Geography
Arts & Fashion
Food
Manners/Etiquette
History and Society
100
What is the highest point in Japan?
Mt. Fuji at 3776 m.
100
This neighborhood in Tokyo is considered to be an Asian fashion capital, emerging such styles as lolita, ganguro, kogal, and bosozoku.
Harajuku
100
What is the most popular soup in Japan, served with a majority of meals, made from soybeans and dashi broth?
Miso soup
100
Instead of shaking hands, what gesture do Japanese people do when greeting people, introducing themselves, and thanking others?
Bowing
100
According to a 2018 survey, what is the most practiced religion in Japan?
Shinto (with 69%. Just exceeds Buddhism which is at 66.7%)
200
Which of the main islands of Japan is the largest?
Honshu
200
What is the name of this famous Japanese painting?
The Great Wave off Kanagawa
200
This food, sometimes called the national dish of Japan, was adapted from Indian cuisine by Meiji soldiers. It is made with hearty vegetables such as carrots and potatoes, as well as meat, and is typically served with rice. What is this food?
Japanese curry/curry rice
200
Which accessory/clothing are you supposed to take off before entering a Japanese house?
Shoes
200
What is often not allowed in onsens/hot springs in Japan, due to association with the yakuza
Tattoos
300
What was the city of Tokyo called prior to becoming the nation’s capital?
Edo. It was renamed when it became the capital in 1868.
300
Which art form did Zen Buddhists in Japan use as a form of meditative practice?
Calligraphy
300
How is mochi, the popular glutinous rice dessert, traditionally made?
a) A whisk, b) A machine, c) a mallet, d) a hockey stick.
A mallet!
300
What do you say before starting to eat a meal?
Itadakimasu
300
What is the name of the current era in Japan?
Reiwa. Emperor Naruhito became emperor on May 1st, 2019 after his father abdicated, beginning the Reiwa era.
400
What is the international population rank of Japan? (Japan is the ______th-biggest country in the world by population.)
11th! (Between Mexico and Ethiopia, with a population of over 125 million.)
400
What is the name of the casual cotton style of kimono that is often worn to summer festivals?
Yukata
400
This Japanese food is definitely an acquired taste! What do you call these sticky fermented soybeans known for their strong smell and flavor?
Natto
400
According to chopstick etiquette, this move is taboo, because it is how food is offered to the dead.
Sticking your chopsticks straight up into your food.
400
What is the national anthem of Japan?
Kimi ga yo; His Imperial Majesty's Reign
500
Japan is divided into administrative areas called the to-do-fu-ken. How many of these are there?
47. 1 to (Tokyo-to), 1 dou (Hokkaido), 2 fu (Kyoto-fu, Osaka-fu), and 43 ken (prefectures)
500
Name one of the 4 main types of traditional Japanese theater.
Noh/kyogen (spiritual drama), kabuki (dance and musical theatre), bunraku (puppetry), yose (spoken drama).
500
This popular Japanese breakfast literally means “grilled egg”, and is an omelette with eggs rolled several times in a pan.
Tamagoyaki
500
This important business element is presented in a ritualistic manner compared to the US - you should hand it to your colleague with respect, holding it out flat with no information being covered by your fingers. What is it?
Business card/meishi
500
Who is the current prime minister of Japan?
Fumio Kishida