Japan is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic monuments of ancient Kyoto and the island of Itsukushima Shrine.

The Japanese green pheasant, also known as the "kiji," is the national bird of Japan and is often depicted in Japanese art and folklore.

Astro Boy, created by Osamu Tezuka in 1963, is considered the first modern anime and helped to popularize the genre both in Japan and around the world.