General knowledge quiz time! From trivia to questions about Japan and the world
Whether you’re so interested in Japanese history and culture that you end up researching on your own, or you feel it seems too much like studying and can’t quite get into it, there are all kinds of people out there.
For those who are interested in various aspects of Japan—and even for those who aren’t—turning them into quizzes might just spark a bit of curiosity! In this article, we’ll present quizzes covering general knowledge and trivia about Japanese history, culture, and customs.
Let these quizzes be your starting point to learn even more about Japan!
Japanese History, Culture, and Customs Quiz (1–10)
Which is the longest river in Japan?
- Shinano River
- Tama River
- Tone River
See the answer
Shinano River
The longest river in Japan is the Shinano River, with a total length of about 367 kilometers. The Shinano River begins in central Niigata Prefecture and flows into the Sea of Japan. Incidentally, the Tone River is known for having the largest drainage basin in Japan.
What is the most common surname in Japan?
- Suzuki
- Sato
- Tanaka
See the answer
Sato
“Sato” is a very common surname in Japan and consistently ranks among the most common surnames. Along with “Tanaka” and “Suzuki,” the surname “Takahashi” also ranks near the top.
What do you call the celebration for age 88?
- 88th birthday (Beiju)
- 77th birthday (Kiju)
- eightieth birthday (celebration of turning 80)
See the answer
88th birthday (Beiju)
In Japan, it is traditional to give special names to celebrations for certain ages. Among them, the celebration for age 88 is called “beiju.” This name comes from the kanji for “rice” (米), which can be broken down to resemble “eighty-eight” (八十八). “Kiju” refers to the celebration for age 77, and “sanju” refers to the celebration for age 80.
Which is the tallest building in Japan?
- Abeno Harukas
- Tokyo Skytree
- Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower
See the answer
Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower
Azabudai Hills is a building that opened in Minato City, Tokyo, in November 2023, boasting a height of 330 meters, surpassing Abeno Harukas in Osaka, which had previously been the tallest building in Japan. By the way, Tokyo Skytree is a television broadcasting tower and, at 634 meters, the tallest structure in Japan, but since it is not a building, it does not count.
What is July called in the old Japanese calendar?
- Fumizuki (the traditional Japanese name for the month of July)
- Hazuki
- Shimotsuki (the traditional Japanese name for the 11th month)
See the answer
Fumizuki (the traditional Japanese name for the month of July)
In the traditional lunar calendar, the seventh month is called “Fumizuki.” Each month in the old calendar has its own name, and Fumizuki is sometimes used as a season word for summer. The name is said to come from the fact that, after the rainy season ends and the weather turns refreshing at this time of year, people would often seek coolness by the water, composing waka poems or reading writings.
When the consumption tax was introduced, what was its rate in percent?
- 3%
- 5%
- 8%
See the answer
3%
In Japan, the consumption tax was introduced in 1989 at a rate of 3%. It was subsequently raised to 5% in 1997, 8% in 2014, and 10% in 2019.
In which year after getting married is the silver wedding anniversary celebrated?
- the tenth year
- 25th year
- the 50th year
See the answer
25th year
A silver wedding anniversary refers to the 25th anniversary of marriage. A golden wedding anniversary is the 50th, and a bronze wedding anniversary is the 7th.