History
This was the original name of the city of Tokyo.
What is "Edo"?
These doughy balls often have an octopus filling and are cooked in a molded pan.
What is "takoyaki"?
This Japanese city, known for its historic temples and shrines, was the country’s capital for more than one thousand years.
What is “Kyoto”?
This verb ending form, when attached to the dictionary form of a verb, makes it polite.
What is “masu” ?
Beyond just anime and manga, this word describes the broader Japanese subculture and hobbies.
What is “otaku”?
This 17th-century period of Japanese history was marked by over 250 years of peace and stability.
What is "the Edo period"?
This fermented soybean dish is a traditional breakfast staple but is known for its strong smell.
What is "natto"?
This prefecture has the second largest economy, behind Tokyo.
What is “Osaka”?
In Japanese, this word means "foreigner."
What is "gaijin"?
This anime, set in a post-apocalyptic future, focuses on bio-mechanical robots used to fight celestial beings attacking Earth.
What is “Neon Genesis Evangelion”?
The head of the very powerful Oda clan who launched a war against other daimyō to unify Japan in the 1560s
Who is "Oda Nobunaga"?
A hot pot dish which translates to "things stewed in a pot."
What is "nabe"?
This lake is the largest lake in Japan.
What is “Lake Biwa”?
This word refers to the current "era" in Japan.
What is “Reiwa”?
This highly influential manga artist, known for works like "Astro Boy" and "Black Jack," is often referred to as the "God of Manga."
Who is "Osamu Tezuka"?
This "open" policy from 1853 forced Japan to open trade with the West.
What is the "Open Door" policy or the "Treaty of Kanagawa"?
A thick, savory pancake filled with a variety of ingredients, typically cabbage and meat.
What is "okonomiyaki"?
This city in Japan hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics.
What is “Nagano”?
This morphological phenomenon where the initial consonant sound of a word (after a particle) changes due to preceding word or particle, common in native Japanese words.
What is “Rendaku”?
This influential film director, known for works like "Akira" and "Ghost in the Shell," is often regarded as a pioneer in anime and cyberpunk themes.
Who is “Katsuhiro Otomo”?
The first emperor of Japan, traditionally considered the founder of the Japanese Imperial line.
Who is "Emperor Jimmu"?
This Japanese delicacy is made from the liver of a pufferfish and is considered one of the most poisonous foods in the world, requiring chefs to undergo rigorous training before serving it.
What is "Fugu"?
This island is the smallest of the four main Japanese islands.
What is "Shikoku"?
This Japanese word describes the practice of "reading between the lines" to understand the unspoken meaning in a conversation.
What is "read the air" or "kuuki wo yomu"?
Often dubbed the “Queen of J-Pop”, this artist’s career spans over four decades and she’s known for her ever-evolving image, akin to the likes of Madonna in the West.
Who is "Namie Amuro"?