Free Tool
Japan Prefecture Map Quiz
Tap around the map to meet all 47 prefectures — kanji names with readings, capitals and famous places — then switch to Quiz: spot the highlighted prefecture, or name it from its shape alone.
Tap a prefecture to see its name, reading, and capital. Ready? Switch to Quiz.
Nothing selected yet — tap any prefecture on the map.
Okinawa is shown in an inset box closer to the mainland than it really is, and small outlying islands are simplified for clarity.
Can you read the prefecture names?
Every name above is written in kanji with its reading. Our kanji course teaches you to read them for real — mnemonics included.
Prefer a guided quiz? Read the explainer and take the culture quiz →
FAQ
How many prefectures does Japan have?
47. One metropolis (Tōkyō-to), one “circuit” (Hokkaidō), two urban prefectures (Ōsaka-fu and Kyōto-fu), and 43 regular prefectures (ken).
What is the difference between 都, 道, 府 and 県?
They are historical suffixes for prefecture-level areas: 都 (to) marks the capital Tokyo, 道 (dō) survives only in Hokkaidō, 府 (fu) marks the urban prefectures Osaka and Kyoto, and 県 (ken) is used by the other 43. Administratively they work almost the same today.
What are Japan's eight regions?
Hokkaidō, Tōhoku, Kantō, Chūbu, Kinki (also called Kansai), Chūgoku, Shikoku, and Kyūshū–Okinawa. They are traditional groupings, not administrative units — but weather reports, travel guides and news broadcasts all assume you know them.
Why is Okinawa drawn in a box?
The real Okinawa is about 650 km southwest of Kyushu — drawing it in place would make the map mostly ocean. Like most Japanese maps, we move it into an inset box; the dashed line marks the cut.