Japan has a fascination with mascots, and there are thousands of them representing everything from cities to prisons.
The 16th century saw the rise of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who were instrumental in unifying Japan under a centralized government.
Wagyu beef, a type of high-quality beef that is known for its marbling and tenderness, is a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine.