Comparison of regions of Japan

The **Comparison of regions of Japan** highlights differences and similarities. The regions of Japan are a  of historical divisions and modern administrative needs".

## Geography and culture
The geography and administrative subdivisions of Japan have evolved and changed during the course of its history. Since the late-7th century, the regions of Japan have been grouped according to geographic position.

In the Meiji period, the modern regional system was made by Imperial decree. Japan was divided into regions (*chihō *). A regional council (*chihō gyōsei kyōgisai*) was headed by the governor of the most powerful prefecture in the regional . The council also included regional chiefs of central government ministries.
In this time, political development is marked by persistent loyalty to region and .

## Kansai region
The Kansai region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison.

### Kinai 
Since the late-7th century, the *Kinai* region, also known as *Go-Kinai*, included the "Five Home Provinces" which surrounded the old capital city of Kyoto. In 645, *Kinai* was created as part of the Taika Reform. These lands are also called the Kansai region or Kinki.

### Table: Kansai region 
## Kantō region
The Kantō region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison.

### Table: Kanto Region 
## Tōhoku region
The Tōhoku region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison. *Hokurikudō* also names a road which connects the provincial capitals of this region on the island of Honshū.

### Table: Chūbu region
## Chūgoku region
The Chūgoku region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison.

### San'yōdō
Since the late-7th century, the ''San'yōdō'' region or "Mountain-sun Circuit" was made up of provinces on south or 'sunny' side of the mountains.

### Table: Shikoku region
## Kyūshū region
The Kyūshū region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison.

Since the late-7th century, the *Saikaidō* region or the "West-sea Circuit" was made up of the 9 provinces of the Kyūshū region. *Saikaidō* also names a road which connected the provincial capitals of this region.

After 1878, the region included the Ryukyu Islands.

### Table: Kyūshū region
## Hokkaidō region
The Hokkaidō region is used as a basic framework for description and comparison.

In the late 19th-century, the *Hokkaidō* region or "North Sea Circuit" was made up of the 10 provinces of Yezo. The Kurile Islands became an 11th northern province which was added in 1875.

### Table: Hokkaidō region
* Oshima, 1869-1882
** southern Oshima Subprefecture
** southern Hiyama Subprefecture
* Shiribeshi
** most of Shiribeshi Subprefecture (excluding Abuta District)
** northern Hiyama Subprefecture
* Iburi, 1869-1882
** entire Iburi Subprefecture
** Yamakoshi District, in Oshima Subprefecture
** Abuta District, in Shiribeshi Subprefecture
** Chitose and Eniwa cities, in Ishikari Subprefecture
** Shimukappu village, Kamikawa Subprefecture
* Ishikari, 1869-1882
** most of Ishikari Subprefecture (excluding Chitose and Eniwa cities)
** entire Sorachi Subprefecture
** southern Kamikawa Subprefecture (excluding Shimukappu village)
* Teshio, 1869-1882
** entire Rumoi Subprefecture
** northern Kamikawa Subprefecture
* Kitami, 1869-1882
** entire Sōya Subprefecture
** most of Abashiri Subprefecture (excluding part of Abashiri District)
* Hidaka, 1869-1882
** entire Hidaka Subprefecture
* Tokachi, 1869-1882
** entire Tokachi Subprefecture
* Kushiro, 1869-1882
** entire Kushiro Subprefecture
** part of Abashiri District, in Abashiri Subprefecture
* Nemuro, 1869-1882
** Nemuro Subprefecture
* Chishima, 1869-1882 (the islands of Kunashiri and Etorofu, later included Shikotan and the Kuril Islands)

## Related pages
* Provinces of Japan
* Prefectures of Japan
* List of regions of Japan
* List of islands of Japan
* Gokishichidō

## References