Locating Japan Trivia Quiz

The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean, lying between Japan and mainland Asia. It has more than one name, and in Japanese, specifically, it is called 'Nihon-kai.' In addition to touching Japan's western shores, the Sea of Japan also borders Russia and the Korean Peninsula (North and South Korea).

This large Pacific marginal sea has an area of approximately 978,000 km2 (378,000 sq mi), which makes it the ninth-largest sea in the world. The Sea of Japan has had a significant impact on the country that shares its name, inspiring works of art and literature throughout its history. It has also served as an important buffer zone between Japan and its neighbours, helping to maintain security and sovereignty.

The northern part of Japan's main island, Honshu, faces the Pacific Ocean, including the areas of Tohoku, Kanto, and Chubu. This region is obviously rich in marine resources, including fish, shellfish, and seaweed, which are important sources of food for the Japan. The Pacific Ocean also provides opportunities for fishing and aquaculture, which are major industries in Japan.

The Philippine Sea is also a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean, but in this case it is the largest marginal sea in the world, with an estimated surface area of 5 million km2 (1.93 million sq mi). It extends from the main Japanese islands in the north, down to Indonesia's Morotai Island. Its western border is comprised of the 'first island chain' (Japan's Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan), south to the Philippines, and its eastern border extends along the 'second island chain' from Japan's Bonin Islands and Iwo Jima and south to the Mariana Islands and then the Carolina Islands.

The Philippine Sea is also important to Japan for economic and security reasons. Several oil and gas fields are located in the region, and as Japan relies heavily on energy imports, the Philippine Sea provides a source for this need. It also serves as an entryway for US military forces and is an ideal location for conducting training exercises and other military operations (Japan only has a Self-Defence Force).

The East China Sea begins where the Philippine Sea ends as you travel west. Thus, the 'first island chain' of Japan's Ryukyu Islands make up the eastern border of the sea, extending southward to Taiwan, while Japan's southwestern island Kyushu lies at the northeast corner of the sea, where the Korea Strait leads to the Sea of Japan. To the north, between China and the Korean Peninsula, the East China Sea abuts the Yellow Sea, and to the west is mainland China.

The area of the East China Sea is approximately 1.25 million km2 (483,000 sq mi), but more importantly, it is an important economic resource for Japan. Not only is it rich in important fish stocks, it is also provides access to major ports in China, South Korea, Taiwan, and to other important trading partners in Southeast Asia.

Nagasaki is a port city located on the southwestern coast of Kyushu Island. While it is largely known to the rest of the world as the site of the second atomic bomb to be dropped by the Americans on Japan at the end of World War II, it has a rich history that is not forgotten.

Nagasaki was one of the few cities in Japan to have had contact with the outside world during the country's period of isolation from the 17th to the 19th century. As a result, the city became a center of international trade, particularly with the Dutch and Chinese, and was home to a thriving community of foreign merchants and missionaries. This outside interaction is reflected in the architecture, which blends Japanese, Chinese and Western styles, and in some of the cuisine, such as champon noodles and castella cake.

Nagasaki's strategic and economic importance made it a viable target for the Americans in their effort to make Japan surrender, and the resultant strike killed an estimated 70,000 people, with thousands more dying in the following months due to radiation sickness. Today, Nagasaki is a city of remembrance and reflection, with various memorials and museums dedicated to honoring the victims of the bombing and promoting peace. The city also serves as a symbol of Japan's commitment to promoting disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.

Before Hiroshima was bombed by the United States on August 6th, 1945, it was a major industrial center and was home to several military bases, including a headquarters for the Japanese army and a major port for the Japanese navy, located on the southwestern coast of Honshu Island. The bomb had a devastating effect, killing around 140,000 people, and causing mass destruction.

Today, Hiroshima has numerous memorials and museums dedicated to the victims of the bombing and the promotion of peace. The most famous of these is the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which was built on the site of the bomb's epicenter and includes several monuments and memorials to the victims. Hiroshima has become a modern and vibrant city that has undergone significant redevelopment and renewal since the atomic bombing in 1945. The city is a center of commerce, industry, and education, and is home to a population of over 1 million people.

Osaka is the third-largest city in Japan (after Tokyo and Yokohama), but is part of the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area, which ranks second in population. With its south-central location on the island of Honshu, and its proximity to the former national capital of Kyoto, Osaka has long been a commercial and economic hub of Japan. The city is home to many major corporations and industries, including electronics, automobile manufacturing, and finance, and is known for its entrepreneurial spirit and innovative business culture.

Of course, Osaka also has many cultural landmarks, perhaps the most popular being Osaka Castle, which is a symbol of the city's feudal past and serves as a popular tourist destination. And let's not forget the food! Osaka is famous for its food culture, which is considered by many to be one of the best in Japan. The city is known for its street food, including takoyaki (grilled octopus balls), and for its many restaurants serving traditional dishes like okonomiyaki (savory pancake), sushi, and ramen.

Tokyo (formerly Edo) is the capital city of Japan and is the political, cultural, and economic center of the country, with more than 13 million inhabitants. But Tokyo has not always been the capital of this island nation.

From the year 794 until the end of the 16th century, Japan's capital city was Kyoto, which is located in the Kansai region in the western part of Honshu. After Tokugawa Ieyasu's victory in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, he became the de facto ruler of Japan and began the process of consolidating his power. In 1603, he was appointed shogun by the emperor and established his government in Edo, which was then a small fishing village. Over the next several decades, the Tokugawa shogunate transformed Edo into a major city and center of political power, while Kyoto remained the cultural and artistic heart of Japan. The capital remained in Edo until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, at which point it was briefly moved back to Kyoto.

Edo was renamed Tokyo that same year, and a year later in 1869, the Meiji Emperor officially declared Tokyo as the capital of Japan, and the government began the process of building a new imperial palace and other government buildings in the city. Since then, Tokyo has remained the capital of Japan, and it has continued to grow and evolve into the bustling metropolis that it is today.

Sapporo is the largest city on Hokkaido, and is the center of government, education, and transportation on this northernmost of Japan's main islands. It is the fifth largest city in Japan with a population of approximately two million people.

Sapporo is known for several things, including its annual Sapporo Snow Festival, which attracts millions of visitors each year. The festival features large snow sculptures and ice sculptures, and visitors can enjoy various winter activities such as snowboarding and skiing. The city is also known for its beer, which is brewed in the city and exported throughout Japan and the world (this is the only thing I knew about Sapporo before writing this quiz). The Sapporo Brewery was established in 1876 and is one of the oldest and most famous breweries in Japan.

Mount Fuji, also called Fugaku, is Japan's highest point, reaching an elevation of 3,776 m (12,389 ft). Standing alone and almost perfectly conical in appearance, Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan and is widely regarded as one of the most iconic mountains in the world.

Mount Fuji is considered a sacred site in Japanese culture and has been revered for centuries by artists, poets, and pilgrims. It is also associated with Shinto and Buddhist beliefs and is believed to be a gateway between the physical world and the spiritual realm.

In addition to its cultural and religious significance, this active stratovolcano has another great advantage - it is readily accessible! The mountain is home to a number of hiking trails, huts, and campsites, making it possible for visitors to climb to the summit and experience the mountain up close.

Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost and second-largest main island, but it holds just one prefecture, and is its own nominal region. Because of its location near Russia and North Korea, the island is strategically significant and houses military installations that are used for conducting important exercises and operations.

Culturally, Hokkaido has a unique history and culture, with indigenous Ainu people living on the island long before the arrival of Japanese settlers. Ainu culture and traditions are still celebrated and preserved in museums and festivals throughout the island. Hokkaido is also a popular tourist destination due to its scenic beauty and unique culture. The island is famous for its winter sports, hot springs, and natural attractions such as the Daisetsuzan National Park and the Shiretoko Peninsula, which are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Since 1998, the Seikan (rail) Tunnel has provided a physical link between Hokkaido and Honshu, although air travel tends to be the quicker choice for most travel. The 53.8 km (33.4 mi) tunnel beneath the Tsugaru Strait is especially important for transportation of agricultural goods.

Honshu is Japan's largest and most populated island, which plays a significant role in the country's economy, culture, history, and national security. The island is approximately 1,300 km (808 mi) long, an area of 227,960 km2 (88,020 sq mi), and 10,084 km(6,266 mi) of coastline. Politically, Honshu is divided into five nominal regions with 34 prefectures.

Honshu serves as the economic and political center of Japan, with the country's four largest cities - Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, and Nagoya - serving as hubs for business, trade, and finance. The island holds approximately 80% of the population of Japan, with the capital city of Tokyo by itself containing 10% of Japan's population.

Culturally and historically, Honshu is significant, with many famous temples, shrines, and historic sites like Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park (among the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the island). And it is also home to many famous Japanese art forms, such as kabuki and noh.

Shikoku is the smallest of Japan's four main islands, situated south of the largest island Honshū (near the city of Osaka) and northeast of Kyushu. With an area of approximately 18,800 km2 (7,260 sq mi), Shikoku supports a population of about four million people, divided into four prefectures.

Shikoku is known for its scenic beauty, ancient temples, and traditional culture. The island is famous for the '88 Temple Pilgrimage,' a 1,200 km (750 mi) circular route that takes visitors to important Buddhist temples and shrines. This pilgrimage is one of the most famous in Japan and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

In addition to its religious significance, Shikoku is also known for its natural beauty. Visitors can explore pristine beaches, rugged coastlines, and scenic mountains in a number of national parks, including the popular Seto Inland Sea National Park and the Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park.

Shikoku is connected to Honshu by three separate bridge routes, although only one of them accommodates rail traffic.

Kyushu has an area of approximately 36,000 km2 (13,900 sq mi), making it the third largest island in Japan after Honshu and Hokkaido. And with approximately 13 million inhabitants, Kyushu has the highest population density among the main islands, with 360 people per square kilometer. There are seven prefectures on the island.

Situated close to the Korean Peninsula and the Chinese mainland, Kyushu has historically been a gateway for trade and cultural exchange between Japan and its neighbours. It has also been a vital center for maritime transportation, with many of Japan's busiest ports located along its coastline. Nagasaki was one of those cities which, due to its strategic location, was chosen to be the recipient of the second atomic bomb dropped at the end of World War II.

Kyushu is also known for its rich natural resources, including fertile soil, abundant forests, and mineral deposits. These resources have supported a range of industries, including agriculture, forestry, mining, and manufacturing. The island is particularly well-known for its ceramics, textiles, and food products, such as sake, shochu, and ramen noodles. The island is also a favourite site for tourism, boasting numerous shrines, temples, and other historic sites, as well as its many hot springs, which attract tourists from all over Japan and around the world.

The Ryukyu Islands extend from Japan's Kyushu Island southwest to Taiwan, with the island of Okinawa being the largest island in the chain. The Okinawa Prefecture comprises 160 islands, and makes up about two thirds of the Ryukyu island chain that divides the Philippine and East China Seas.

The Ryukyu Islands have a rich cultural history and are known for their unique culture, language, and traditions. The islands were an independent kingdom called the Ryukyu Kingdom from the 15th century until 1879 when they were annexed by Japan. The Ryukyu Kingdom was influenced by both Japan and China, and this cultural blending is reflected in the architecture, cuisine, and music of the islands.

Okinawa played a significant role in the Second World War, as it was the site of a major battle between the United States and Japan. The Battle of Okinawa, which took place from April to June of 1945, was one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific War and resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people, including many civilians. Today, Okinawa is home to several U.S. military bases.

Okinawa is now a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and unique culture. Visitors to the islands can enjoy traditional Okinawan cuisine, which includes dishes like goya champuru (stir-fried bitter melon), and explore historical sites such as Shuri Castle, the former royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Okinawa is also home to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world, which showcases the rich marine life of the region, including whale sharks and manta rays.