The Japanese raccoon dog, also known as the tanuki, is a species of wild dog that is native to Japan and is famous for its mythical reputation in Japanese folklore.

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.

Niigata is a city located on Japan's western coast, and is known for its delicious seafood, sake, and snow festivals.