Because "samurai in Americas" and "Native Americans with samurai-esque armor" are ideas too awesome to pass up. This idea is inspired both by phildup's magnificent TL and by this thread.
Since somebody already started a TL similar to this idea, but with the Chinese, I think I might explore another possibility: this time with Japan. I know it's a bit of a stretch, but I refuse to believe that this is outright ASB.
So...
When are the best possible timeframes, before 1492, for Japan to discover the Americas themselves and somehow set up colonies there? The Kurile-Alaska route would be the most easiest route, obviously. But assuming the Japanese explorers become curious enough to go further, how long before they reach OTL US Northwest or even California?
Have your own ideas? Feel free to discuss here.
Since somebody already started a TL similar to this idea, but with the Chinese, I think I might explore another possibility: this time with Japan. I know it's a bit of a stretch, but I refuse to believe that this is outright ASB.
So...
When are the best possible timeframes, before 1492, for Japan to discover the Americas themselves and somehow set up colonies there? The Kurile-Alaska route would be the most easiest route, obviously. But assuming the Japanese explorers become curious enough to go further, how long before they reach OTL US Northwest or even California?
Have your own ideas? Feel free to discuss here.