The Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 and subsequent tsunami devastated Japan's northeast coast and caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

The Hakone Ekiden, a long-distance relay race held annually between Tokyo and Hakone, is one of the most prestigious races in Japanese college athletics.

Kyoto is a historic city in central Japan that is known for its many temples, shrines, and gardens, and is a popular destination for traditional Japanese culture.