[Local Trivia for Seniors] A Collection of Quizzes Showcasing the Charms of Chiba Prefecture

Fūta-kun

The correct answer is “Futa-kun.” In 2005, Futa-kun was widely featured on TV and in newspapers for standing on two legs in a way that looked almost human, making him famous nationwide. He will celebrate his 22nd birthday on July 5, 2025, and is also known as the oldest living red panda in Japan.

Funabashi City

The most populous city in Chiba Prefecture is Funabashi. It is known for having a larger population than Chiba City, the prefectural capital. Funabashi is located in the northwestern part of Chiba Prefecture and is designated as a core city and a public health center ordinance-designated city.

by height order

In many elementary and junior high schools in Chiba Prefecture, seating order is often determined by students’ birthdays, which is a commonplace sight for Chiba residents. In other regions, seats are often arranged in kana/alphabetical order, making this one of Chiba’s quirky characteristics.

Urayasu City

Tokyo Disneyland is located in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture. Although its name includes “Tokyo,” it is situated in Chiba, not Tokyo Metropolis. It opened in April 1983 and is known for having the highest number of visitors among theme parks in Japan.

Owl Police Box

The police box in front of JR Chiba Station is affectionately known as the “Owl Police Box” because of its appearance. The plaza in front of the station was conceived as an artificial forest, and the police box was reportedly designed with the image of an owl—familiar as the forest’s guardian and philosopher.

Saitama Prefecture

Chiba Prefecture faces the Pacific Ocean on its eastern side, and the only prefectures it borders by land are Ibaraki, Tokyo, and Saitama. It meets Saitama in the northwest. The terrain is generally flat, and it is also known as one of the rare prefectures in Japan without any mountainous regions.

Chi-ba-kun

Chiba Prefecture’s official character is Chība-kun. Chība-kun is a red, dog-like character whose side profile resembles the shape of Chiba Prefecture. He was appointed as the official mascot character of Chiba Prefecture in 2011. Kumamon is Kumamoto’s character, and Funassyi is Chiba Prefecture’s “unofficial” character.