The Japanese language is written using three scripts: kanji (Chinese characters), hiragana, and katakana (both phonetic scripts).

During the Edo period, which lasted from the 17th to the mid-19th century, Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate and experienced a period of peace and stability.

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