Borrowed Japanese
Japanese, Chinese, or Korean?
Japanese Cities
Japanese Cuisine
Japanese History
Japan and Film
100
In Japanese this word refers to round cushions filled with natural fibers, but Westerners use the word to refer to a mattress that folds to take the form of a couch.
What is "futon?"
100
This man.
What is Korean?
100
This Japanese city is known for its top-tier wagyu, and is home to one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts, Arima Onsen.
What is Kobe?
100
This fermented soybean paste can be white, yellow, or red, and is commonly used in Japanese soups and sauces. (You ate the red kind tonight if you had the vegetarian ramen.)
What is miso?
100
The ordering of surrender of the three Axis powers to conclude World War 2.
What is Italy, Germany, and Japan?
100
Mr. Miyagi taught Daniel this art, which translates as "tray planting."
What is bonsai?
200
A Japanese term that translates literally to "place of the way", and originally used to refer to a hall for Buddhist meditation and self-discovery; In English it is commonly used to describe a location such as where Neo and Morpheus might do some training.
What is "dojo?"
200
The game Mahjong.
What is Chinese?
200
Just south of Tokyo, this city is Japan's 2nd largest city by population and is known for its rich history as a gateway to international trade, its massive Chinatown, and its modern waterfront.
What is Yokohama?
200
Made from bread without crusts, this style of breading has a crisper, airier texture than most types of breading found in Western cuisine.
What is panko?
200
During the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the imperial capital of Japan was relocated from this city to the city of Edo, which was renamed to Tokyo (meaning "Eastern Capital").
What is Kyoto?
200
Primarily set in Tokyo, one main character in this film visits the city of Kyoto.
What is Lost in Translation?
300
This English word is applied to a wealthy business leader, and comes from a Japanese word that means "great prince" or "high commander."
What is "tycoon?"
300
The hangul writing system.
What is Korean?
300
Japan's 3rd largest city by population, known as the "kitchen of the world", and celebrated for its bold street food, vibrant nightlife, and the castle shown below.
What is Osaka?
300
If you begin with nigiri and remove the rice, you get this specific delicacy (not sushi).
What is sashimi?
300
Only three days after the detonation of a uranium bomb over Hiroshima on Aug 6 1945, this element fueled the atomic bomb that was detonated over Nagasaki.
What is plutonium?
300
The subtitle of the Fast and Furious film that takes viewers deep into the neon-soaked underground street-racing culture of Japan's capital city.
What is Tokyo Drift?
400
In Japanese, this word is a wide belt to secure a kimono, and was borrowed by George Lucas to partially name a significant character in his ground-breaking 1977 film.
What is "obi?"
400
The culinary dish shabu-shabu.
What is Japanese?
400
Japan's 4th largest city by population, this city is known for its samurai heritage and is conveniently centered between the tourist destinations of Tokyo and Kyoto.
What is Nagoya?
400
The critical component of the sushi roll shown below, in order for it to be called "sushi."
What is rice?
400
The name of Japan’s current imperial family dynasty, considered the oldest continuing monarchy in the world.
What is Yamato?
400
Both a Japanese word that means "drifter" or "wanderer" and that refers to a masterless samurai, and the title of a Robert De Niro movie.
What is Rōnin?
500
This word is used in English to describe someone who teaches martial arts such as karate, but in Japanese it means a teacher, in general.
What is "sensei?"
500
The lucky cat's origins.
What is Japanese?
500
The capital of the northern island Hokkaido, and Japan's 5th largest city by population, this city is globally renowned for its world-class winter sports, and hosts an annual snow festival that draws millions to view massive, intricate snow and ice sculptures.
What is Sapporo?
500
This Japanese noodle is often made with buckwheat and can be served hot or cold.
What is soba?
500
The grandson of Genghis Khan, this Mongol ruler attempted to invade Japan in the 13th century.
Who is Kublai Khan?
500
A 2021 Oscar-winning drama that follows an aging theater director dealing with grief while working in Hiroshima.
What is Drive My Car?