Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Web Japan: Japan Atlas
Learn about Japan's historic sites, natural beauty, culture and contemporary society. Search by topic or by region in Japan. You can watch slide shows about major Japanese cities or take virtual tours of historic sites like the Shurijo...
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Web Japan: Japan Fact Sheet
This site actually provides a number of "fact sheets" on a range of topics related to Japan's geography, government, economy, culture, society, and sports. Read online or download handy PDF documents for classroom use. The site has...
Other
National Diet Library, Japan: Portraits of Modern Japanese Historical Figures
Portrait photographs of nearly two hundred Japanese statesmen, government officials, military officers, businesspeople, artists, and others who had an impact on the history of modern Japanese society. Each portrait is accompanied by a...
PBS
Pbs: Japan Memoirs of a Secret Empire
A rich site that tells of an ancient kingdom of warriors, tradesmen and artists that would influence the modern world.
Globe Tracks
Travel for Kids: Fun Things to Do in Japan
"Kids already know a little about Japan if they collect Pokemon cards or buy Hello Kitty. Japan may seem very "modern," but it has a long history of tradition deeply embedded in everyday life." This site explores the geography and...
Yale University
The Opening of Japan to the West
Site offers wonderful illustrations of Perry's expedition to Japan with brief descriptions.
Other
National Diet Library: Birth of the Constitution of Japan
A site on the development of the constitution of Japan with descriptions of the major political figures and summaries of some of the documents.
Ohio State University
The Early Modern Warrior: Three Explorations of Samurai Life [Pdf]
Tokugawa Ieyasu was the first shogun to unite and bring peace to Japan. His early life and rise to power is documented in this essay. Requires Adobe Reader. [PDF]
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: Japan: Images of a People
Young scholars learn to view Japanese paintings, they make a screen, and they learn about the culture of Japan. There are three lesson plans and all allow all needed materials to be downloaded.
Other
Kantei: Constitution and Government of Japan
This site from Kantei gives you the fundamental structure of the government of Japan. It also has a chart of the organization of the government. There is page where you can read the constitution of Japan.
Other
Famous Personages in Japan
This site includes information about a number of famous people in Japan. Designed by a Japanese college to help people learn about modern Japan.
Other
Famous Personages in Japan
This site includes information about a number of famous people in Japan. Designed by a Japanese college to help people learn about modern Japan.
Other
National Diet Library, Japan: Portraits of Modern Japanese Historic Figures
Features portrait photographs of 350 modern Japanese historical figures including statesmen, businessmen, scholars, artists, and military figures. View by category or name.
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Web Japan: Nipponia
Nipponia is an online magazine, published quarterly, that introduces modern Japan to people all over the world. Browse articles on life and culture, travel and history, science and technology, art and entertainment, nature and geography,...
Other
The Structural Reform of the Japanese Economy
This is the "Action Plan" for The Program for Economic Structure Reform, adopted by the cabinet. It goes into detail of how they will go about improving the economy of Japan with the year 2001 as their goal.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Military Camp Jacket
How was this jacket used? The military camp jacket (jinbaori) was worn over a suit of "modern equipment" or tosei gusoku armor. Though some jackets had sleeves, many were sleeveless vests like this one. The camp jacket offered protection...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Utagawa Kunisada I, Visiting Komachi
"Visiting Komachi" by Utagawa Kunisada I is one of the images in the series "Modern Beauties as the Seven Komachi". Each scene in Kunisada's "Seven Komachi" series relates a story or anecdote associated with Komachi's life. View pictures...
Curated OER
Japan guide.com: Trains
Meiji Restoration included a modernizing the transportation system beginning with trains. This site describes how that took place.
Curated OER
Unesco: Japan: Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu
Five hundred years of Ryukyuan history (12th-17th century) are represented by this group of sites and monuments. The ruins of the castles, on imposing elevated sites, are evidence for the social structure over much of that period, while...
Other
Mishima Yukio Cyber Museum
This "cyber museum" of material about Mishima's life and writings accompanies the building of a new museum dedicated to Mishima in Yamanakako. This site has a detailed timeline which combines events in Mishima's life with events in...
Curated OER
Code of the Samurai: A Modern Translation of the Bushido Shoshinsu
This Japanese guide book site offers general information and history on the samurai, the warrior class of feudal Japan.
Curated OER
Japan guide.com: Trains
Meiji Restoration included a modernizing the transportation system beginning with trains. This site describes how that took place.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Japanese Literature
Wikipedia provides detailed information on the history, forms, and authors of Japanese literature. Includes external links and hyperlinked terms.
Curated OER
Portion of a Modern Wood Block in the Ukiyo E Style
An exhibition review on the Japanese art form Ukiyo-e. Very nice images and history of this art form with an interpretation of an historical link of Japan and the Western world.