Japanese Cities in the Four Main Islands Quiz

Answer: Hokkaido

Sapporo is the most populated city in Hokkaido, located in the southwest of the island. The city is famous for its beer and winter sports. The annual Sapporo Snow Festival is held over seven days in February at Odoi Park, Susukino and Tusodome. It was the first Asian city to host the Winter Olympic Games, in 1972.

Answer: Hokkaido

Hakodate is port city located in Oshima Subprefecture in the southern part of the island. It is the third biggest city in Hokkaido after Sapporo and Asaikawa. The city is overlooked by Mount Hakodate (334m) of which the summit can be reached by hiking, cable car or car.

Answer: Hokkaido

Asahikawa is the second-largest city in Hokkaido, located in north-centre of the island. The city is well-known for its zoo, ramen and ski resort. It is one of the coldest Japanese cities with a lowest temperature of −41.0 °C recorded.

Answer: Hokkaido

Otaru is a small port city located about half an hour by train northwest of Sapporo. The city faces Ishikari Bay and the Sea of Japan. It has a beautifully preserved canal area and interesting herring mansions.

Answer: Honshu

Hiroshima is located in southern Honshu. The city was founded in the 16th-century as a castle town on the Ota River delta. It was the first city to suffer an atomic bomb, on August 6, 1945. The city was rebuilt after the war to become the biggest city in Chugoku region. Hiroshima Peace Memorial was the only structure that survived the bombing. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Answer: Honshu

Kobe is the third-largest port city after Tokyo and Yokohama. It is located in the Kansai region on the southern side of Honshu. On January 17, 1995, the city was hit a magnitude 6.9 earthquake which killed more than 6,000 people and made than 212,000 people homeless. Every December, an event named the Luminare is held, where the city is decorated with illuminated metal archways.

Answer: Honshu

Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 794 before it was shifted to Kyoto. It is the sixth-largest city in the Kansai region in Honshu. Kasugayama Primeval Forest together with eight temples, shrines and ruins, collectively known as the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Answer: Honshu

Yokohama is the second-largest city and the largest port city in Japan. It is located on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo in the Kanto region. The city is the high-tech industrial hub in Greater Tokyo. In 1859, it was the first city to open for trade with the West. The 2002 FIFA World Cup final between Brazil and Germany was hosted by the city at the International Stadium Yokohama.

Answer: Honshu

Nagano is located in the Nagano Basin in the central Chubu region. The city is surrounded by mountains of which the highest peak is Mt. Takatsuma (2,353 m), near the confluence of Chikuma River. It was the second city in Japan to host Winter Olympic Games, in 1998.

Answer: Kyushu

Officially founded in 1889, Kagoshima is located at the southwestern tip of Kyushu. It is nicknamed the "Naples of the Eastern world" for its bay location, the hot climate and close location to Sakurajima, an active volcano that faces Kinko Bay. It is fourth-largest city in Kyushu.

Answer: Kyushu

Fukuoka is the largest city in Kyushu, founded in the same year as Kagoshima. The city is located in the north of Kyushu, along Hakata Bay and is bordered on three sides by mountain. Due to its location which is the nearest point to the Asian mainland, the city is considered as a gateway to Japan.

Answer: Kyushu

Nagasaki is the second-largest city in Kyushu, located in western Kyushu at the mouth of the Urakami River where it empties into Nagasaki Harbor. In the 16th century, Portuguese explorers founded the port of Nagasaki. From the 16th to 19th centuries, it was the sole port for trade with Portuguese and Dutch. It was the second Japanese city to suffer atomic bombing, on August 9, 1945.

Answer: Shikoku

Takamatsu is the second-largest city in Shikoku. It is the capital of Kagawa Prefecture and a port city in northern Shikoku. It serves as the gateway to the many beautiful islands in the Seto Inland Sea. A convenient base for tourism in the region, the city boasts many attractions of its own.

Answer: Shikoku

Matsuyama, the largest city in Shikoku, is located in central Ehime Prefecture, facing the Seto Inland Sea to the north, the mountains of the Takanawa Peninsula to the north and east, and the Saragamine Mountain Range to the south. It is known for its hot springs, among the oldest in Japan. The favourite tourist spot is Matsuyama Castle.

Answer: Shikoku

Kochi, the third-largest city in Shikoku, is a scenic city on the southern coast surrounded by beautiful mountains, facing the Pacific Ocean to the south. It has a warm climate and long sunlight hours. Kagamigawa River runs through the city.