Don't confuse with 九州 is the southwestern main island of Japan, while 本州 is the largest and central main island, and learners sometimes confuse the two because both share the kanji 州 for 'region/state'.
九州 and 四国 are both smaller main islands of Japan, but 九州 lies to the west/south while 四国 sits between Honshū and Kyūshū, so learners often mix up their locations.
九州 is Japan's southernmost main island while 北海道 is the northernmost, and beginners sometimes confuse them when memorizing Japan's four main islands.
Written forms 九きゅう 州しゅう Usage 100%
Standard kanji spelling for the Japanese island and region Kyūshū.
キュウシュウ Usage <1%
Etymology 九州 literally means “nine provinces” or “nine districts.” The name is traditionally associated with the old provincial divisions of the Kyūshū region.
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