The Heian period, which lasted from the 8th to the 12th century, was a time of great cultural and artistic achievement in Japan.

The Hells of Beppu in Beppu, a city on the island of Kyushu, are a series of hot springs that are too hot for bathing, but are a unique and interesting sight to see.

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