73 Important Japan Island Names And Places That All Kids Should Know

Abhijeet Modi
Jan 15, 2024 By Abhijeet Modi
Originally Published on Jun 12, 2022
Fact-checked by Naman Khanna
Important Japan island names are Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Hokkaido, Okinawa, Izu Islands, and the active volcano, Mount Aso.
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Age: 0-99
Read time: 7.8 Min

Children should know about various important topics such as the history and culture of countries, important tourist places in different countries, names of inventions and their inventors, and many other topics.

Japan's capital Tokyo is home to a rich art culture which is the island's distinct identity. Tokyo is one of the major cities in the world as well as the most expensive regions in the island's economy. There are several other art islands in Japan.

These art islands include Awashima, Honjima, and Ibukijima. Some of the prominent cities in Japan are Sapporo, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. Other well-known cities in the country are Kobe, Yokohama, Kawasaki, and Chiba.

Here is a list of important Japanese island names and places that all kids should know.

Major Island Names In Japan

Islands are one the most beautiful places to visit and also to reside. Nature lovers will love to be a part of the islands. If you are looking to create a Japan island names map, then here are the names of each island in Japan to help you.

Hokkaido (Middle Chinese origin), meaning, ‘Northern sea circuit’; Hokkaido is a beautiful island that is present in the Japanese archipelago. Hokkaido is the second-largest island in Japan. It is separated from Honshu through the Tsugaru Strait.

Honshu (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘main island or main province’; Honshu is the largest and most populous island with Japan's capital Tokyo located here. Honshu is one of the four main islands of Japan and home to Mount Fuji, it is a well-known mountain across the world.

Kyushu (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘nine provinces’, is the third-largest island and is nearer to the Asian mainland. Kyushu is located in the north-western region of the country. Kyushu is an active volcano located on this island.

Okinawa (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘glazed horned dragon’, that has been derived from the term Okinawan. This is the smallest island and is located near the southernmost part of the country Japan. It is one of the most prominent islands in Japan.

Shikoku (Middle Chinese origin), meaning, ‘four provinces’; Shikoku is the second-smallest island that is situated between Honshu and Kyushu. Shikoku is one of Japan's four main islands.

Largest Japanese Island Names And Places

There are a wide number of islands situated in Japan. There are five major islands in Japan. They are Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Okinawa. Apart from these islands, there are also other islands that are the largest in Japan. Check out the list below to know about the largest Japanese island names and places.

Amami Oshima (Japanese origin), meaning 'big island’, is a semi-major island in the country and the largest island in Nansei Archipelago.

Awaji (Nigerian/African origin), meaning, ‘God’, is an island situated in Japan and one of the major attractions in the country which is known across the world.

Fukue Island (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘blessed well’, is the name of an island in Japan near the Asian mainland.

Hirado (Japanese origin) is an island in Nagasaki in Japan.

Hisaka (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘inclined sun’, is one of the largest islands in Japan.

Iki (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘one scene or one arena’, is a Japanese island and one of a famous attractions.

Iriomote Island (Greek origin), meaning, ‘cat’, is a Japanese island known for its rich culture.

Ishigaki (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘stone, fence, wall’, is an island in Japan and one of the major attractions.

Kamishima (Japanese origin), where Kami means paper, and Shima is derived from Oshima meaning, 'big island’, is a Japanese island.

Miyako-Jima (Japanese and English origin), in which Miyako means child, city, beautiful and has Japanese origin and Jima means to love and is of English origin, is a prominent island region in Japan.

Rishiri (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘high island’, is one of the largest islands in Japan.

Sado (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘assist or help’, Sado Island is a famous national island in Japan. Sado island is one of the smaller islands of Japan.

Shimoshima (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘family name’, is the name of a famous island in Japan near mainland Asia and is one of the well-known Japanese islands.

Tanegashima (Filipino and Japanese origin), in which Tanega is a family name and Oshima means 'big island', is a Japanese island with a rich history and is known across the world.

Tsushima Island (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘correct or right’, is an island in Japan having great importance in national culture.

Yakushima (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘it is a combination of Yaku and Oshima, Yaku means bake and Oshima means largest island’, is the name of a Japanese island.

Islands of Japan are extremely famous across the world.

Imaginary Island Names In Japan From Fiction

There are five main islands in Japan. The names of which have been mentioned. There are also some interesting imaginary islands, the names of which have been used in popular TV shows or movies, or fictional books in Japan. The below list will give you an idea about those imaginary island names in Japan from fiction.

Albasta (Greek origin), meaning, ‘perfume vase’, is a fictional island in the Japanese manga One Piece.

Alola (Indian origin), meaning, ‘firm, steady’, is an imaginary island in Pokémon Sun and Moon.

Angel Island (Greek origin), meaning, ‘being heavenly’, is a fictional island in the Japanese video game Sonic Hedgehog Series.

Cinnabar Island (Greek origin), meaning, ‘bright scarlet to the brick-red form of mercury (II) sulphide’, is a fictional island in the game Pokémon Red and Blue.

Dragon Roost Island (Indian, Greek, and Middle English origin), meaning, ‘dragon means to see and roost means a chicken’s perch’, is an imaginary island in the Japanese game 'The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker'.

Dressrosa is an imaginary island in the Japanese manga 'One Piece'.

Estard, meaning, ‘powerful’ is a fictional island in the Japanese game 'Dragon Quest VII'.

Eventide (Old English origin), meaning, ‘evening time’, is a fictional island in the Japanese video game 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild'.

Great Fish Isle is an imaginary Japanese island in the Japanese video game 'The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker'.

Horai Island (Greek origin), meaning, ‘Goddess of seasons’, is a fictional island in the anime series 'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion'.

Izayoi Island (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘Sixteenth night’, is a fictional island in the anime series 'Stitch'.

Jabberwock is a fictional island in the Japanese series 'Danganronpa'.

Kame House (African origin), meaning, ‘arid’, is an imaginary island in the anime 'Dragon Ball'.

Kitchen Island is a fictional island in the video game 'Wario Land'.

Koholint Island is a fictional island in the Japanese video game 'The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening'.

Monster Island is an imaginary island in the Japanese movie series 'Godzilla'.

Rokkenjima (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘six house island’, is an imaginary island in the Japanese visual novel 'Umineko no Naku Koro Ni'.

Sevii Island (English origin), meaning, ‘she who has heard God’, is a fictional island in a Pokémon frictional universe.

Skypiea Island is a fictional island in a Japanese manga 'One Piece'.

Solgell Island is an imaginary island in the Japanese movie 'Son of Godzilla'.

Southern Island (American origin), meaning, ‘from the South’, is a fictional island in a Japanese animation 'Hetalia: Axis powers'.

Tatsumi Port Island (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘sign of the dragon’, is a fictional island in the video game 'Persona3'.

Tatsumiya Island (Japanese origin) is an imaginary island in the Japanese mecha anime Fafner of the Azure.

Tenrou Island (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘palace and wolf’, is a fictional island in the Japanese manga 'Fairy Tail'.

Tingle Island (Old English origin), meaning, ‘meeting or court’, is an imaginary island in the game 'Nintendo Gamecube' released in Japan.

Uzo Island (African-Nigerian origin), meaning, ‘road is good’, is a fictional island in the fantasy-based video game 'Phantasy Star II'.

Water Seven is a fictional island in the Japanese manga 'One Piece'.

Wedge Island (Old English origin), meaning, ‘triangularly shaped’, is an imaginary island in Wii Sports Resort.

Wuhu Island (Chinese origin), meaning, ‘weedy lake’, is a fictional island in Wii Sports Resort.

Yoshi’s Island (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘good luck’, is a fictional island from a game that was released in Japan.

Island Names Of Japan In Other Languages

The names of the Islands of Japan have various meanings in it. The meanings they carry in different languages have been mentioned in the list below. You can check the list and get acquainted with the Island names of Japan in other languages.

Aoshima (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘Blue Island’, is a beautiful Japanese island.

Enoshima (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘Island of the bay’, is a wonderful island in Japan.

Hashima (Arabic origin), meaning, ‘Breaker’, is a Japanese island.

Ikema (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘pool or reservoir’, is a Japanese island.

Kume Island (Indonesian origin), meaning, ‘morning star’, is a beautiful island in Japan.

Minami Torishima (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘Southern Bird Island’, is a beautiful island in Japan. It is also known as Marcus Island.

Ogami (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘big heart or worshipped’, is a Japanese island.

Ogasawara Islands (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘plain of the small bamboo hat’, is a Japanese island nicknamed as Galapagos of the orient which is Ogasawara Islands.

Rebun (Hebrew origin), meaning, ‘a son, behold’, is a Japanese island.

Tashiro Island (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘the act of peeping and taking sneak shots’, is an island in Japan nicknamed as Cat Islands.

Ukushima (Japanese origin), meaning, ‘blessed island’, is an amazing Japanese island.

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Written by Abhijeet Modi

Master of Computer Science

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Abhijeet ModiMaster of Computer Science

An experienced and innovative entrepreneur and creative writer, Abhijeet holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Computer Application from Birla Institute of Technology, Jaipur. He co-founded an e-commerce website while developing his skills in content writing, making him an expert in creating blog posts, website content, product descriptions, landing pages, and editing articles. Passionate about pushing his limits, Abhijeet brings both technical expertise and creative flair to his work.

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Fact-checked by Naman Khanna

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

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Naman KhannaBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

An English literature graduate from Delhi University, Naman's broad interests include mathematics, science, and social science. With his knowledge and expertise in multiple subjects, he is an asset to our fact-checking team. Naman is set to pursue his postgraduate degree in English literature soon.

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