Japan is an intriguing blend of the traditional and ultramodern. The ancient temples and shrines that can be found across the country’s many islands speak to Japan’s long-established customs, spiritual traditions, and religions, including Shintoism and Buddhism.
Japan’s dense and huge urban areas, in contrast, symbolize the country’s focus on the future—exemplified by the towering skyscrapers, high-speed trains, neon streets, cutting-edge technology, and globally influential youth subcultures.