Prehistoric Japan refers to the time before written records, spanning from around 30,000 BCE to 300 BCE. This era is divided into several periods, including the {Jomon} period, known for its distinctive pottery and hunter-gatherer lifestyle, and the {Yayoi} period, which saw the introduction of rice farming and metal tools. During the {Jomon} period, people lived in small communities, relying on fishing, hunting, and gathering. The {Yayoi} period marked significant cultural changes, including the arrival of new technologies and social structures. These developments laid the foundation for the later historical periods of Japan.