The 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack by the Aum Shinrikyo cult shocked Japan and led to increased scrutiny of religious groups.

The Shiretoko National Park in Hokkaido is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination for wildlife watching, with opportunities to see brown bears and rare bird species.

Japan has more than 5 million vending machines, including ones that sell bananas, underwear, and even canned bread.