本 土(ほんど)

ほんど

noun

mainland

1. mainland

The main body of a country's territory, as opposed to islands or overseas territories.

本土(ほんど)に戻(もど)る。

To return to the mainland.

To fly from Okinawa to the mainland.

The climate differs between the mainland and remote islands.

It takes three hours to cross from the mainland to the island by boat.

Things that you can't get on the mainland are sold in abundance on this island.

本土(ほんど) means the main landmass of a country, as opposed to islands, overseas territories, or outlying areas.

In Japan, 本土(ほんど) usually refers to the four main islands (本州(ほんしゅう), 北海道(ほっかいどう), 九州(きゅうしゅう), 四国(しこく)) as opposed to 沖縄(おきなわ) or 離島(りとう) (remote islands). This usage is especially common in Okinawa, where people distinguish between 本土(ほんど) and their own islands.

本州(ほんしゅう): Honshu (the largest of Japan's main islands)
離島(りとう): remote island
内地(ないち): mainland (older term, sometimes used in Hokkaido and Okinawa to refer to Honshu)

Related Words

core

Added 2026.1.16 16:45 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

05500/05500_hondo