Takamatsu is a city located on the island of Shikoku, and is known for its beautiful gardens, udon noodles, and art museums.

The Yokohama F. Marinos, a professional soccer team based in Yokohama, is one of the most successful teams in the J.League, having won several championships.

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