In the 17th century, going to Japan was punishable by death!

Many of us are charmed by Japanese culture and dream to go to Japan one day.

Fortunately for us, we are allowed to go to Japan at any time, unlike the 17th century, since that time, going to Japan was punishable by death. Indeed, no stranger could enter japan, Japanese and no one is allowed to leave the country under pain of death.

This policy was adopted by the Tokugawa shogunate under Tokugawa Iemitsu (the third shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate who reigned from 1623 to 1651). The policy remained in effect until 1853 and it is the arrival of the black ships of Commodore Matthew Perry forced Japan to open to Western trade.