Fully farmed eel kabayaki goes on sale to the general public for the first time.

Japan is an island nation in East Asia known for its rich cultural heritage, blending ancient traditions with modern innovation. Its history spans thousands of years, from the imperial court and samurai era to rapid industrialization after the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century. Today, Japan is famous for landmarks like historic temples, shrines, and bustling cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto.

Japan is an island nation in East Asia with a rich cultural heritage that blends ancient traditions with modern innovation. Its history spans from early feudal eras ruled by samurai and shoguns to a period of rapid modernization during the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century. Today, Japan is known for its iconic landmarks like temples, shrines, and bustling cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto.

Oita Prefecture, located on the island of Kyushu, Japan, is renowned for its abundant hot springs, particularly in the city of Beppu, which features one of the world’s largest concentrations of geothermal springs. Historically, the area was part of the ancient province of Bungo and developed as a key cultural and religious center, with sites like the Usa Jingu Shrine, a significant Shinto shrine founded in the 8th century. Today, Oita blends its rich history with modern tourism, offering visitors unique “hell” hot springs (jigoku) and traditional onsen resorts.

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is a vibrant metropolis that blends ultramodern technology with deep historical traditions. Originally a small fishing village named Edo, it became the political center of Japan in 1603 under the Tokugawa shogunate and was renamed Tokyo (“Eastern Capital”) when the Emperor moved from Kyoto in 1868. Today, it is a global hub of culture, commerce, and innovation, featuring landmarks like the Imperial Palace, historic temples, and bustling districts such as Shibuya and Shinjuku.

Kyoto is a historic city in Japan that served as the imperial capital for over 1,000 years, from 794 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. It is renowned for its well-preserved temples, traditional wooden houses, and beautiful gardens, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage. Today, Kyoto remains a major cultural hub, attracting millions of visitors to sites like Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari-taisha, and the historic Gion district.