[For Seniors] Miyagi Prefecture Local Quiz: Brain training with questions on local cuisine, sightseeing spots, and notable figures

Zunda mochi

The correct answer is zunda mochi. It is a representative traditional sweet of the Tohoku region, especially Miyagi Prefecture. Freshly harvested summer edamame are boiled, peeled, mashed, and mixed with sugar and salt to make a vivid green sweet paste, which is then coated onto mochi. With its rich edamame flavor and high nutritional value, it has long been popular as a treat served during the Obon and Higan periods.

Matsushima

The correct answer is Matsushima. Matsushima is the collective name for the more than 260 islands, large and small, scattered across Matsushima Bay in Miyagi Prefecture, and it is counted as one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views along with Amanohashidate in Kyoto and Miyajima in Hiroshima.

shark

The correct answer is shark. Kesennuma City is a port town boasting the largest shark catch in Japan, and its processed fins—shark fin—are renowned for being of the highest quality in the world. Shark fin produced using sophisticated processing techniques dating back to the Edo period is beloved by gourmets worldwide as an ingredient in high-end Chinese cuisine. In addition, shark meat is widely used as a raw material for surimi products such as chikuwa and hanpen, making it an important fish that supports Kesennuma’s food culture.

paprika

The correct answer is paprika. While many of the paprikas distributed in Japan are imported, among domestically grown paprikas, Miyagi Prefecture boasts the highest production in the country. Large-scale greenhouse cultivation incorporating the latest technology is carried out mainly in the northern part of the prefecture, such as in Kurihara City and Tome City. Paprikas from Miyagi are characterized by their large size, thick flesh, and fruity sweetness. They are also very fresh and rich in nutrients like vitamin C, making them a recommended vegetable for maintaining good health.

Autumn

The correct answer is autumn. Naruko Gorge in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, is a grand canyon about 100 meters deep, formed by the erosion of the Otani River, and is known as one of the Tohoku region’s premier autumn foliage spots. The best viewing period is typically from late October to early November, when the beech, oak, and maple trees covering the sheer cliffs turn brilliantly red and yellow, creating a truly breathtaking sight. The view from the Ofukasawa Bridge is especially magnificent, captivating many photographers and tourists.

sasa kamaboko (bamboo leaf–shaped fish cake)

The correct answer is sasa-kamaboko. It is known nationwide as a specialty of Miyagi Prefecture, especially Sendai City. It is said to have begun in the Meiji era, when large hauls of flounder led people to preserve the fish by mincing it into surimi and grilling it. It’s delicious as is, but lightly searing it and adding wasabi soy sauce is also recommended.