Hokkaido is the largest of Japan’s 47 prefectures, at 83,422.22 km². It was named in 1869, from a name suggested by the explorer Matsuura Takeshiro.
Largest prefectureNamed in 1869
北海道Hokkaido
Area
83,422.22 km² (1st of 47)
Islands
1,473 (2nd of 47)
Old name
Ezochi
Kind
“do” (the only one)
Area as of April 1, 2026 and islands from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. Name from the Hokkaido Government.
The largest prefecture
Hokkaido covers 83,422.22 km², the largest of the 47 prefectures. We worked out that this is about 22% of Japan’s land.
It has 1,473 islands, the second most after Nagasaki.
How it got its name
The land was called Ezochi. On August 15, 1869, a government notice said that Ezochi would from then on be called Hokkaido, and divided it into 11 provinces.
The explorer Matsuura Takeshiro is said to have given the name. In 1869 he offered six names. One was “Hokkaido” written with the characters “北加伊道”; the “加伊” was changed to “海” (sea), which made “北海道”.
Matsuura explained that “kai” was what the people living there called themselves.
What “do” means
A “do” was an old kind of region, used from the late 7th century. The land was divided into five home provinces and seven “do”, such as Tokaido. Each “do” held several provinces.
Hokkaido is the only prefecture called a “do” today.
Think about it
Q1Hokkaido is about 22% of Japan’s land. How would you check this with the numbers on this page?
Q2Why do you think the new name used the word “do” from the old regions?
Q3Is there a place in your country whose name came from the people who lived there?
There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.
Did you know? — In 1869 Matsuura Takeshiro offered six names for the island. “Hokkaido” came from one of them.