Hachiko’s story of loyalty went worldwide more than 90 years ago. Also known as Hachi, his story was made into two films: in Japanese, “Hachi-ko,” in 1987, and an American version, “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale,” starring Richard Gere, in 2009.
Nearly an entire gallery of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is devoted to the display and explanation of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer’s now-famous works, “Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window.”
This shrine, built in 1792 during the reign of King Jeongjo, is where the 64th descendant of Confucius, Gong Seorin, retired and lectured students for the rest of his life.
Peasants living in Shimazu lands were allowed to practice archery only when seated because their feudal overlords feared they might use their bows to rebel.
Miyazaki prefecture, on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, is the perfect place to enjoy locally made shochu. A recent press tour stopped at four distilleries to see how the beverage is made.
The looming, gray, 60-story skyscraper stands in juxtaposition to its name, Sunshine City. But while the building may look like a villain’s lair from a comic book, it is a shopping and entertainment center that can keep visitors occupied all day.
Legend has it that Emperor Jimmu, a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu and the storm god Susanoo, founded Japan in 660 B.C. His accession is marked each year as National Foundation Day on Feb. 11.
