The Heian period, which lasted from the 8th to the 12th century, was a time of great cultural and artistic achievement in Japan.

The compact disc (CD) was co-invented by Philips and Sony in the 1980s and has since replaced vinyl records as the primary means of music storage.

The Japanese are known for their love of vending machines, which can be found on nearly every street corner and sell everything from snacks to underwear.