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.
That is true. Over the following centuries the power of the Emperor and the imperial court gradually declined and passed to the military clans and their armies of samurai warriors.
That is some great information!  Thank you for the insight!