Trying to get down to more than the basics of all things Nippon, but most of these really are insanely brutal. Warning: there are over 150 in this set.
Questions
Adding the suffix ‘hyo’ will extend it to the programme of bouts that take place during the day of a tournament. What is a single sumo match called?
TORI-KUMI
Having cards that depict the shamisen, parasol and tea ceremony among other typically Japanese fare, which card game set in Japan involves you currying favour with geishas?
HANAMIKOJI
What Japanese concept says beauty is not just about the seen, but also the unseen? Examples include gazing on a boat that disappears behind an island or contemplating the flight of geese lost behind a cloud.
YUGEN
Difficult to translate, which Japanese word expresses the effect of sunlight filtering through the trees?
KOMOREBI
The first part of the word referring to the ‘public face’, which Japanese concept embodies the country’s spirit of hospitality and involves providing excellent public service without expecting anything in return? It was mentioned during their candidacy for the 2020 Olympics.
OMOTENASHI
A word also used to describe a meld in mahjong, what Japanese concept refers to the ‘face’ that you present to someone, which may involve showing respect to elders and most definitely your boss?
MENTSU
Translating to something like ‘roots around’ or ‘turning on its roots’, what Japanese term refers to pre-meetings where a decision is made, rather than the meeting where it is announced?
NEMAWASHI
Having a place in Zen buddhist teachings, what Japanese term calls for endurance in seemingly unbearable situations, all the while showing patience with dignity? Good luck trying to extend this to preventing the self-flagellation that occurs when you miss that sitter of a question.
GAMAN
Definitely a potential cause for confusion, which Japanese term means a person must exercise restraint and act reserved, particularly during conversation so that they are perceived as polite? For example, an invitation may be declined even though they want to accept, simply because they think it will put someone at an inconvenience.
ENRYO
Having been used by Wangari Matthai to highlight the amount of unncessary environmental waste, what term is used in Japanese culture to express regret when something has not been used to its full potential?
MOTTAINAI
Also giving its name to a 1914 children’s song that has been sung by Placido Domingo, which Japanese term is used to refer to one’s hometown?
FURUSATO
A kind of respectful yearning and aspiration for some ideal, perhaps being envious of another individual’s way of life, which Japanese concept gives its name to a 1970 manga and a 1986 associated live action TV drama by the same name?
AKOGARE
A term that is difficult to translate, what is a bittersweet emotion of seemingly endless pain, characterised by sadness, nostalgia and a realisation that everything is temporary, tinged with a little bit of joy?
SETSUNAI
Previously seen as accomplishing something with franctic devotion, such as a Samurai risking their life to defend the territory of their ancestors, which Japanese concept can now imply that you should devote yourself whole-heartedly to whatever you are trying to accomplish? Perhaps trying to improve your knowledge of all things Japan fits in well here.
ISSHOKENMEI
The origin of this phrase comes from the four trees that bloom in the spring; cherry, peach, plum and apricot. Which Japanese concept focuses on the different traits that people have, suggesting that rather than comparing themselves to others, people should value their own unique characteristics?
OUBAITORI
Similar to okonomiyaki, what is a Japanese savoury pancake of pan-fried batter that is popular in the Kanto region? It uses more dashi or water than okonomiyaki, giving a runnier consistency.
MONJA(YAKI)
In Japan the word ‘hibachi’ refers to a traditional heating device that is not usually used for cooking, with the western use of the term for a charcoal grill owing to a misconception that has now become set in stone. By what name are hibachi grills called in Japan, the name meaning something like ‘seven rings’?
SHICHIRIN (Shichi means ‘seven’)
Also known as the cinnamon-vine and with a long version of it being known as ‘nagaimo’ in Japan, by what two-word term is the ‘dioscorea polystachya’ known, being unusual among similar foods as it can be eaten raw?
CHINESE YAM / CHINESE POTATO
As well as being father to “Territory of Light” author Yuko Tsushima, Osamu Dazai is known for which 1948 novel that is the second best selling novel in Japan after Soseki Natsume’s 1914 novel “Kokoro”?
NO LONGER HUMAN
Published in 1964, which work by Kenzaburo Oe is a semi-autobiographical tale about a man who must come to terms with his mentally disabled son?
A PERSONAL MATTER
Part of Japan’s hip-hop and black culture boom, which female writer of controversial taboo subjects has works including “Bedtime Eyes” and “Trash”?
AMY YAMADA
One of the leading writers of Japanese detective fiction, which female writer’s works include “Out”, asking readers what would be the chain of events if something happened to them? Perhaps unsurpisingly another novel is called “In”!
NATSUO KIRINO
Which female author is translating “The Tale of Genji” and has works including “A Blissful Pastime”, “Woman on the Other Shore” and “The Eighth Day”? “Woman on the Other Shore” won the Naoki Prize in 2004.
MITSUYO KAKUTA
Other novels including “Winter Sleep” and “Like a Rolling Stone”, which alliterative hard-boiled writer’s novels include “Ashes”, a story about a Yakuza mobster?
KENZO KITAKATA
Which poet gained posthumous fame with “Night on the Galactic Railroad” and “Gauche the Cellist”? He also wrote children’s works, many being adapted into animes.
KENJI MIYAZAWA
Subsequently adapted into numerous different media formats, which alliterative author wrote “Socrates in love”, also known as “Crying out love, in the center of the world”? This is his only work that has been translated into English.
KYOICHI KATAYAMA
Not releasing any work since, who wrote the famous Japanese novel “Battle Royale”?
KOSHUN TAKAMI
Also a silver medallist in the 1,000m at the same Olympics, who was the first Japanese woman to win an individual gold in speed skating in 2018, doing so in the shortest long track event, the 500m?
NAO KODAIRA
The ivory having to be stained first despite the challenge this provides, what Japanese term is used for engraving on ivory, the idea being to show the ivory underneath the dye?
BACHIRU
Sometimes found on Buddhist statues and paintings, which Japanese decorative technique uses gold, silver or platinum leaf that is cut into lines, diamonds and triangles?
KIRIKANE
Which opaque sliding panels can move from side to side and redefine spaces within a room, or act as doors?
FUSUMA (Shoji are not opaque)
Looking rather unhappy and having a name that means ‘enlightened constancy’, who was the wife of the Emperor Taisho?
TEIMEI
Having a capital of the same name, in which southernmost prefecture was ‘The Tiger of Malaya’ Tomoyuki Yamashita born? It is also known for its delicious skipjack tuna and yuzus.
KOCHI
There also being a manga by this name which has been running since 2018, what term is used for a 15 minute serialized ‘morning drama’, with “Oshin” one popular example?
ASADORA
The 59th to attain the rank of Yokozuna, which sumo wrestler was known as the ‘Oshin Yokozuna’, because he fought his way to the rank despite having diabetes?
TAKANOSATO
The Mogami river, which has its source in Mount Azuma and empties into the Sea of Japan, is in which Tohoku prefecture that lies directly north of Fukushima prefecture?
YAMAGATA
Apparently an inspiration for Nintendo’s ‘Miis’, what name is used for a Japanese wooden doll with no arms or legs?
KOKESHI
Which small town in Kanagawa prefecture is a popular tourist destination for its hot springs and views of Mount Fuji? Tokyo-3 from “Neon Genesis Evangelion” is located here.
HAKONE
All being used in the makuuchi top division of sumo wrestling, what second highest rank lies between the top one of yokozuna, and the third of sekiwake?
OZEKI
Meaning the ‘little knot’ in reference to the bout between the wrestlers, what is the fourth highest sumo rank below yokozuna, ozeki and sekiwake?
KOMUSUBI
The lowest rank in the Makuuchi top division, what is the fifth highest sumo rank below yokozuna, ozeki, sekiwake and komusubi?
MAEGASHIRA
What term can be used for a Japanese performer dressed in an animal costume, with this being extended to the ‘cosplay pyjamas’ that they wear? A variation of the undesired onesie, its name is derived from the verb for ‘to wear’ and the noun for ‘stuffed toy’.
KIGURUMI (Kiru – Niugurumi)
From Chiba prefecture, which yuru-chara is like a little yellow bud that wears a blue top with a red circle in its centre?
FUNASSYI
The second largest in Chiba prefecture after the namesake capital, which Japanese city does Funassyi represent, also the birthplace of former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda?
FUNABASHI
A 0-year old fairy baby otter that has featured on “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”, which yuru-chara from the port city of Susaki in Kochi prefecture wears a pink shelled turtle for a hat?
CHIITAN
Which yuru-chara is the sharp toothed mascot of Japanese broadcaster NHK, also known as the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation?
DOMO / DOMO-KUN
Lying to the west of the Kansai region, which of Japan’s eight regions consists of five prefectures at the west end of Honshu that includes Hiroshima?
CHUGOKU
Stretching for 500km in the Tohoku region, which longest mountain range in Japan lies to the west of Miyagi prefecture and has its highest point at Mount Iwate?
OU MOUNTAINS
Including the city of Nikko, a world heritage site with Shinto and Buddhist shrines, which prefecture in Japan’s Kanto region begins with the letter ‘t’?
TOCHIGI
Home to the Tonjinbo cliffs and lying on the Sea of Japan coast, which prefecture in the Chubu region begins with the letter ‘f’?
FUKUI
One of only eight landlocked prefectures in Japan, which prefecture in the Chubu region begins with the letter ‘g’? It is known for its Washi paper industry, with associated products including lanterns and umbrellas.
GIFU
Japan’s ‘fruit kingdom’, which prefecture in the Chubu region begins with the letter ‘y’ and shares Mount Fuji with Shizuoka prefecture?
YAMANASHI
Containing the famous tourist draw of the Himeji Castle and having its capital at the major city of Kobe, which prefecture in the Kansai region begins with the letter ‘h’?
HYOGO
Although only an association created in the modern era, which prefecture in the Chugoku region that begins with the letter ‘o’ is associated with the folklore hero Momotaro, a boy discovered inside of a peach?
OKAYAMA
The least populous prefecture and home to the largest sand dunes system in Japan, which prefecture in the Chugoku region begins with the letter ‘t’?
TOTTORI
Shimonoseki is the largest city in which prefecture in the Chugoku region that is also the westernmost on Honshu?
YAMAGUCHI
What is the northernmost of the two Shikoku prefectures beginning with the letter ‘k’? It is perhaps best known for udon, with that leading to there being a high number of noodle shops in the prefecture.
KAGAWA
Which prefecture on Shikoku begins with the letter ‘t’? It is known for the Awa Odori festival, which brings in the tourists during Obon.
TOKUSHIMA
Located on Kyushu, what is the southernmost prefecture in Japan? Sakurajima, one of the most active volcanoes in Japan, is situated here.
KAGOSHIMA
Other than Kagoshima, which prefecture on Kyushu begins with the letter ‘k’? Sites include Mount Aso, which along with containing one of the world’s largest calderas is to be avoided as it is home to Rodan, the giant pteranodon from Ishiro Honda’s kaiju film of the same name.
KUMAMOTO
Which prefecture on Kyushu begins with the letter ‘s’? It is known for its ceramics and porcelain with towns including Arita.
SAGA
Also known as Naicho, what do the letters CIRO stand for in an acronym used for the Japanese version of the CIA? Surprisingly, these are all English words.
CABINET INTELLIGENCE AND RESEARCH OFFICE
About 3cm wide, often decorated with kanji and making a humming sound when spun correctly, on what spinning top are the “Beyblade” toys based?
BEIGOMA
Which Japanese toy company introduced “Beyblade” and merged with Tomy in 2006, also contributing to the introduction of “Transformers”?
TAKARA
Whose theorem of origami states that at every vertex the number of valley and mountain folds differ by two in either direction, whatever that means?
JUN MAEKAWA
A theorem of origami that expands on Jun Maekawa’s to include angles is attributed to which Japanese paperfolder?
TOSHIKAZU KAWASAKI
Jacques Justin and Koshiro Hatori can both be added to which Japanese mathematician’s name to make a double-barreled set of rules that outline the mathematical principles of origami, with there being seven confirmed axioms in total?
HUMIAKI HUZITA
Part of a tegata with the red or black handprint, what term is used for a Sumo wrestler’s ring name?
SHIKONA
One of the Seven Great Temples of Nara, Horyu-ji is located in which town in Nara prefecture? The Kondo or main hall is widely recognised as the world’s oldest wooden building.
IKARUGA
Belonging to Kagoshima prefecture, Yakishima Island is one of which group of islands, that also contains Tanegashima?
OSUMI ISLANDS
Having a double-barreled name, which virgin forest area that straddles Aomori and Akita prefectures was one of the earliest Japanese sites to be added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list?
SHIRAKAMI-SANCHI
Gokayama is known for its traditional gassho-zukuri houses, which are a type of what vernacular house constructed in any one of several traditional Japanese building styles?
MINKA
In which prefecture can the historic village of Shirakawa-go be found, which makes up part of a UNESCO site with Gokayama?
GIFU
A poster boy for pretty Japanese tourist sites, what is the name of the picturesque water based UNESCO shrine in Hiroshima prefecture with red gates?
ITSUKUSHIMA (SHRINE)
Featuring in the long title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, what word can be used to describe castles or fortresses in the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa prefecture that feature stone walls?
GUSUKU
Listed as a World Heritage Site, which remote national park on a namesake peninsula in north-east Hokkaido takes its name from ‘the place where the earth protrudes’?
SHIRETOKO
In which town in Iwate prefecture are there temples, gardens and archaeological sites representing the Buddhist Pure Land branch of Mahayana Buddhism, being significant enough to catch the attention of UNESCO?
HIRAIZUMI
Thanks to UNESCO we may pay more attention to what silk reeling factory established in 1872 that lies in Gunma prefecture? Check out the East and West Cocoon Warehouses.
TOMIOKA (SILK MILL)
Located in Ueno Park, which Tokyo museum is included in the UNESCO listing for works by Le Corbusier? Bring on the concrete!
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART
Having a rotating population of one, which prefecture holds the sacred island of Okinoshima, with a ban on women meaning the female gender have one less site to visit on their World Heritage checklist?
FUKUOKA
In which prefecture within the Kansai region can the Mozu-Furuichi kofun keyhole tombs be found?
OSAKA
Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima, the northern part of Okinawa, and Iriomote are noted for their biodiversity. In which island chain can they be found that has a name meaning ‘south-west’, better known as the Ryukyu Islands?
NANSEI ISLANDS
When souls cross the river Sanzu in the underworld by bridge, ford or snake-infested waters, what is the other side called? A holiday by this name is celebrated by Japanese Buddhist sects, with it also providing the name for a video game emulator.
HIGAN
The Japanese fee for crossing the Sanzu is six what, similar to the obols used to pay Charon? This currency was in use from 1336 to 1870.
MON
Not to be confused with a similar sounding polluted river that supplies much of Mumbai’s drinking water, what is the Hindu mythology equivalent of the Styx, with a cow being the payment charged for ferrying a soul across it?
VAITARANI / VAITARANA (The Maharashtra river is Vaitarna)
What was the restoration called when Go-Daigo became emperor in 1333, the last emperor to wield real power until the Meiji restoration in 1868? It was overthrown by the Ashikaga shogunate in 1336, meaning it only lasted three years.
KENMU (RESTORATION)
The introduction of the Ashikaga shogunate split the imperial family into two factions, one backed by Ashikaga in the north at Kyoto, and a southern court based where, that was led by Go-Daigo?
YOSHINO
Before Nihon or Nippon was adapted as the name of Japan in the early 8th Century, what did China know the country as?
WA
Which period of Japanese history followed the Jomon and ran from about 300 BC to 300 AD? It is named for an ancient ethnicity that migrated to Japan and mixed with the Jomon people.
YAYOI
Which period of Japanese history lasted from around 538 to 710, with Prince Shotoku known for promoting Buddhism during it? It is named for a region about 25km south of Nara.
ASUKA
Taking place in 645, which reforms nationalised all land in Japan, distributing it equally among cultivators? It also ordered the compilation of a household registry as the basis for a new system of taxation.
TAIKA REFORMS
Which war of 672 between Prince Oama and Prince Otomo became a major catalyst for further administrative reforms?
JINSHIN WAR
The reforms that followed the 672 Jinshin War resulted in which code, that consolidated existing statutes and established the structure of the central and subordinate local governments?
TAIHO CODE
The legal reforms that led to the Taiho code created what kind of state, a system of Chinese-style centralised government that remained in place for half a millennium?
RITSURYO
Which emperor moved the capital from Nara in 784, settling on modern day Kyoto in 794?
KANMU
Written in the 13th and 14th centuries, Lady Nijo is known for which work, commonly translated into English as the “Confessions of Lady Nijo”?
TOWAZUGATARI / AN UNASKED-FOR TALE
Minamoto no Yoritomo was the founder and first shogun of which Japanese period?
KAMAKURA
To which 89th Japanese emperor, in the role during the Kamakura period, was Lady Nijo a concubine, with her later becoming a Buddhist nun?
GO-FUKAKUSA
At the beginning of the Kamakura period the Minamoto clan briefly continued to wage war against the northern version of which clan, one of the four great clans during the Heian period with the Taira and Tachibana making up the rest of the quartet?
FUJIWARA
Power was transferred to which clan in the early 13th century during the Kamakura period? Several administrative achievements were made under their Regency, including Japan’s first military code of law.
HOJO
Also known as the Ashikaga era after its founder Ashikaga Takauji, which period of Japanese history followed the Kamakura period, running roughly from 1336 to 1573?
MUROMACHI
The two illustrated handscrolls known as the “Moko Shurai Ekotoba” are particularly known for their depictions of what event, with depictions being made of the battles of Bun’ei and Koan?
MONGOL INVASIONS (OF JAPAN)
Oda Nobunaga’s consolidation of power ushered in which double-barreled period, the final phase of the Sengoku period? This is named for the respective castles of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
AZUCHI-MOMOYAMA
Tokogawa Ieyasu acted as regent for a son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi with what given name, who used his position to gain political and military support?
(TOYOTOMI) HIDEYORI
Later abdicating in 1611 although he had not yet reached the age of 40, which emperor appointed Tokugawa Ieyasu as shogun in 1603?
GO-YOZEI
Known by a two-word term, which ‘laws for the military houses’ were put in place by the Tokugawa shogunate mainly to restrict the power of daimyos?
BUKE SHOHATTO
Rising to power and significance during the Edo period, which commodity brokers are seen as the forerunners to Japan’s banking system, being particularly associated with Osaka?
RICE (BROKERS)
In contrast to rangaku, the study of Western sciences, what is the study of Japan by the Japanese called?
KOKUGAKU
By what alternate English-language title is the 1963 Kon Ichikawa film “An Actor’s Revenge” also known?
REVENGE OF A KABUKI ACTOR
Based on a Junichiro Tanazaki novel called “The Key”, which alliterative Kon Ichikawa film won the Jury prize at the 1960 Cannes festival?
ODD OBSESSION
Based on a children’s novel, which 1956 Kon Ichikawa anti-war film is named for a musical instrument played by a Buddhist monk? A group of soldiers are looking to find out whether he is a past friend, but they are unsure if that friend even survived the war.
THE BURMESE HARP
Which 1965 sports documentary film is a work by Kon Ichikawa, one of the few sports films to make it into the 1001 movies list?
TOKYO OLYMPIAD
Matthew Perry and his ‘black ships’ forced the opening of Japan to the world in 1854 under what Convention, which shares its name with the prefecture in which it was signed?
CONVENTION OF KANAGAWA (It was signed in Yokohama)
Who was the 15th and last Tokugawa shogun, his resignation in 1867 leading to the Boshin War?
(TOKUGAWA) YOSHINOBU
In what years did the First Sino-Japanese War take place, with the Japanese emerging victorious?
1894 TO 1895
In 1936, what pact did Japan sign with Nazi Germany, ostensibly to counter the threat of the Soviet Union?
ANTI-COMINTERN PACT
The Allied occupation of Japan ended in 1952 following the signing of which treaty, with Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida signing it at the War Memorial Opera House?
TREATY OF SAN FRANCISCO
Members including the Bonin Islands and Iwo Jima, which group of islands that are administered by Tokyo and lie in the geographical region of Micronesia are situated to the south and east of Japan?
NANPO ISLANDS
How is the Kobe earthquake also known, after the region of Hyogo prefecture in which it took place?
GREAT KANSHIN
A park on the hillside of which Mount in Yamanashi prefecture is a famous spot for viewing Mount Fuji? It includes ‘Sengen’ in the name of the park.
ARAKURA / ARAKURAYAMA
Set mainly in Kobe, which 1983 Enix adventure game is seen as an influential title, helping to define the visual novel genre and inspiring the likes of Hideo Kojima? Made by Yuji Horii, it featured non-linear gameplay and alternate endings with the two follow up games including “Karuizawa Yuukai Annai”.
THE PORTOPIA SERIAL MURDER CASE
Which Hawaii born Asian-American is responsible for “The Curious Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in Japan”, which has the premise that Sherlock Holmes spent his missing years in Karuizawa in Nagano prefecture?
DALE FURUTANI
The composition for piano and small orchestra “Sept haïkaï – esquisses japonaises” was composed by which 20th century composer, the work containing “The Birds of Karuizawa”?
OLIVIER MESSIAEN
The momiji is a Japanese variety of which tree? You may wish to visit the Kii pilgrimage route temple Kongobu-ji in Wakayama prefecture to see these in bloom.
MAPLE
What term is used for a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner? Omakase is apparently its spiritual companion and counterpoint.
KAISEKI
Wife to Naruhito, who is the current empress of Japan?
MASAKO
The pretty much constant reign of the Liberal Democratic Party in Japanese politics is known as which system, named for a year?
1955 SYSTEM
Japan disputes the ownership of which uninhabited islands with both China and Taiwan? They are known as the Diaoyu islands in China and the Diaoyutai islands in Taiwan.
SENKAKU ISLANDS
Japan’s administration of which coral atoll that makes up the southernmost part of the country is its only territory south of the Tropic of Cancer?
OKINOTORISHIMA
Employing an Aegis ballistic missile defence system, which class of Japanese destroyer is named after mountains in Japan rather than another country?
KONGO
Which article of the Japanese constitution renounces its right to declare war or use military force for international disputes?
ARTICLE 9
What stir-fry dish is considered to be the representative dish of Okinawan cuisine? Having a name that means ‘something mixed’, it may even add in spam!
CHANPURU
What ‘grouping of enterprises’ is a Japanese system where a set of businesses have interlocking business relationships and shareholdings?
KEIRETSU
Home to Tsuruga castle, which westernmost region of Fukushima is home to Akabeko, a legendary cow that gave rise to a traditional toy that some believed could ward off smallpox?
AIZU
The acronym of the huge company UFJ stands for what English words?
UNITED FINANCIAL OF JAPAN
Containing some English words, what does the acronym of the huge company NTT stand for?
NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE
Which largest retailer in Asia have a network which includes ministops, supermarkets and speciality stores, as well as being Japan’s single-largest shopping mall developer and operator?
AEON
Which investment management group is known for the leadership of its founder and largest shareholder Masayoshi Son? It runs Vision Fund, the world’s largest technology-focused venture capital fund.
SOFTBANK
Itoshu is one of the largest of what general trading company known by a two-word term, of which Mitsubishi is the largest? The company is distinguished by not being descended from a historical zaibatsu group, but by the strength of its textile business and operations in China.
SOGO SHOSHA
Meaning ‘hope’, what is the nickname of the Japanese Experiment Module for the International Space Station?
KIBO
The name of Japan’s national space organisation, what does JAXA stand for?
JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCY
In 2007, Japan launched which lunar explorer from Tanegashima Space Center? This was the largest lunar mission since the Apollo space program.
SELENE
The bronze Great Buddha of Kamakura that can be found at the Kotoku-in temple is a representation of which primary Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism, whose attributes include immeasurable life and light?
AMITABHA
What four-letter word precedes ‘shu’ in the Japanese name for the sect of the Pure Land School of Buddhism, one of the sects that form the dominant Pure Land form of Buddhism in China, Korea and Japan? The Great Buddha of Kamakura is associated with this sect.
JODO
Meaning ‘field of a thousand generations’, which area of Tokyo is the political centre of the country being home to the Imperial Palace, National Diet Building, Toho studios and Akihabara?
CHIYODA
Kaiju is a sub-genre of what other genre that literally means ‘special effects’, with other examples including superhero works like “Kamen Rider” and “Metal Hero”, and of course “Super Sentai”?
TOKUSATSU
Along with Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu, which director is seen as a representative of the ‘golden age’ of Japanese cinema, with films including “The Story of Last Chrysanthemums”, “The Life of Oharu” and “Sancho the Bailiff”?
KENJI MIZOGUCHI
Which Japanese director is best known for the epic trilogy “The Human Condition”, as well as Samurai films like “Harakiri”?
MASAKI KOBAYASHI
The Akashi Kaikyo bridge, the second longest suspension bridge in the world, connects which city to which island?
KOBE TO AWAJI ISLAND
Opened in 2022 and crossing the Dardanelles, which suspension bridge surpasses the Awaji Kaikyo in length?
1915 ÇANAKKALE
Which group known commonly by a two-letter acronym lies at the heart of the Japanese railway network?
JR / JAPAN RAILWAYS
Which largest Japanese railway company outside of JR takes the first part of its name from the alternate designation for the Kansai region?
KINTETSU (Kinki region)
Which Japanese railway company is an abbreviation of ‘West Musashi’, a historic name for the area that it serves?
SEIBU
Which Japanese railway company takes the characters in its name from Tokyo and Hachioji, the places through which it runs?
KEIO
What is the largest domestic airport, the second busiest in Asia?
HANEDA
The cargo capacity of the Keihin and Hanshin superports is measured in TEU, which stands for what?
TWENTY-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNIT
Which tallest structure in Japan is also the tallest free-standing structure in the G20 and among OECD countries, only being beaten by the Burj Khalifa and Malaysia’s Merdeka 118 in the worldwide rankings?
TOKYO SKYTREE
What term is used for Koreans who have permanent residency status in Japan or have become Japanese citizens?
ZAINICHI
Including people such as executioners, undertakers and butchers, what term is used for a social group of descendants from those who were occupied with ‘kegare’?
BURAKUMIN
In which prefecture can Japan’s fourth largest city of Nagoya be found?
AICHI
Although not its largest city, in which prefecture can Japan’s eighth largest city of Kawasaki be found?
KANAGAWA
In which prefecture can Japan’s 15th largest city of Sakai be found?
OSAKA
In which prefecture can Japan’s 17th largest city of Hamamatsu be found?
SHIZUOKA
In which prefecture can Japan’s 19th largest city of Sagamihara be found?
KANAGAWA
Amami, Kunigami, Okinawan, Miyako, Yaeyama and Yonagumi are collectively known as what group of languages?
RYUKYUAN
What is the alternate term for an endangered language, with the language isolate Ainu having only a few native speakers remaining?
MORIBUND
Along with Mount Fuji and Mount Haku, which is the third of Japan’s ‘Three Holy Mountains’? Part of the Hida Mountains, which are also known as the Northern Alps, it is found in Toyama prefecture in the Chubu region of Honshu.
MOUNT TATE
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