The instant noodle, invented by Momofuku Ando in 1958, has become a staple food item in many countries around the world.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, created by Nagaru Tanigawa in 2003, is a popular light novel series and anime that explores themes of existentialism, time travel, and alternate realities.

Japan has a fascination with mascots, and there are thousands of them representing everything from cities to prisons.