noun
Honshu; Honshū
The largest of Japan's four main islands; a proper noun used in geography, travel, and everyday conversation.
本州は日本の主要な島の中で一番大きい。
Honshu is the largest of Japan's main islands.
来月、本州の北の方へ旅行する予定です。
Next month, I plan to travel to the northern part of Honshu.
From 本 (hon, 'main') + 州 (shū, 'province, state'), literally 'main province'. The name reflects its historical and geographical centrality.