In the 12th century, the samurai class emerged in Japan, with warriors serving as protectors for the aristocracy.

The Muromachi period, which lasted from the 14th to the 16th century, was a time of great artistic and cultural achievement, including the development of tea ceremony and the Noh theater.

The Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Nikko is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a famous example of traditional Japanese architecture.