Rice is a staple of Japanese cuisine and is often served with a variety of dishes.

Karashi, a type of spicy mustard, is often served as a condiment with Japanese dishes such as sushi and grilled meat.

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.