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.