[Riddle Quiz for Seniors] Brain Training Perfect for Mental Exercise
What kind of image do you have of brain-teaser quizzes? Many people probably think they seem difficult.
Brain-teaser quizzes often include questions that you can’t answer without getting your brain working at full speed, which makes them great for older adults.
Thinking activates the brain and is essential for mental and physical health.
The ones we’re introducing this time are brain teasers for seniors, so they’re easy to try.
Feel free to give plenty of hints to make them easier to answer, and use them as a way to encourage lots of communication with older adults.
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[Riddle Quiz for Seniors] Brain Training Perfect for Mental Exercises (21–30)
“Sashisuseso” wordplay
I want to take on the challenge while picturing the Japanese syllabary! This is a wordplay puzzle using the “sa-shi-su-se-so” row.
Because it’s a simple prompt that says “sa-shi-su-se-so clothing,” it might take some time to reach the answer.
The hints are that it’s clothing worn for work, and that “sa-shi-su-se-so” is the “sa” row (gyō) in the 50-sound chart.
The answer is 'work clothes' (作業服).
“Sa-shi-su-se-so” corresponds to the ‘sa’ row, right? The puzzle is simple, but that might make the hints hard to grasp for some people.
It could be more engaging if you tweak or add hints.
A witty wordplay using “shō” and “jō”
Let’s solve a riddle that looks like an official-style problem! It’s a wordplay puzzle using “shou” and “jou.” The display shows “shou × 2” and “jou ÷ 2.” The hints are that it suggests a bustling crowd, and that “shou” is doubled while “jou” is halved.
The answer is “shoubai hanjou,” meaning “prosperous business.” It makes sense if you think of it as “shou” multiplied and “jou” halved—“shou-bai” and “han-jou.” It’s a perfect brain teaser with clever wordplay, and once you get it, it’s quite satisfying.
Give it a try!
‘Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti’ riddle letters
Carefully observe the characteristics of the characters given and answer.
This is a wordplay puzzle using the phrase “Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Ka.” The key point is that the characters “Mi” and “So” are displayed larger.
Another hint is that it seems to be a special day.
The answer is “Ōmisoka” (New Year’s Eve).
Many people might catch on from the large “Mi” and “So.” If you present this around the end of the year or when it gets cold, the correct answer rate might go up.
A wordplay (riddle) using the name “Taro”
Let’s capture the features of the characters and try a brain teaser! This is a wordplay puzzle using the name “Taro.” The characters for “Taro” are reversed and have a striped pattern.
The hints are the reversed “Taro” and the stripes.
If I also tell you it’s related to a folktale, many of you might get it right.
The answer is “Urashima Taro.” Since “Taro” is flipped and has stripes (shima), it makes sense.
It’s a folktale long loved in Japan.
A wordplay riddle using the character “sky”
Let's use the hints to figure out the answer! This is a word puzzle using the character for 'sky' (空).
The simple character 空 turns blue, and its corners are rounded off.
These two points are your clues! The time limit is 30 seconds.
If having a time limit makes it hard to think carefully, try removing the limit and giving it a go.
The answer is “a clear, blue sky.” It’s a clever and funny wordplay puzzle where a single character can express a whole scene.
Witty characters using the kanji for ‘insect’
Let's think flexibly! Here's a wordplay puzzle using the character for 'insect' (虫).
The character 虫 is shown as if it has fallen over—what does that represent? The hint is to focus on the fact that it’s “an insect” and that it’s fallen.
If you consider whether the action “to fall over” (korobu) can be expressed with a different word, you might reach the answer.
The answer is “ladybug” (tentōmushi).
That’s because “to fall over” (korobu) can be rephrased as “転倒” (tentō), so we get “テントウ虫” (tentōmushi, ladybug).
It’s one of those puzzles that makes you say, “Ah, I see!”
Witty calligraphy using the characters ‘parent’ and ‘se’
After taking a quick breather, let’s give our brains a little workout.
Here’s a wordplay riddle using the characters “親” (parent) and “せ.” You can see the character “せ” placed between the two parts that make up “親,” right? The hints are that it’s a word meaning to cause someone trouble, and that “せ” is inside “親.” With those hints, many of you have probably figured it out already.
The answer is “oyanakase” (a child who causes their parents grief).
Oyanakase refers to behavior by a child that causes their parents distress or makes them lament.