The Japanese Archipelago which forms the country of Japan extends from north to south along the eastern coast of the Eurasian Continent, the western shore of the Pacific Ocean. It consists of more than 1000 islands, including the four Main Islands (in descending order from North to South):

1. Hokkaido (Farthest North)
2. Honshu
3. Kyushu
4. Shikoku (Farthest South; i.e.: Its highest point is farther south than the highest points of all the others)