I love the people of Japan. They a very rich cultural history and heritage
I have never been able to travel there.  I am intrigued by their religious life of Buddhism and Shinto.
 History of Japan KaiIchiranzu1806.jpg Periods[show] Topics[show] Glossary Timeline vte Part of a series on the Culture of Japan Red disc centered on a white rectangle History People Languages Traditions[show] Mythology and folklore[show] Cuisine Festivals Religion[show] Art[show] Literature[show] Music and performing arts[show] Media[show] Sport[show] Monuments[show] Symbols[show] Organisations[show] Flag of Japan.svg Japan portal vte The first human habitation in the Japanese archipelago has been traced to prehistoric times. The Jōmon period, named after its "cord-marked" pottery, was followed by the Yayoi in the first millennium BC, when new technologies were introduced from continental Asia.
I have never considered Buddhism a "religion", though. I feel it is more of a lifestyle than religion
True. Japan's many kingdoms and tribes gradually came to be unified under a centralized government, nominally controlled by an Emperor.
But over the years, the power of the Emporor declined and was power was taken by the military clans and the armies.