Hokkaido
Sign in to saveis the second-largest and northernmost of Japan's four main islands. Together with its surrounding islands, it comprises the largest and northernmost prefecture, making up its own region. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu. The two islands are connected by railway via the Seikan Tunnel.
AI overview
Hokkaido is Japan's second-largest and northernmost main island, forming the country's largest prefecture along with its surrounding islands. It is separated from the main island of Honshu by the Tsugaru Strait but connected to it by the Seikan Tunnel railway.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Settlement.parts_type
- Subdivisions
- Settlement.parts_style
- para
- Settlement.p1
- Districts: 74
- Settlement.p2
- Municipalities: 179
- Settlement.governing_body
- Hokkaido Legislative Assembly
- Settlement.leader_title
- Governor
- Settlement.leader_name
- Naomichi Suzuki
- Settlement.area_total_km2
- 83,423.84
- Settlement.area_water_percent
- 6.4
- Settlement.area_rank
- 1st
- Settlement.population_total
- 4,991,369
- Settlement.population_as_of
- January 31, 2026
Article
42 sectionsContents
- Names
- History
- Early history
- Feudal Japan
- Meiji era
- Colonization of Hokkaido
- World War II
- Present
- Geography
- Flora and fauna
- Geologic activity
- Parks
- Climate
- Temperature comparison
- Administrative divisions
- Subprefectures
- Municipalities
- Cities
- Towns and villages
- Major cities and towns
- Gallery
- Population
- Economy
- Transportation
- Education
- Senior high schools
- Colleges and universities
- Culture
- Sports
- Sumo
- Winter festivals
- Politics
- Governor
- Assembly
- National representation
- International relations
- See also
- Notes
- Citations
- Explanatory notes
- General references
- External links
is the second-largest and northernmost of Japan's four main islands. Together with its surrounding islands, it comprises the largest and northernmost prefecture, making up its own region. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu. The two islands are connected by railway via the Seikan Tunnel.
The largest city on Hokkaido is its capital, Sapporo, which is also its only ordinance-designated city. Sakhalin lies about to the north of Hokkaido. To the east and northeast are the Kuril Islands, which are administered by Russia. The four most southerly are claimed by Japan. Hokkaido's position on the northern end of the Japanese archipelago results in a colder climate, with the island seeing significant snowfall each winter. Despite the harsher climate, it serves as an agricultural breadbasket for many crops.