While there is evidence the archipelago has been occupied by humans for around 35,000 years, what we know now as ‘Japan’ began to take shape about 1700 years ago as disparate tribes started to unify. Over the centuries, Japan has alternated between feudal, empirical, religious and government rule, with each period birthing different styles of art, architecture and spirituality.

It’s difficult to discuss the emergence of modern Japan without talking about WWII, as it played a large and damaging role in the worldwide conflict. The Empire of Japan surrendered unconditionally to the Allies in September 1945 after the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and was subsequently forced to rename itself as just ‘Japan’. Following the war, the nation faced the prospect of rebuilding and reinventing in the second half of the 20th century. This led to the Japan of today, a nation of technology-led metropolises and a new wave of culture in the form of arts and food.

There are two dominant religions in Japan: Shinto and Buddhism. New-age culture plays a large part in modern Japan with the rise of fashion, manga (Japanese comics) and gaming culture in the 21st century. However, Japan’s traditional cultural practises of tea ceremonies, bowing, kendo, geisha and sumo still live on.

Read more about religion in Japan

Read more about festivals in Japan