Encapsulating everything that springs to mind when you think of Japan holidays, Honshu is the main island of the Japanese archipelago. Home to its capital and many of its best-known cities and cultural sights, the island is considered by many to be the sacred heart and cultural hub of the nation. The second most populous island in the world (after Indonesia’s Java) and home to 81% of Japan’s population, it is here that many visitors get their first glimpse of cherished traditions, captivating scenery and the striking contrast of tradition and modernity for which Japan is famous.
Mega Cities
Many of Japan’s best-known cities can be found on Honshu. Tokyo, one of the world’s largest cities, is a city where the contrast of old and new can be most easily found; sky-scrapping towns, neon lights and quirky districts famous from fashion or technology sit side by side with tranquil shrines, traditional gardens and quaint residential streets. Kyoto, ancient imperial capital, is the image of classical Japan and a place to experience age-old traditions. Wander historical districts lined with old wooden buildings, discover timeless shrines, temples and gardens, and explore things like tea ceremonies, kimonos and geisha culture. Hiroshima is a city that needs little introduction, today shining as a beacon of peace and resilience, while Osaka, considered Japan’s commercial heart, has a relax and outgoing vibe and a strong food culture.
While these might be the most well-known, there are plenty more Honshu cities to explore – Nara, for its ancient history, Kobe, known for its beef, Yokohama, a pioneering port city and Sendai, the ‘City of Trees’, to name just a few.
Natural Beauty
Within its rugged coastline, Honshu boasts a remarkable diversity of landscapes, including fertile plans, volcanos, mountains and river valleys. Among all this natural beauty you’ll find Japan’s most iconic landmark, Mount Fuji. Fuji’s near symmetrical cone has been a source of artistic and spiritual inspiration for centuries and is a sacred, enduring symbol of the nation – a sight not to be missed when you’re exploring!
Beyond Fuji you’ll find the breathtaking landscapes of the Japanese Alps, which run through the centre of the island. Within stretches of alpine forest there are old castles such as Matsumoto, traditional towns like Takayama, onsen resorts and ski resorts to discover, plus, close to the onsen town of Yudanaka, you can find the famous Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys, who have adopted a hot spring pool of their own to play and bathe in and are a delight to observe.
Honshu is an island of four season and does each beautifully! From the cherry blossom filled parks in the spring, the vibrant red and yellows of temple gardens in autumn, to the dramatic snow-capped mountains peaks of the winter, Honshu is most definitely a place to explore year-round.
Glorious food
Japan is well-known for the freshness, balance and seasonality of its food so with Honshu consisting of five different regions, each with a unique character and climate, it’s no surprise that each has its own specialities. Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world and is renowned for its sushi; Kyoto’s food is shaped by tradition and refined presentation; Hiroshima boasts its own version of okonomiyaki, Kobe’s beef is famous, and Osaka has earned itself the moniker ‘Japan’s kitchen’ thanks to its street food culture. Make sure you head to Honshu hungry!
