[For Seniors] Recommended Brain Training! Classic Riddles

Care Worker Initial Training Certification ObtainedNakajima Junko
Leveraging my experience working as a care worker at a day service, I am currently active as a writer in the caregiving and welfare fields. Beyond writing, I hope to expand my work into web design and illustration. I am a mother of three who has begun studying to become a certified social worker.

Riddles (nazokake) are also very popular among older adults.

They’re a traditional Japanese wordplay, familiar to many through rakugo performances and comedy segments like ogiri.

As a brain-training activity, many facilities enjoy turning the “sono kokoro wa?” part of nazokake into a quiz.

However, it can be difficult to find nazokake topics that suit older adults.

So this time, we’ll introduce nazokake prompts that older adults will find relatable.

Thinking them through helps with brain training and strengthens creativity, vocabulary, and language manipulation skills.

Even those who find it difficult to stand or move their bodies can participate, so everyone, please give nazokake a try together!

[For Seniors] Recommended Brain Training! Classic Riddles (11–20)

Riddle: What do Mito Kōmon and a cat’s favorite treat have in common? The answer: ‘matatabi’—because Mito Kōmon is always on a journey (tabi), and cats love matatabi (silvervine).

This is a riddle that asks you to find a common point between Mito Kōmon, a well-known historical drama set in the Edo period, and something cats like.

Since the range of words associated with Mito Kōmon is broad, it may be easier to start from things cats enjoy.

Mito Kōmon’s party solves local problems they encounter on their journey and then sets off traveling again.

Cats love matatabi (silver vine), a plant that, when given to them, makes them react in a distinctive, tipsy way.

Thus, the shared keyword that emerges is “mata tabi” (again, travel) and “matatabi” (silver vine).

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced some classic riddles that make great brain training for seniors.

The topics used are familiar to older adults.

Since riddles can be enjoyed while seated, they’re perfect for recreational activities at care facilities and similar settings.

Enjoy some fun wordplay together!