Sapporo is the largest city on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, and is known for its winter sports and beer.

The Heian period, which lasted from the 8th to the 12th century, was a time of great cultural and artistic achievement in Japan.

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.