Discover Honshu – Island Guide (Ep. 43)
Welcome everyone to the Real Japan podcast. Today we’re doing a deep dive into well the heart of it all. Honu. Yeah. Japan’s main island. If you’re planning a trip, you you pretty much can’t avoid it. Exactly. It’s the epicenter. But we want to go a bit beyond just pointing it out on a map. We’re going to try and distill why Honchu really is the main event and crucially how you can actually navigate its well massive scale. It is massive. If you’re talking about the world’s seventh largest island, home to over 104 million people, that’s what over 80% of Japan’s entire population. It’s the political, cultural, the economic engine room. So, our goal today is sort of a shortcut. We want to give you a quick understanding touching on the famous spots, sure, but also pointing you towards maybe some more rewarding hidden gems, places outside that standard Tokyo Kyoto loop. And what’s really interesting is despite all those people, because it’s so big, there are just countless beautiful, you know, barely known historical spots, natural areas just waiting, right? Because the big cities get all the focus. So, the real payoff is knowing which little corners to look for. And if you stick with us today, we promise we’ll uncover one region in particular that, well, even some locals might shrug off a bit, but it offers some absolutely spectacular, really unspoiled scenery and and historical treasures. You’ll definitely want to stick around to hear where you can find that sort of unfiltered Japan away from the main tourist hubs. And just a quick note before we jump in, we’ve put together a pretty comprehensive guide based on everything we’re discussing. It’s got photos, videos, links to resources, all that good stuff. Yeah, you can find the link for that complete guide right there in the description. Super helpful if you’re actually planning. Okay, so let’s unpack the scale first. We mentioned seventh largest island. That’s 88,000 square miles. It’s huge. It really is. And to make sense of it, people usually break it down into five distinct regions. They run sort of northeast down to southwest. You got Tohoku up north, Chubu in the middle, Kanto, which is, you know, Tokyo’s region. Then Kai, sometimes called Kinki, that’s where Kyoto and Osaka are. Yeah. And Shugoku out west towards Hiroshima. And yeah, all the big names are here. Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Yokohama, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Kobe, even Mount Fuji sits right here on Honu. It’s all concentrated. Now, one thing that always comes up with such a big place is getting around. Japan’s known for its trains, but isn’t the system like incredibly complex? All the different passes, the local lines. That’s a fair point. It can seem overwhelming at first, but the flip side is incredible efficiency. Honu has the biggest rail network in the country and the Shinkansen, the bullet train. Well, that’s the backbone. Makes getting between cities pretty easy, then uniquely easy, I’d say. And logistically for flying in, all the main international airports are right here, too. Narita and Haneda for Tokyo. Right. And Kai International near Osaka. Exactly. Plus, Chubu Centr near Nagoya. So, you can land almost anywhere in Honchu. and be connected immediately. And Honchu acts as the hub for reaching the other islands, too. Yeah, totally. Bridges connect down to Shikoku. You’ve got the Shin Kanan tunnel taking the Shinkansen under the sea to Kyushu. And then up north, the huge Sikin tunnel, also undersea, goes straight up to Hokkaido. You really are at the geographical crossroads of Japan when you’re on Honchu. Okay, so that massive size about 810 mi north to south also means something else pretty cool. Four distinct seasons. Absolutely. You get the full spectrum. Proper snowy winters up north, almost subtropical conditions down in the southwest. It means there’s basically a perfect time to visit Honchu no matter the month. So spring, March to May roughly, that’s obviously cherry blossom season, right? Sakra, ideal for being outdoors. Peak season for that. Yeah. Then if you look at autumn, September to November, that’s after the main typhoon risk usually passes. You get those stunning fall colors, great hiking weather. in winter December through February. Well, you’ve got Siri skiing in the Japanese Alps and Chubu and further north in Tohoku, but maybe more universally, it’s just the best time for soaking in and on sand, those natural hot springs. Nothing beats it in the cold. We should probably mention the trickier weather times too though for planning purposes. Yeah, good point. Yeah, the rainy season that su generally hits from June through mid July can be quite damp and typhoons. They’re most likely between August and September, right? Doesn’t mean you can’t travel then, but you just need to be aware and flexible. Okay, so we know how to get around. We know about the seasons. Let’s dive into some of the key places. Tokyo first. It’s what everyone pictures, right? The neon, the crowds, the energy. It is that definitely frantic, kinetic, dazzling, noisy. Yeah, all true. But the key thing to remember is Tokyo isn’t all of Japan. And even within Tokyo, there are layers. Layers. How so? Well, you can find surprising pockets of calm. you know, little temples, quiet residential streets, especially if you head a bit east away from the major hubs like Shinjuku or Shibuya and specific things to do beyond just soaking up the atmosphere. Tons depending on your interests. You could catch a Grand Sumo tournament if you time it right. They’re held there in January, May, September, or head out to Mitaka for the Gibli Museum, which is just magical. Needs booking way in advance for Giblly, though, right? Oh, yeah. Definitely. But worth it. The trick with Tokyo is just to look beyond the obvious. Maybe follow a niche interest. Okay, then let’s shift gears completely. Kyoto, former capital cultural heart. The contrast is huge, isn’t it? Kyoto is all about history, temples, gardens. It’s beautiful, undeniably. But the crowds, we hear about the crowds constantly now. They’re legendary, especially at the famous spots like Fushimari or Kiomi. The real secret to Kyoto isn’t necessarily avoiding those places altogether. What then? Go super early. That’s part of it. Yeah, a 6:00 a.m. start can make a world of difference. But also maybe head a bit further out. Go north to Kamigamo Shrine. It’s much quieter. Or even better, find some of the hidden walks like hiking. Exactly. You can take a local train out to Uji, famous for tea, and then hike up into the hills to find these really remote, beautiful shrines like Himokai Jingo. That’s how you find the deeper Kyoto, away from the selfie sticks. That sounds amazing. And then just a quick train ride away from Kyoto. Osaka. Yeah. Like half an hour on the Shinkansen. Osaka is well, it’s Kyoto’s louder, more boisterous cousin. That’s its hair down, you know, and famous for food, right? Japan’s kitchen. That’s the one. It’s a total food lovers paradise, right? Less about fancy kiiseki dinners, more about incredible street food and casual eats. You af have to try the local stuff. Like what? Give us the mustries. Okay. Takoyaki. Those little grilled octopus balls. Crispy outside, gooey inside. Amazing. In okonomiyaki, it’s like a savory pancake, but that doesn’t do it justice. You can customize it with all sorts of fillings cooked right in front of you. Sounds dangerous for the waistline. Uh-huh. Possibly. And kushi, too. Deep fried skewers of meat, veg, all sorts. It’s just fun, delicious food. Osaka also has a bit of historical charm with its last remaining tram line, the Hongai tramway. A nice little throwback. Okay, my mouth is watering now. Uh just a reminder here for everyone listening if you want the full details on these cities like specific restaurant tips for Osaka or those Kyoto walks remember the complete guy has all that links in the description right so moving west from Osaka you eventually reach Hiroshima which is obviously a very different experience a place that demands reflection the peace memorial museum the park it’s powerful it really is you need to give it time slow down it’s an essential part of understanding modern Japan I think absolutely and nearby by you also have the famous Itsukushima shrine with that iconic Tory gate seemingly floating in the Sato Inland Sea at High Thai Yojima Island. Yeah, stunning. But after the somnity of Hiroshima, sometimes you need a bit of a perspective shift. And that’s where your recommendation comes in. Anomi. Yes, I really think people should build in at least half a day for Onomichi. It’s this fantastic little port city built on steep hillsides overlooking a working harbor. It feels incredibly real, like authentic Japan, if you know what I mean. Less polished, more lived in. Exactly. Often overlooked by tourists rushing between Hiroshima and Nokayama. Plus, it’s the starting point for the Shimanikaido. Ah, the cycling route. Yeah, that amazing bike path across six islands in the Stoland Sea. Even if you just do the first section from Onomichi, it’s spectacular. Okay, so we’ve hit some big names. Now, let’s talk about that overlooked region you mentioned earlier, the one that often gets missed. Right, we’re heading north now. Gootohoku, the whole northeastern chunk of Honshu. And why is it overlooked? Historically, it was seen as a bit remote, a bit of a harsh backwater, maybe colder climate, more rural. So, it just doesn’t feature on many standard itineraries. But that’s our loss. You’re saying completely that very isolation means its rural landscapes are stunning and it rewards exploration. You find these incredible hidden treasures like the Zhoden mausoleum complex near Sai which is just breathtaking and Sai itself it’s an attractive city feels much less overwhelming less globalized in Tokyo more uh traditionally Japanese in feel. Are there specific seasonal draws in Tohoku? Oh absolutely. If you’re there in springaki Castle Park has maybe the most spectacular cherry blossoms in the entire country. Yeah. Seriously rivals Kyoto or Tokyo. Wow. And in summer, Almori City has the Nabuta Matsuri. This massive vibrant festival with huge illuminated floats. It’s incredible. And for nature lovers, yeah, inland Tata Hachimai National Park is just stunning. Mountains, lakes, forests, it’s proper wilderness. It was actually designated way back in 1936, so it’s long been recognized for its beauty. Sounds like a perfect escape from the city bustle. But maybe there’s something for people who want history and relaxation, but closer to the main Canai hub. There is. Yeah. A real gem called Kinosaki Anen. Anson. So hot springs again. Exactly. But this isn’t just a town with hot springs. The whole town is the hotring experience. It’s about 1300 years old. Located maybe 90 miles or so north of Kyoto. 1300 years. Yeah. It’s amazing. And it really captures this deep sense of nostalgia for like old Japan. How does it manage that? Strict planning laws passed down through generations. They’ve preserved the look and feel of the central village, especially along the Willowlin canal. It genuinely looks much as it might have centuries ago. People wander between the different public bathous and yukata robes and wooden ghetto sandals. Sounds incredibly atmospheric. It is. It’s the perfect place for just a short really relaxing break. Slow down, soak in the history, soak in the baths. A real step back in time. Fantastic. Um, just one last reminder here, folks. All these places from Tohoku’s parks to Kinosaki’s charm are detailed with practical info in that complete guide. The link is waiting for you in the description. So if we sort of pull it all together, what Honu offers is this amazing combination, isn’t it? Yeah. You’ve got the sheer logistical ease with the trains and airports. You’ve got four distinct seasons offering totally different experiences. Then you have the worldclass high energy cities like Tokyo and Osaka right alongside the deep history of Kyoto and Hiroshima. And crucially, even close to those busy areas, you have these boundless opportunities to find quiet historical pockets. Places like Onomichi or Kinosaki, they’re not actually that far off the beaten path physically, but feel worlds away. Honu really does give you the full spectrum of Japan on one island. You can literally go from hyper modernity to ancient tradition, from subtropical beaches to snowy mountains, sometimes just within a few hours on the Shinkansen. It’s pretty remarkable. It really is. Well, thank you so much for taking this uh this deep dive into Honchu with us today on the Real Japan podcast. My pleasure. And maybe a final thought for you to ponder that commitment to tradition we mentioned. Think about what it actually takes for a town like Kinosakien 1300 years old to consciously maintain its historic character and those strict planning rules in today’s world. That level of dedication over centuries, it’s quite something. It really makes you think. And uh if all this talk has you ready to stop just thinking and actually start planning your own trip. Yes. If you need some help crafting that perfect Japan itinerary tailored just for you. We do invite you to check out the travel planning services. There’s a link for that right in the description as well. Definitely worth a look if you want some expert guidance. We’ll catch you on the next deep dive. Safe travels.
SEE THE GUIDE ► https://www.therealjapan.com/destinations/islands/honshu/
GET MY HELP ► https://www.therealjapan.com/services/
FREE JAPAN TRAVEL BULLETIN ► https://www.therealjapan.com/subscribe/
Honshu is Japan’s largest island and contains most of the country’s best-known cities and destinations. It’s here you’ll find Tokyo, Kyoto, Yokohama, Hakone, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Niigata, Himeji and Mt. Fuji. But its size and geographic diversity also means there are hundreds of barely known spots, making getting off the beaten path easy and rewarding.
AloJapan.com