[For Seniors] Fun! Let’s Get Excited with Japan’s Number One Quiz

Hokkaido

Oshima Oshima in Hokkaido is the largest uninhabited island in Japan. It is said that there is almost no flat land along its coast, which is lined with sheer cliffs. Although no people live on the island, rabbits and mice inhabit it. Moreover, it is the northernmost breeding ground of the streaked shearwater, which is designated as a Natural Monument.

Niigata Prefecture

Niigata Prefecture has the highest number of Shinto shrines in Japan. In the Meiji era, it had the largest population in the country, so the number of shrines naturally increased. Additionally, factors such as the relatively limited impact of the shrine consolidation policy (the Shinto shrine amalgamation policy) are cited. It’s said that some shrines have remained since their founding more than 2,400 years ago.

Kagawa Prefecture

Osaka Prefecture used to be the smallest prefecture in Japan by area. Currently, the smallest prefecture by area is Kagawa. It’s said that Osaka Prefecture became larger than Kagawa due to land reclamation and other developments. The difference in area between Hokkaido, which boasts the largest area in Japan, and Kagawa is as much as 45 times.

Tokyo Metropolis

Ryōunkaku, the observation tower completed on November 10 in Asakusa, Tokyo. Ryōunkaku had a 12-story observation deck and was the first in Japan to be equipped with an electric elevator. However, due to the limited knowledge about elevators within the supervising authorities at the time, it was deemed disqualified/unsafe. As a result, it was considered dangerous and saw little public use. It suffered damage in the Great Kanto Earthquake and was subsequently demolished, so it can no longer be seen today.

Shōmyō Falls

Shomyo Falls in Toyama Prefecture has the greatest drop of any waterfall in Japan. Fed by the waters of the Tateyama mountain range, it has a drop of 350 meters. The name “Shomyo” is said to come from the roar of the falls, which sounds like many people chanting Buddhist prayers. Incidentally, Hannoki Falls beside Shomyo Falls has a 500-meter drop, but it is not officially recognized as Japan’s tallest waterfall. This is said to be because it appears and disappears depending on the water volume.

Nagano Prefecture

Nagano Prefecture has 77 municipalities, and 35 of them are villages. During the Heisei-era municipal mergers, many municipalities chose not to merge. It seems that the prefectural governor at the time did not push mergers forcibly as a matter of policy. One reason given was that, in mountainous Nagano Prefecture, mergers would yield limited benefits. Because of this background, there are many small villages in Nagano.

triple jump (track and field)

The Olympics inspire great emotion every time they are held. In Japan, the first person to become a gold medalist was Mikio Oda in the triple jump. After that, Yoshiyuki Tsuruta won a gold medal in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke. After retiring, Mikio Oda was active as a coach and served as the head coach of the track and field team at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.