[For Seniors] Recommended for Brain Training! Nostalgic Showa-Era Quiz
From essential home appliances to warm family gatherings around the dinner table—and even everyday scenes that now feel nostalgic—the Showa era holds many memories that linger in our hearts.
Quizzes that awaken the memories of seniors who lived through that time not only stimulate the brain but also spark lively conversations with those around them, making for an enjoyable time.
In this article, we present memorable quizzes related to Showa-era culture, trends, and daily life.
Why not revisit Showa memories together with the seniors in your life?
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Showa Era Entertainment, Sports, and History Quiz (11–20)
Who was the first recipient of the People’s Honor Award?
A superstar everyone knows! Here’s a trivia tidbit: Who was the very first recipient of the People’s Honour Award? To start with, do you know what the People’s Honour Award is? It’s an award presented by the Prime Minister to individuals or organizations whose outstanding achievements have earned the admiration of the public and given society hope.
The first recipient was Sadaharu Oh.
As a legendary hitter in professional baseball, Sadaharu Oh is still beloved by the public.
With his unique one-legged batting stance, he captivated many fans and was a star who led Japanese baseball for many years.
What was the other event, besides men’s judo, that became an official discipline at the Tokyo Olympics held in 1964?
The Tokyo Olympics held in 1964 were a significant event in Japan’s history, and many developments—including transportation improvements—got underway from that point.
At those Tokyo Olympics, what sport became an official event alongside men’s judo? Many people might recognize the answer when they hear the phrase that spread from that sport: “Witches of the Orient.” The answer is volleyball.
While judo was only for men, volleyball was added as an official event for both men and women, and the women’s volleyball team was nicknamed the “Witches of the Orient.”
In 1977 (Showa 52), Japan successfully launched its first meteorological satellite. What was the name of this weather satellite?
A weather satellite is a satellite that observes various weather-related data from space.
These satellites, which are useful for weather and disaster forecasting, are also launched from Japan.
So, what is the name of the satellite that Japan first successfully launched in 1977 (Showa 52)? It might be easier if you think of a flower that symbolizes summer in Japan.
The answer is “Himawari” (sunflower).
Named after the flower that turns its face toward the sun, Himawari is Japan’s representative series of weather satellites, with multiple generations launched since the first.
In what year of the Showa era did the 10,000-yen note first appear?
The first 10,000-yen note was issued in 1958 (Showa 33), featuring Prince Shotoku on the front and a phoenix on the back.
Many people—not just the elderly—may have a faint memory of it.
Subsequently, along with the period of rapid economic growth, the circulation of the 10,000-yen note increased significantly.
Who is the one of the New Gosanke who debuted with “Hakata Miren,” released on May 1, 1971 (Showa 46)?
In the Showa era, the entertainment world flourished, and many idols emerged who sent the public into a frenzy.
Among those idols, let’s focus on male idols: who is the person known as one of the “New Big Three,” who debuted with the single “Hakata Miren,” released on May 1, 1971 (Showa 46)? He also appeared in the 1971 NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen as the youngest participant at the time and has accolades such as the Japan Record Award.
The answer is Goro Noguchi—an idol who, alongside Hiromi Go and Hideki Saijo, helped define an era.
Showa Era Entertainment, Sports, and History Quiz (21–30)
In what era is the film Seven Samurai set?
Along with cultural development, the Showa era gave birth to many masterpieces in film and beyond.
Among those Showa classics, Seven Samurai is a work deeply etched into film history.
So, which period is its setting? Naturally, it’s an era when samurai existed, and from the way the characters live, you can infer the approximate time as well.
The answer is the Sengoku period.
Although the characters and events are fictional, the film explicitly states that it takes place in Tenshō 14 (1586).
There was a game board that became popular among children in the 1950s and 60s (Showa 30s). What sport was turned into the board game?
Various kinds of toys have been created both in the past and present, bringing joy to children.
They range from simple ones where the outcome is decided in a single move to those that require strategy, and some people may even have played with original rules or custom variations.
Among such toys, when you think of board-style games themed around sports that were popular around the mid-1950s (Showa 30s), what comes to mind? Some might guess it just from the phrase “sports-themed board.” The answer is the baseball board game—known as yakyūban—which came in many versions, differing in size and how they were operated.