[For Kids] Fun Summer Trivia Quiz & Facts

Hideki Matsui

The 100th National High School Baseball Championship was held in 2018. At the opening ceremony of the Summer Koshien, the ceremonial first pitch was thrown by former professional baseball player Hideki Matsui. Matsui became famous during his days at Seiryo High School, notably for being intentionally walked in five consecutive plate appearances. He later went on to achieve great success in both Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball.

amulet against evil

In Japan, wind chimes have long been cherished as charms believed to ward off evil. It has traditionally been believed that the sound of wind chimes drives away negative energy and prevents harmful things from entering. In particular, they have been hung from eaves and windowsills as protection against misfortune and illness.

Meimuna opalifera (midsummer cicada)

On Hachijōjima, astonishingly, only one species of cicada—the Tsukutsukubōshi—lives there. On other islands and on the mainland, you can see many kinds of cicadas, but on Hachijōjima it’s just the Tsukutsukubōshi. The reason isn’t clear, but perhaps the island’s unique environment or climate has created this kind of special ecosystem...?

Because two people slacked off at work

As Orihime and Hikoboshi became infatuated with each other and spent every day meeting and playing, they began to neglect their work. Angered by this, the Emperor of Heaven separated them to opposite banks of the Milky Way. As a reward for working properly, they are allowed to meet only once a year, on the day of Tanabata.

Japan

Flip-flops were originally created inspired by zōri, a traditional Japanese type of footwear. After World War II, zōri made with rubber materials were developed, and these are said to be the model for today’s flip-flops. Because they are light and durable, they spread around the world and have now become an essential item for summer activities like going to the beach or the pool.

thickness

The biggest difference between sōmen and hiyamugi is the thickness of the noodles. Under Japan’s Agricultural Standards (JAS), sōmen must be less than 1.3 mm in diameter, while hiyamugi must be at least 1.3 mm but less than 1.7 mm. Based on this standard, stores clearly separate and sell them. Both are popular in summer because they’re cool and easy to eat, but you’ll notice slight differences in mouthfeel and how substantial they are.

The day with the longest daylight hours

The summer solstice—only in the Northern Hemisphere—is characterized by having the longest daylight of the year. In Japan, it falls around June 21–22. After the solstice, the days gradually get shorter and the nights longer. It’s an important day that marks the seasons, linked to the sun’s movement and the tilt of the Earth.