The Allied occupation of Japan following World War II brought about major political and social changes, including the drafting of a new constitution and the abolition of the samurai class.

The Hakone Ekiden, a long-distance relay race held annually between Tokyo and Hakone, is one of the most prestigious races in Japanese college athletics.

The Japanese wood pigeon, also known as the "tekura," is a species of pigeon that is native to Japan's forests and is known for its distinctive cooing call.