[For Seniors] Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts for June
June in Japan is the rainy season, so we often have a string of gloomy, unsettled days.
At the same time, though, it’s also when plums are harvested and hydrangeas are in full bloom, and we observe occasions like Father’s Day and the Nagoshi no Harae purification—seasonal plants and events unique to this time of year.
In this article, we’ll present trivia and fun facts related to June in a quiz format.
See how many you can get right, and enjoy taking on the challenge together!
If you come across any facts you didn’t know, take this opportunity to remember them and share them with your family and friends!
- [For Seniors] Quizzes That Capture June: A Collection of Trivia and Fun Facts
- [For Seniors] June Health Topic: Recreational Activities to Enjoy the Rainy Season
- [For Seniors] Perfect Brain Training! Fun Trivia
- [For Seniors] Prevent Dementia with Brain Training! A May-Themed Quiz Collection
- [For Seniors] Liven Things Up! Fun Fish Trivia Quiz
- [For Seniors] Introducing Trivia Quizzes and Fun Facts About December
- [For Seniors] Sports Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts. Easy and Entertaining
- [For Seniors] Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts About the Rainy Season (Tsuyu)
- [For Seniors] Summer-Themed Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts Collection
- [For Seniors] Hydrangea Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts Collection
- [For Seniors] Summer Festival Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts. Enjoyable Quizzes That Boost Your Knowledge
- [For Seniors] June-Themed Activities: Recommended Recreation and Game Collection
- For Seniors: Enjoy the Rainy Season—Event Ideas Perfect for June
[For Seniors] Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts Related to June (Questions 31–40)
What kind of weather does a ‘fox’s wedding’ refer to?
Many people may have heard the phrase “kitsune no yomeiri.” There are various theories about it, but kitsune no yomeiri is a weather term that refers to the phenomenon of rain falling even though the sky is clear.
It’s said that the strangeness of rain falling under a blue, sunny sky led people to liken it to being tricked by a fox, hence the name.
It is also known as “kitsune no yometori” or “kitsune no yometori-ame.”
What will the weather be like when tree frogs croak?
It is said that when tree frogs croak, rain is coming, and this is thought to be related to their cutaneous respiration.
In addition to using their lungs, frogs also perform “cutaneous respiration,” taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide through their skin.
Because carbon dioxide passes easily through the skin, higher humidity makes cutaneous respiration more active, which is thought to make them croak more often.
For these reasons, it came to be said that tree frogs croak when rain is approaching.
However, they often croak even when it doesn’t end up raining, so if you hear tree frogs, try checking whether it really does rain!
Which has more ribs, a Japanese umbrella (wagasa) or a Western-style umbrella?
The answer is a wagasa (traditional Japanese umbrella).
The ribs that spread out radially when you open an umbrella are called “oya-bone” (main ribs).
While a typical Western umbrella has eight main ribs, a wagasa has at least sixteen and can have around fifty.
The number of main ribs in a wagasa varies with the umbrella’s size, but many are used to firmly support the washi paper.
By the way, Western umbrellas are generally made from synthetic materials like vinyl or polyester; although they have only eight main ribs, the fabric is kept taut by the strength of the wire frame.
What does the ume-shigoto, carried out during the rainy season, involve doing?
Plum blossoms reach their best viewing season around February, but do you know when plums are harvested? Plums are typically picked around June.
That’s why “ume-shigoto” (plum work) like making umeboshi (salt-pickled plums) and umeshu (plum liqueur) is done in June, when the fruit is in season.
June is also the time of tsuyu, the rainy season.
It’s said that the word tsuyu is connected to the time when plums are at their peak or ripening.
Some older adults may have experience making umeboshi themselves.
Conversations about ume-shigoto could be a great way to engage with seniors.
From May 31 to June 6 every year is “〇〇 Week.” What is this week calling for?
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare designates the week from May 31 to June 6 each year as “No Smoking Week.” This was established following the World Health Organization (WHO) designating May 31 as “World No Tobacco Day.” Did you know that even non-smokers face the risk of secondhand smoke? Secondhand smoke refers to inhaling cigarette smoke from people around you, even though you yourself are not smoking.
We hope that smokers, aware of the risks posed to others as well as themselves, will observe proper etiquette and take No Smoking Week as an opportunity to value their health.
[For Seniors] June-Themed Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts Collection (41–50)
What is the origin of Minazuki, the alternative name for June?
- Because it's the season to flood the rice fields with water.
- Because it's the season when the river's water decreases.
- Because it’s the season when it rains a lot and the sky runs out of water
See the answer
Because it's the season to flood the rice fields with water.
Despite the rainy season bringing lots of rain, why is June written as 'the month without water' (Minazuki)? The origin, it turns out, is that June is when rice paddies are filled with water. By the way, Minazuki doesn’t mean 'without water' but is actually a way of writing 'the month of water' in kanji.
Where is the hydrangea originally from?
- Japan
- China
- America
See the answer
Japan
Hydrangeas originated in Japan. The hydrangeas that grow wild in Japan belong to the genus Hydrangea, and they bloom beautifully especially during the rainy season. There is also a history of them being introduced from Japan to Europe via China, where they underwent selective breeding.