![[For Seniors] Have Fun with Wordplay Characters! A Collection of Funny Puzzles](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/gbgXdEncF2M/maxresdefault.webp)
We’ve put together a collection of brain teasers that people of all ages can enjoy.
For seniors, they can also serve as brain training, so this might be a popular idea.
These riddles range from ones that use kanji and hiragana to questions that make you think about what’s being described, such as “Where is the highest-altitude train station in Japan?” and “What vehicle occasionally eats bread?”
The nice thing about brain teasers is that you don’t need prior knowledge—if you twist your thinking a bit, you can figure them out.
Thinking them through together with seniors around you can spark interaction and make things lively!
Be sure to take this opportunity to give them a try.
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[For Seniors] Let’s Have Fun with Brain-Teaser Characters! A Collection of Funny Puzzles (1–10)
A wordplay puzzle using the characters “mi” and “ri”
ひらがなを組み合わせよう！「み」と「り」を使った言葉遊びパズルだよ。
The character “み” is stacked vertically and is sandwiched by “り” on both sides.
The hints are that it’s a food and that there are two “mi” with “ri” on both sides.
The answer is “nikomi ryōri” (simmered dishes).
Thinking of two “mi” and “ri” on both sides, you might go “I see!” Simmered dishes like nikujaga, oden, and nimono warm both the heart and body.
“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 wordplay character using ‘ri’ and numbers
Let’s think by combining characters! Here’s a wordplay puzzle that uses the character “り” and numbers.
You see the string “り234り6.” Without a hint, many people might find it hard to reach the answer.
The hint is that the numbers “1” and “5” have been replaced by “り.” The correct answer is “strawberry picking.” Some of you may have had the experience of picking and eating strawberries at a strawberry farm.
This was a puzzle that makes you crave sweet strawberries!
A wordplay character puzzle using ‘イ’ and ‘物’
Let’s try a word puzzle that combines characters! This is a puzzle using the characters “イ” and “物.” The katakana “イ” is placed inside the kanji “物.” The hints are that the character “物” is split, and that “イ” is inside it.
The answer is “Handle with care (Fragile).” Once you get it, you might feel totally refreshed.
The puzzle giver can adjust how the hints are presented, so everyone can have fun and enjoy a wonderful time participating.
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!”
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!
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.