The Japanese crested ibis, also known as the "toki," is a critically endangered bird that is native to Japan and is considered a symbol of good luck.

Karaoke, a popular form of entertainment in Japan, originated in Kobe in the 1970s.

The 16th century saw the rise of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who were instrumental in unifying Japan under a centralized government.