Kobe is a port city on Japan's western coast, and is known for its beef, hot springs, and scenic views of the sea and mountains.

Astro Boy, created by Osamu Tezuka in 1963, is considered the first modern anime and helped to popularize the genre both in Japan and around the world.

Japan has hosted several major international sporting events, including the 1964 Summer Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.