Nihon: The True Name of Japan

Did you know “Japan” isn’t Japan’s real name? Discover the meaning, history, and origin of Nihon (日本), the true name of Japan the “Land of the Rising Sun.”

🌅 Introduction

When most people think of Japan, they imagine Tokyo’s neon lights, Mount Fuji’s serene beauty, and ancient temples surrounded by cherry blossoms.
But few know that “Japan” isn’t the country’s real name. In Japanese, the nation is called 日本, pronounced Nihon or Nippon.
Let’s explore what Nihon really means, where it came from, and how the name “Japan” became known worldwide.

🈶 What Does Nihon (日本) Mean?

The word 日本 is made up of two kanji characters:

  • 日 (ni) → means “sun”

  • 本 (hon) → means “origin” or “root”

Together, 日本 (Nihon) literally means “Origin of the Sun.”
This is why Japan is often called “The Land of the Rising Sun.”

🏯 How Nihon Became Japan

During the 7th century, Japan began formal diplomatic relations with China.
At that time, Japanese envoys referred to their country as Nihon, meaning “the place where the sun rises.”
From China’s perspective, Japan lay to the east where the sun comes up hence the name was both poetic and geographical.

When this name traveled west through trade routes, Chinese and Malay merchants pronounced it differently. The Portuguese and later Europeans heard it as “Jippon” or “Jipan,” which eventually evolved into the English word “Japan.”

📜 A Short History of the Name

  • 7th Century: First official use of Nihon in historical records.

  • Marco Polo (13th Century): Described the islands as Cipangu (from the Chinese pronunciation).

  • 16th Century: Portuguese traders began using the word “Japan.”

  • Today: Japanese people still say Nihon or Nippon, especially in formal settings or national symbols — like Nippon Airlines or Nihon University.

🗾 Nihon Today: Pride and Identity

For Japanese people, Nihon represents more than just a name it carries deep cultural pride.
It connects the nation to its spiritual roots, geography, and the symbolism of the rising sun, a motif seen on Japan’s flag and in many traditional designs.

So next time you visit Tokyo, Kyoto, or Yokohama, remember that you’re walking through the land known to its people as 日本 Nihon, the origin of the sun. 🌅

✈️ Plan Your Journey to Nihon

Experience the true Nihon with a private guided tour from ancient temples in Kamakura to the futuristic skyline of Tokyo.
Book your custom travel experience with Japan Travel Tour today and discover the beauty, culture, and meaning behind this remarkable country.