noun
mainland; country proper; home territory
Refers to the main landmass or central territory, as opposed to islands, remote territories, colonies, or overseas areas. In Japanese contexts it often means mainland Japan as opposed to outlying islands.
島から本土へはフェリーで一時間かかる。
It takes one hour by ferry from the island to the mainland.
台風は今夜、本土に上陸する見込みです。
The typhoon is expected to make landfall on the mainland tonight.
noun
native country; country of birth; homeland
A less common use for the country one comes from or was born in; in modern everyday Japanese, 祖国, 故国, or 生まれた国 are often more natural depending on context.
古い文章では、「本土」が生まれた国、つまり故国を指すことがある。
In older writing, 本土 can refer to the country where one was born, in other words one's homeland.
noun
Pure Land; Buddha realm
Buddhist terminology for a Buddha's land or realm, especially a pure land; this is a specialized religious use and not the everyday geographic meaning.
この経典では、阿弥陀仏の本土が清らかな仏の国として描かれている。
In this sutra, Amida Buddha's realm is depicted as a pure Buddha land.
Means the home country or metropolitan state, especially in contrast with colonies or overseas branches; it overlaps with the 'country proper' side of 本土 but does not usually mean a physical mainland.
Sino-Japanese compound of 本, 'main' or 'original,' and 土, 'land' or 'soil.' The spelling transparently supports the meanings 'main land' and, in Buddhist use, a Buddha's land or realm.