History/Geography
Art Form
Language
Food
People/Places
100
What body of water separates Japan from mainland Asia?
The Sea of Japan
100
What is a Japanese comic book called?
Manga
100
Count to 10 in Japanese.
いち (ichi)
に (ni)
さん (san)
し、よん (shi, yon)
ご (go)
ろく (roku)
しち、なな (shichi, nana)
はち (hachi)
く、きゅう (ku, kyuu)
じゅう (juu)
100
What soup is staple to Japanese cuisine?
Miso soup
According to Wikipedia, 75% of all Japanese people consume miso soup at least once a day
100
This person taught us to give thanks to a no longer needed item before discarding.
Marie Kondo
The thank you is a way to express gratitude to your belongings for taking care of you.
200
Why did the Mongol invasions of Japan by Kublai Khan fail?
Hint:
Kamikaze (divine winds) - Winds that were believed to be sent from God to protect the Japanese from enemies.
-Was a massive typhoon that obliterated the Mongol fleet thus forcing them to retreat from Japan
200
What is the syllable pattern of a haiku poem?
5-7-5 - Though it sometimes varies.
行春や 鳥啼き魚の 目は泪
Yuku haru ya/ Tori naki uwo no/ Me wa namida
Spring is passing.
The birds cry, and the fishes’ eyes are
With tears.
*”Spring is passing” often means an eternal parting. The birds and the fishes mean Basho and his friends.
200
How do you say please and thank you?
ください Kudasai
ありがとうございま Arigatōgozaimasu
200
What is nattō?
Fermented soybeans
- Has a strong flavour and smell as well as a sticky texture but has many good health benefits
- Within Japan, nattō is most popular in the eastern regions, including Kantō, Tōhoku, and Hokkaido.
200
What city is the Peace Memorial Museum located in?
Hiroshima
The purpose of the museum is to memorialize the victims of the atomic bombing and also to advocate for world peace by perpetuating the memory of nuclear horrors.
300
Japan is located in a volcanic zone called the __________________________.
Ring of Fire
300
What is the traditional art of pruning and growing miniature trees?
Bonsai - “planted in a container”
Originated from the Chinese art of penjing but was redesigned as a distinct style of Japanese technique
300
What are the colours of the rainbow in Japanese?
*Can skip indigo
Aka あか 赤 - Red
Orenji オレンジ - Orange
Kiiro きいろ 黄色 - Yellow
Midori みどり 緑 - Green
Ao あお 青 - Blue
Murasaki むらさき 紫- Purple
300
Why is fugu, Japanese pufferfish, considered dangerous if not prepared properly before serving?
Fugu contains one of the world's most potent toxins, tetrodotoxin.
Fugu chefs undergo at least 2 years of training before becoming licensed to remove the toxic parts of the fish.
300
Who is Hayao Miyazaki and name three of his creations?
He is an animation director.
*Choice of any three films*
400
What is the purpose of the Kyoto Protocol?
It sets out strategies to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases.
400
Traditional flower-viewing celebration
Hanami
Though hana means flower, the only flower being viewed are sakura (cherry blossoms). People gather and have picnics under these cherry trees that bloom in late March.
400
Which kanji means "left" and which means "right"?
右 左
400
What do they call conveyer belt sushi?
Kaitenzushi
Sushi is presented on plates that are placed on a rotating conveyor belt that goes around the restaurant and moves past every customer, allowing them to take whatever dish they want. The bill is based on the plate amount and type which have different designs based on sushi price.
Customers may also place special orders that are directly delivered such as on a miniature bullet train stopping at their table.
Some restaurants have used miniature wooden "sushi boats" traveling on small canals too.
400
What is the average life expectancy of Japanese people?
~85 years
500
What is the social ranking of the Japanese feudal system?
Emperor, Shogun, Daimyo, Samurai, Peasants, Artisans, Merchants
Shoguns took over the power between 1192–1867 and created a shogunate military government.
500
A type of drama, with male performers only, that combines melodramatic singing, dancing with elaborate costumes and heavy makeup.
Kabuki
Thought to have originated with female performers in 1603 but became male only when females were banned from performing in kabuki theatres in 1629.
500
What do each of these kanji mean?
Haru (Spring), Natsu (Summer)
Fuyu (Winter), Aki (Fall)
500
Why is soba traditionally eaten on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day?
Because the long noodles symbolizes longevity, and the biting them represents severing your link with the hardships of the previous year.
This is called toshikoshi (‘year crossing’) soba.
500
What district in Tokyo Japan is known as the center of Japanese youth culture and fashion?
Harajuku
Streets of clothing boutiques, cafés and thrift stores.
