Traditions & Customs
This spring tradition in Japan involves viewing cherry blossoms with friends and family.
What is Hanami?
This famous filmmaker directed Spirited Away and co-founded Studio Ghibli.
Who is Hayao Miyazaki?
This Japanese dish uses vinegared rice combined with seafood or vegetables.
What is Sushi?
This is the main language spoken in Japan.
What is Japanese?
This city is the capital of Japan.
What is Tokyo?
This traditional Japanese garment is often worn during festivals and ceremonies.
What is a Kimono?
This Japanese author wrote the popular novel Norwegian Wood.
Who is Haruki Murakami?
This noodle soup dish often includes pork broth, noodles, egg, and sliced pork.
What is Ramen?
This Japanese writing system is based on Chinese characters.
What is Kanji?
This historic Japanese city served as the imperial capital for over 1,000 years.
What is Kyoto?
This traditional tea ceremony emphasizes harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.
What is the Japanese Tea Ceremony?
This artist is famous worldwide for her polka-dot art installations and sculptures.
Who is Yayoi Kusama?
This dish consists of seafood or vegetables that are battered and deep-fried.
What is Tempura?
These two phonetic writing systems are used along with Kanji in Japanese writing.
What are Hiragana and Katakana?
This famous Japanese mountain is the highest in the country and an important cultural symbol.
What is Mount Fuji?
This Japanese sport, where large wrestlers try to force each other out of a ring, has ancient religious roots.
What is Sumo?
This Japanese baseball star became famous playing for the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels.
Who is Shohei Ohtani?
This Japanese dish is made from fermented soybeans and is commonly eaten for breakfast.
What is Natto?
This Japanese word means “thank you.”
What is Arigatō?
This historical period from 1603 to 1868 was ruled by powerful military leaders called shoguns.
What is the Edo Period?
This Japanese festival celebrates ancestors and often includes lanterns and traditional dances.
What is Obon?
This Japanese inventor founded a major electronics company known for cameras and printers.
Who is Takeshi Mitarai of Canon?
This Japanese dish features grilled chicken skewers often sold at festivals and street stalls.
What is Yakitori?
This polite phrase means “good morning” in Japanese.
What is Ohayō gozaimasu?
This event in 1945 ended World War II after atomic bombs were dropped on two Japanese cities.
What is the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?