Geography Challenge 5
Japan Geography Challenge
Overview
This activity challenges you to read and interpret
physical and population maps to learn how geography
affected the settlement of Japan.
Working in pairs, you answer questions while labeling
a map of Japan.
Afterward, you discuss critical thinking questions
related to your completed map.
Objectives
• use maps to identify and label physical
features and population regions of Japan.
• discuss how physical features may have
affected the settlement of Japan.
Geography Challenge Handout 5
Japan Question 1
Label the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean.
In what two ways might the seas have influenced Japan’s history?
The seas may have provided food to a country with limited
agricultural land. They might also have protected Japan from
foreign invaders.
Japan Question 2
Label Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu, and Hokkaido.
Which of these islands do you think became the center of power in Japan? Why?
Honshu probably became the center of power in Japan. This
island is centrally located and has the most land to be used
for agriculture.
Japan Question 3
Label the Chugoku Mountains, the Japanese Alps, and the Hidaka Mountains.
What effect do you think these mountains had on Japan’s efforts to become a
united country?
The mountains might have allowed small, independent
kingdoms to develop.
Japan Question 4
Which percent—90%, 60%, or 15%—do you think best expresses the amount of
land Japan can use for agriculture?
How might the amount of agricultural land in Japan affect what is grown or raised
there?
15%; Answers will vary, but a crop that produces a large
yield for a relatively small area (such as rice) would be more
likely to be grown in such an area.
Japan Question 5
Label Nara and Kyoto.
Nara and Kyoto were two ancient capitals. Why do you think they were good
locations for a capital?
Nara and Kyoto were good locations for capitals because
they were centrally located.
Japan Question 6
Use four colors to show on your map the number of people per square mile that
live in Japan. Fill in the key to explain the meaning of your colors.
Where do most people live in Japan?
Most people in Japan live along the coast.
Japan Question 7
Label the Kanto Plain.
Why do you think the Kanto Plain is the most populated area in Japan?
The Kanto Plain may be the most populated area in Japan
because it is the largest flat area, which makes agriculture
easier, and is centrally located.
Japan Question 8
Look at the map on page 423 of your book. List two of Japan’s neighbors.
How do you think these neighbors might have affected Japan’s history?
China, Korea, and the Philippines are Japan’s neighbors.
They could have been areas Japan tried to conquer or
cultures from which Japan borrowed ideas.