盆地(ぼんち)

ぼんち
noun
basin (geographical)
1. basin, valley basin
A low-lying area of land surrounded by higher ground, typically mountains or hills.
京都(きょうと)は盆地(ぼんち)なので、夏(なつ)は蒸(む)し暑(あつ)い。
Kyoto is in a basin, so summers are humid and hot.
この盆地(ぼんち)は稲作(いなさく)に適(てき)している。
This basin is suitable for rice cultivation.
盆地(ぼんち)は周(まわ)りを山(やま)に囲(かこ)まれている。
The basin is surrounded by mountains.

盆地(ぼんち) refers to a geographical basin - a low area surrounded by higher terrain. The name comes from 盆(ぼん) (tray/basin shape).

Famous basins in Japan:

  • 京都(きょうと)盆地(ぼんち) (Kyoto Basin)
  • 奈良(なら)盆地(ぼんち) (Nara Basin)
  • 甲府(こうふ)盆地(ぼんち) (Kofu Basin)

Climate characteristics:

  • Hot summers (heat gets trapped)
  • Cold winters
  • Large day-night temperature differences

Related terms:

  • 平野(へいや) (plain - flat but not surrounded by mountains)
  • 谷(たに) (valley - narrower than a basin)

Related Words

Related: 平野(へいや) (plain)
general
Added 2026.1.13 20:59 · Revised 2026.2.2 16:51
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