FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Trivia Questions and Answers
photo of   Japan

510 Japan Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts

How much do you know about Japan? This category is for trivia questions and answers related to Japan (Geography). Each one is filled with fun facts and interesting information.
Related Questions & Answers:   India   
1 As your plane flies over Japan readying to touch down, you notice something interesting about the country. Instead of being a single piece of land, it is made up of many islands! About how many islands make up Japan?
Answer: Over 14,000

Japan is a massive group of islands; there are a whopping 6,852 islands in this group! This makes Japan the largest island country is East Asia. The Japanese archipelago consists of over 14,000 islands.

The land mass that we usually think of as Japan is actually its four main islands. These are Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Honshu. Honshu is the largest island of the four, and includes the country's capital, Tokyo.
  From Quiz: A Field Trip to Japan
2 Mount Aso is the most active volcano of Japan. What prefecture of Kyushu is it located in?
Answer: Kumamoto

Kumamoto Prefecture borders Kagoshima Prefecture to the south, Fukuoka Prefecture to the north, Oita Prefecture to the north-east and Miyazaki Prefecture to the south-east. Its capital is Kumamoto City, where renowned Japanese philosopher, swordsman, writer and strategist, Miyamoto Musashi spent the last years of his life.

Mount Aso is situated in the central of Kyushu in the Kumamoto prefecture's Aso Kujū National Park, which is named after the volcano. It is around 5,225 feet high (1,590 m). It boasta one of the largest active craters in the world, approximately 70 miles (115 km) in circumference.
  From Quiz: Japan: All about Kyushu
3 Japan has around how many active volcanoes?
Answer: 100

Japan contains approximately 10% of the world's active volcanoes. Almost half of these are closely monitored by scientists because of their capacity for violent eruptions. As of 2021, there are 110 active volcanoes in Japan, but this could change.
  From Quiz: Volcanoes of Japan
4 Four matches were hosted in this venue, the City of Toyota Stadium. In which prefecture is Toyota City located?
Answer: Aichi

Toyota City, well known for the manufacturing of cars, is located in Aichi Prefecture at the east central region of Honshu. It is a mountainous region, where Mount Chausuyama is located between the Aichi and Nagano Prefectures, with the summit on the Aichi side. A ski resort is located at the summit. In March, the mountain comes alive with the blossoming of hundreds of thousands of pink shibazakura (moss phlox).

The prefecture was the birthplace of "the three warlords" named Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who fought for supremacy to unify Japan.
    Your options: [ Aichi ] [ Akita ] [ Chiba ] [ Aomori ]
  From Quiz: Venues of 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan
5 The northernmost of the main islands of Japan is Hokkaido. This island is also a region with the capital city Sapporo. Which river is quite nearby?
Answer: Toyohira

From the centre of Toyohira River to the town centre of Sapporo, you can walk on foot - it is about 20 minutes at a steady pace.

Sapporo and the Toyohira River are situated in the large plain of Ishikari, a geological feature that is very rare in Japan. Most of Japan is so mountainous and divided by rivers that it was quite unpractical (until the late nineteenth century) to use vehicles on wheels.

Sapporo was established around 1868, and is thus a relatively recent city. The architects who designed the city chose for the grid plan. To keep the traffic incidents as low as possible, there are many traffic lights. For instance: if you walk from the centre of Toyohira River to the centre of Sapporo (about 1.7 km or just over one mile), you encounter no less than nine traffic lights.

The Yangtze (Blue River) is one of the two main Chinese rivers. The Mekong (Red River) flows through (among others) Thailand and Vietnam. The Darling is one of the longest Australian rivers.
    Your options: [ Toyohira ] [ Mekong ] [ Darling ] [ Yangtze ]
  From Quiz: Water under the Rising Sun
6 The largest of the prefectures in area is the only one that encompasses one of the four main islands. Name it.
Answer: Hokkaido

Thirty-four of the prefectures are on the main island of Honshu. Seven are on Kyushu, and four are on Shikoku.

Hokkaido, at 83,453 sq. km, is the 21st largest island in the world. Its northern latitude brings mild summers and Siberian winters. Sapporo is the largest city, and is host to a Snow Festival where buildings, cartoon characters, and famous Japanese people are carved out of massive piles of snow.
    Your options: [ Shikoku ] [ Honshu ] [ Hokkaido ] [ Kyushu ]
  From Quiz: Japan's Prefectures - A Basic Quiz
7 What is the station name of the area home to the bulk of Tokyo's major museums?
Answer: Ueno

Ueno is also home to Tokyo's largest zoo, cryptically named 'Ueno Zoo'. It was completed in 1882.
  From Quiz: Tokyo Trivia Time
8 Japan is made up of over 3,000 islands. The four main islands, which are also the most famous, host the vast majority of the population. Which of the four main islands is the smallest?
Answer: Shikoku

Shikoku encompasses four old provinces, Awa, Iyo, Sanuki and Tosa.
    Your options: [ Kyushu ] [ Hokkaido ] [ Honshu ] [ Shikoku ]
  From Quiz: The Land of the Rising Sun
9 Where is the annual Snow Festival held every year?
Answer: Sapporo

The Snow Festival is held every year in February. The Japanese call the festival "Sapporo Yuki Matsuri". Typically there are over 300 snow and ice sculptures created and they are lighted at night.
  From Quiz: An American In Japan
10 What makes traditional Japanese-style toilets different from those seen in America?
Answer: They are in the ground

They are actually built into the ground and you have to squat over them. They are quite difficult to use the first time. Luckily most public places have American style toilets as well!
  From Quiz: Life in Japan
11 Who was elected Prime Minister of Japan in 2001?
Answer: Junichiro Koizumi

A strong, yet in many ways eccentric leader, the self-confessed Elvis fanatic created controversy by vowing to visit Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo once each year during his term. Many of Japan`s Class-A war criminals are buried there.
  From Quiz: Japanese Ks
12 This city is a gateway to the Chugoku region and Shikoku Island and is where the Korakuen Garden, which is one of the three best in Japan, is. Not far from this city is the preserved Japanese city of Kurashiki.
Answer: Okayama

The Chugoku region is located at the western end of Honshu and is split into Sanyo, Inland Sea Coast, and San-in. Bizen is stoneware city located abotu an hour from Okayama while Iwakuni and Yamaguchi are closer to Hiroshima.
    Your options: [ Okayama ] [ Iwakuni ] [ Bizen ] [ Yamaguchi ]
  From Quiz: Name the Japanese City II
13 What is the capital and largest city of Japan?
Answer: Tokyo

The scope of Tokyo is staggering. Although the designated city limits boast a population of just seven million people, the urban sprawl of this city engulfs several neighbouring cities and spills over Prefectural borders. The true population of the urban agglomeration at which Tokyo lies in the center is over 30 million.
  From Quiz: Japanese Ts
14 What is the new capital of Japan?
Answer: Tokyo

The old capital of Japan is Kyoto. Tokyo has been the capital of Japan since 1868, after the Tokugawa dynasty (1603-1867), which ruled from Kyoto, was defeated.
  From Quiz: A Flight to Japan
15 According to official population figures, Osaka is Japan's third largest city. Which two cities have a larger population?
Answer: Tokyo and Yokohama

This is a classic example of how city population figures can be misleading. Osaka's official population of 2.5 million (compared with 8.1 and 3.5 million for Tokyo and Yokohama respectively) refers to the area under the control of the city government. Therefore vast swathes of the city are not included. Osaka is the main centre of a huge urban agglomeration which includes parts of Hyogo, Kyoto and Nara prefectures (as well as Osaka). The total population of these four prefectures is 18.5 million.
    Your options: [ Tokyo and Nagoya ] [ Tokyo and Yokohama ] [ Tokyo and Sapporo ] [ Tokyo and Fukuoka ]
  From Quiz: Osaka
16 What local term is used to refer to the Okinawan language (Naha dialect)?
Answer: Uchinaguchi

The Okinawan languages or 'hogens' (there are many) vary from island to island and by locality. 'Uchinanchu' refers to an Okinawan person, 'Mensoore' means 'welcome', 'Myaku-dzutzu' is a self-describing term for the language of Miyako Island, about 300km southwest of Okinawa.
  From Quiz: Okinawa
17 Who was the prince that founded Buddhism in Japan?
Answer: Shotoku
  From Quiz: Japanese Culture and History 2
18 In what era was Japanese painting spawned, ca. 552 AD?
Answer: Asuka
  From Quiz: Japanese Culture and History 1
19 The Genroku Kabuki theatre was so named not only to describe the grand and colorful style, but etymologically so named to mean 'wild and deviant behavior'. What social-economic class did Kabuki originally describe?
Answer: gangs

From the gangs it has come down through time to be viewed as a much more refined form of art. But isn't this often the case with arts and literature? Who knows...maybe one day Danielle Steele will be considered refined lit!
  From Quiz: Japanese Art, Culture and History
20 What is the name of the company that makes Panasonic products?
Answer: Matsushita Electric

Also called MEI. One of the world's largest consumer products companies.
  From Quiz: Questions about Japan
21 Matsuyama is the largest city of Shikoku. What does its name mean?
Answer: Pine mountain

Matsuyama was established in 1889 and is the capital of the Ehime Prefecture. It features some of the oldest hot springs in Japan, and faces the Seto Inland Sea. The city has a pleasant climate with very little rainfall. With the sea lying west and the mountains lying east, Matsuyama exhibits both the bustle of a busy city, and the tranquility of the countryside. It is around a 1.5 hour airplane ride from Japan's capital, Tokyo.

Dōgo Onsen, one of the hot springs of Matsuyama, is regularly touted to be the oldest hot spring in the entire of Japan, with those who disagree saying that it is at least one of the oldest. Built during the Edo Period (1603-1868), the Matsuyama Castle lies in the middle of the city, and is a popular tourist attraction.
  From Quiz: Japan: All about Shikoku
22 What strait separates Kyushu from Honshu, the largest of Japan's main islands?
Answer: Kanmon Straits

The Kanmon Straits or the Straits of Shimonoseki lie between Kyushu and Honshu. They are also called the Straits of Shimonoseki because the city of Shimonoseki which faces the strait, located on the south-western tip of Honshu.

The Kanmon straits are also an important connection between the Seto Inland Sea (Which separates the Japanese islands of Honshū, Shikoku, and Kyūshū) and the Sea of Japan, used by many cargo ships.

The Kanmon Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting Shimonoseki and the city of Kitakyushu on Kyushu. It has been in use since 1973. The bridge is approximately 3,500 feet (1,070 m) long.
  From Quiz: Japan: All about Kyushu
23 Three group stage matches were played in Hakatanomori Stadium in Kyushu. What city is the largest in Kyushu?
Answer: Fukuoka

Fukuoka located on the northern shore of Kyushu, is an energetic and bustling economic center of the island. Kanmon Straights Bridge connects the city to the main island of Honshu.

Among the popular sites are Sakurai Futamigaura, which is a spot to watch the sunset in between two giant rocks. "Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Munakata Taisha Shrine is located.
  From Quiz: Venues of 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan
24 Japan is an archipelago of 6852 islands. How many islands comprise the main islands, also known as the Home Islands?
Answer: 4

The main islands, sometimes called the "Home Islands", are Hokkaido, Honshu (the "mainland"), Shikoku and Kyushu. These four islands comprise approximately 366 000 sq. km. of Japan's total area of 377 000 sq.km. The Okinawa island archipelago are strung out up to 1600 km southwest of Kyushu, the westernmost of the four main islands.
  From Quiz: The Fascination of Japan and its Geography
25 Which two prefectures suffered attacks from atomic bombs during World War II?
Answer: Hiroshima and Nagasaki

On August 6, 1945, the Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb over the center of Hiroshima City in Hiroshima Prefecture. Over 80,000 people died from the blast, and thousands perished after due to radiation sickness. On August 9, the port of Nagasaki in Nagasaki Prefecture also was bombed, resulting in tens of thousands more casualties.

Both cities have a Peace Park and devote themselves to educating people about the horrors of nuclear war and vow to eliminate nuclear weapons. Please visit the Atomic Dome in Hiroshima, one of the few buildings to survive the blast near Ground Zero. Hiroshima is also known for its delicious oysters. Nagasaki is a beautiful port city with Chinese, Japanese, and Dutch influences.
    Your options: [ Yokohama and Osaka ] [ Kyoto and Tokyo ] [ Hiroshima and Nagasaki ] [ Fukushima and Niigata ]
  From Quiz: Japan's Prefectures - A Basic Quiz
26 The 'Six Trees' area of Tokyo is one of the major entertainment districts in the whole of Japan. Which name means 'Six Trees'?
Answer: Roppongi

Be careful when you hit the streets of Roppongi at night. It can be a bit of a jungle.
    Your options: [ Ropponki ] [ Roppongi ] [ Ropponhebi ] [ Ropponboorupen ]
  From Quiz: Tokyo Trivia Time
27 The Japanese capital, Tokyo, is one of the largest metropolises in the world. In which decade did the population hit ten million people?
Answer: 1960s

    Your options: [ 1970s ] [ 1990s ] [ 1980s ] [ 1960s ]
  From Quiz: The Land of the Rising Sun
28 What do the Japanese call the "bullet train"?
Answer: shinkansen

You can travel the length of Honshu by the shinkansen. Service began in 1964 and traveled at speeds up to 200kph (125mph). Now it attains speeds over 300kph (187mph)!
  From Quiz: An American In Japan
29 Which flap is worn on top when you wear a traditional kimono?
Answer: Left over right

If you wear it right over left it means you are dead. If you want an all silk kimono they are very expensive. There are many undergarments and accessories you have to buy. Luckily a cheaper, cotton version is also common. The length of the sleeves depends on your marital status.
    Your options: [ Right over left ] [ Left over right ] [ Preference of the wearer ] [ Depends on your marital status ]
  From Quiz: Life in Japan
30 Which martial art comes from the Japanese words meaning `empty hand`?
Answer: Karate

Karate traces its origins to Okinawa, where rulers early in the 17th century implemented a strict no weapons policy for security forces.
    Your options: [ Karate ] [ Kung-Fu ] [ Kendo ] [ K-1 ]
  From Quiz: Japanese Ks
31 Many residents of Hokkaido are familiar with a certain American firm, from which they order many things through the mails. What firm is this?
Answer: L. L. Bean

The climate of Hokkaido is comparable to Maine, and the open spaces encourage outdoor recreation. L.L. Bean, Maine's largest retail company, with its reputation for high quality outdoor goods, is a logical favorite for Hokkaido residents.
    Your options: [ Abercrombie and Fitch ] [ Sears Roebuck ] [ Lands End ] [ L. L. Bean ]
  From Quiz: Hokkaido
32 Which train line travels in a continuous loop around central Tokyo?
Answer: Yamanote Line

The Yamanote Line can be used to view all of central Tokyo. Trains run in both directions and the ticket costs the same, even if you take the longer way around the loop to your station.
    Your options: [ Chuo Line ] [ Joban Line ] [ Keihin-Tohoku Line ] [ Yamanote Line ]
  From Quiz: Out and About in Tokyo
33 This city on the island of Shikoku is three hours by train away from Takamatsu. This city is also the prefectural seat for the rich farming land and fisheries, with places made specifically to carefully breed onagadori roosters.
Answer: Kochi

Onagadori roosters sometimes have tail feathers more than 20 feet long. All incorrect answers are cities in central Honshu near Nagoya.
    Your options: [ Kochi ] [ Seto ] [ Arimatsu ] [ Inuyama ]
  From Quiz: Name the Japanese City II
34 How high is Mt Fuji-the highest mountain in Japan?
Answer: 3778m

Mt Fuji is an inactive volcano. There is a chance that it will erupt in the future.
  From Quiz: Japan Yoshimura -Style
35 This is Japan's fourth largest city and was an old castle town. It is located at the center of the porcelain, lacquer, and cloisonne industries and is in the Aichi Prefecture.
Answer: Nagoya

Also in Nagoya is the Nagoya Castle which was once a military base for the Tokugawa clan, but is a copy of the original because the original was destroyed during World War II. All the incorrect cities are side trips from Nagoya.
    Your options: [ Sakae ] [ Seto ] [ Arimatsu ] [ Nagoya ]
  From Quiz: Name the Japanese City
36 On what occasion would a man wear a white kimono?
Answer: his own funeral

Female corpses are also usually dressed in white. The only other time women wear all white is on their wedding day. Interesting symbolism!
  From Quiz: Traditional Japanese Textiles
37 Who is the largest and most profitable Japanese company and the second largest auto maker in the world?
Answer: Toyota

Toyota recorded a profit of almost 1 trillion yen in 2001.
  From Quiz: Japanese Ts
38 The Japanese call their country "Nippon" or "Nihon". What does this mean?
Answer: source of the sun

Mountains and hills cover most of Japan, making it an island country of great beauty.
  From Quiz: A Flight to Japan
39 The Sakishima Islands refer to what two island groups in Okinawa?
Answer: Miyako and Yaeyama
  From Quiz: Okinawa
40 Which mask represented the highest level of refinement in early Japanese culture, ca. 794-1185?
Answer: No-mask
    Your options: [ Gogiko-mask ] [ Gyodo ] [ No-mask ] [ Nerikyo ]
  From Quiz: Japanese Culture and History 2
The rest of the questions and answers can be found in our quizzes here:
Japan Quizzes