Japanese Culture

Food

100

This is a Japanese noodle you eat cold in summer.

Somen

200

This food is made with rice, seaweed, and filling inside. It’s easy to carry.

Onigiri

300

This is a thick Japanese pancake with cabbage and meat.

okonomiyaki

400

This soybean paste is the main ingredient in a popular Japanese soup.

miso

500

This is a soft food that forms on the top of heated soy milk.

yuba

Clothes

100

This Japanese clothing brand is famous all over the world.

Uniqlo

200

This is worn by Junior High School and Highschool students at school.

seifuku

300

These are socks with a space for the big toe, worn with traditional shoes.

tabi

400

This style of kimono is often worn by single women and has long sleeves.

furisode

500

Men wear this skirt-like clothing for formal events with kimono.

hakama

Festivals

100

On May 5th, we fly carp streamers for boys. What is the festival?

Children's Day

200

This is the festival where people visit shrines at the start of the year.

hatsumode

300

This festival celebrates the moon and uses dango as an offering.

Tsukimi

400

Held in January in Fukushima Prefecture, this fire festival is meant to ward off evil and pray for health in the coming year.

Taimatsu Akashi

500

This is a summer festival in Fukushima showing big straw sandals.

Waraji Matsuri

Symbols

100

This flower blooms before sakura and is white or pink.

Plum or Ume

200

This animal is a symbol of good luck and waves its hand.

maneki neko

300

This folding paper art is known around the world.

origami

400

This gate is found at the entrance of a Shinto shrine.

torii

500

This is a symbol of long life and is found in Japanese art. It has a shell and a tail.

Turtle or kame

Music and Dance

100

This is a song we sing every year for someone’s special day.
We sing it with a cake!

Happy Birthday!

200

We hit it with sticks to make loud, powerful sounds.
It is used in festivals and performances.

taiko

300

This is a morning exercise for kids and adults.
We move our arms and legs like exercise.

radio taisou

400

This is a dance we do in a circle during Obon season.
People wear yukata and clap their hands.

Bon Odori

500

This small drum is played by hand.
It is used in Noh and Kabuki plays.
It makes a high-pitched sound.

tsuzumi