Karaoke, a popular form of entertainment in Japan, originated in Kobe in the 1970s.

Shonen Jump, a weekly manga magazine published by Shueisha, has been a major influence on the development of anime and manga culture in Japan, and has produced many popular anime series such as Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Naruto.

Kumamoto is a city located on the island of Kyushu, and is known for its historic castle and beautiful gardens.