Japanese cuisine is a reflection of the country's geography, climate, and culture, and is influenced by a variety of factors including Buddhist dietary restrictions, seasonal availability of ingredients, and regional traditions

The Japanese macaque, also known as the snow monkey, is the northernmost-living non-human primate and is famous for its habit of bathing in hot springs during the winter.

The 16th century saw the rise of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who were instrumental in unifying Japan under a centralized government.