The Himeji Castle in Himeji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful and well-preserved castles in Japan.

The Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 and subsequent tsunami devastated Japan's northeast coast and caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Judo, a martial art that emphasizes throws and grappling techniques, was developed in Japan in the late 19th century and has become a popular sport around the world.