This region of Japan combines Hokkaido, the northernmost island of the Japanese archipelago and the second largest, with the northern part (Tohoku province) of its neighbour, the largest and principal island of Honshu. Both areas have a rural, rugged terrain and majestic scenery, and are comparatively untouched by tourism. There are also some big differences, however - Hokkaido has a Siberian climate, for example, whilst northern Honshu is generally more temperate.