Understand Japan

Japan Today

The stubborn economy, increased civic engagement and an influx of tourists are making headlines.

History

Follow Japan's path from the age of shogun and samurai through to the destruction of WWII.

The People of Japan

What it means to be Japanese on the archipelago today.

Japanese Cuisine

A primer on the diverse spread of tastes that await you in Japan. Get ready to eat your heart out.

Arts

From ikebana and kabuki to modern-day manga and cinema, Japan excels in the arts.

Architecture

Wooden temples, feudal castles, traditional gardens and Pritzker Prize–winning architects.

Traditional Japanese Accommodation

For an authentic Japanese experience, spend the night in a ryokan, minshuku or shukubō.

Sport

See the crowds go wild for sumo, baseball, soccer and martial arts.

Living Art of the Geisha

Japan's geisha, skilled in traditional music and dance, are aesthetes of the first degree.

Environment

Japan is defined by its seas, mountains and ever-present seismic and volcanic activity.