The first novel ever written, The Tale of Genji, was written in Japan in the 11th century by a noblewoman named Murasaki Shikibu.

Soba, a type of thin noodle made from buckwheat flour, is a popular Japanese dish that is often served cold with dipping sauce.

The Shinto religion, which emphasizes the worship of nature and ancestors, is indigenous to Japan and is still practiced by many people today.