How about quiz games like wordplay and riddles during recreation time at day service centers and other senior facilities? Puzzles that hide meanings in the arrangement, color, or orientation of letters, as well as riddles, are enjoyable brain teasers.
The answers often draw on familiar folk tales or everyday events, so seniors can experience that delightful “I get it!” moment of surprise and accomplishment when inspiration strikes.
The process of thinking stimulates the brain, and smiles and conversation naturally arise when the answer is revealed.
This time, we’ll introduce clever wordplay and riddle quizzes that are sure to get seniors excited and thinking, the kind that make you say, “Wow, that’s clever!”
In which prefecture is the festival famous for Namahage held?
“Any crying children here?!” Have you heard this phrase somewhere? In winter, men wearing demon-like masks and straw costumes go from house to house scolding children.
This distinctive custom is known as Namahage.
It’s a traditional practice handed down through the generations, said to “warn the lazy and pray for family health and a bountiful harvest.” The festival featuring Namahage takes place in Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku region—an area known for heavy snowfall, hot springs, beautiful views of the Sea of Japan, and the local specialty, kiritanpo hot pot.
In which prefecture is the Gujo Odori, a Bon dance also known as the “All-Night Dance,” held?
During Obon, when we welcome our ancestors, festivals are sometimes held, and in many cases Bon Odori dances are performed.
Among these dances, there is a special one called Gujo Odori, also known as the All-Night Dance (Tetsuya Odori).
In which prefecture is it held? The answer is Gifu Prefecture.
It is a traditional Bon dance that is also inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
A major feature is that people continue dancing from night until the following morning, and it is said to combine both memorial rites for ancestors and elements of entertainment.
What is the second highest mountain in Japan after Mount Fuji?
When it comes to the tallest mountain in Japan, of course it’s Mount Fuji.
So what’s the second tallest? As it turns out, it’s one of the peaks in the Japanese Alps, standing at an impressive 3,193 meters! It may not reach Fuji’s height, but it’s still formidable, and one of the mountains long admired by Japanese mountaineering enthusiasts.
Located on the border between Shizuoka and Nagano Prefectures, you can even see Mount Fuji from its summit on clear days.
Cool air even in summer, abundant nature, and a beautiful ridgeline—its grandeur truly befits the title “the Roof of Japan.” The second highest mountain in Japan, after Mount Fuji, is Mount Kita (Kita-dake).
In which prefecture is Nikkō Tōshō-gū, where Tokugawa Ieyasu is enshrined, located?
Nikkō Tōshō-gū, famous for its Three Wise Monkeys—“see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil”—and its ornate carvings, is a very well-known shrine nationwide that enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate.
The grounds are lined with vividly colored, lavish buildings so impressive you’ll think, “Were these really built in the Edo period?” In particular, the Main Hall and the Yōmeimon Gate are designated National Treasures, drawing many visitors from Japan and abroad.
The shrine is located in Tochigi Prefecture in the northern Kanto region, surrounded by abundant nature, and the area is also a hugely popular tourist destination with spots like Kegon Falls and Lake Chūzenji.
Where is Choshi Port, which has the largest fish catch in Japan, located?
Choshi Port is one of Japan’s leading fishing ports, famous for landing several kinds of fish such as tuna, sardines, and mackerel.
At this market, where fresh fish gather, it’s a popular spot visited not only by locals but also by tourists from all over the country.
Now, which prefecture is Choshi Port located in? Here’s a hint… it’s at the eastern edge of the Kanto region, facing the Pacific Ocean, and it’s also famous for peanuts, Narita Airport, and the Inubosaki Lighthouse.
The answer is Chiba Prefecture.
Fish is a topic that really livens up the dinner table! As you think about the answer, why not share stories together about delicious fish you ate in the past or memories from your travels?
When you hear the word “lake,” what place comes to mind? The sound of the wind gently stroking the surface of the water, the sight of a pleasure boat gliding along.
Japan has many lakes, but do you know which one is the largest? This lake covers about 670 square kilometers and has long been affectionately known as the “Mother Lake.” It’s located in the Kinki region, right next to Kyoto, and has historically played a vital role in transportation and daily life.
It’s also rich in nature, offering beautiful scenery in every season.
In the lakeside towns, you can enjoy traditional streetscapes and festivals held on boats.
Japan’s largest lake is Lake Biwa, located in Shiga Prefecture.
Which prefecture is famous for Kinkaku-ji and Nijo Castle?
When you think of a golden temple, what place comes to mind? The ever-popular Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), beloved by history buffs and tourists alike, and Nijo Castle, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Both are famous landmarks in a certain ancient capital.
This prefecture is packed with Japan’s history and culture.
It has the Imperial Palace where past emperors resided, and the town still retains people in kimono and traditional wooden townhouses.
Just walking around makes you feel as if you’ve slipped back in time.
The seasonal beauty is also a draw—cherry blossoms in spring, vibrant foliage in autumn, and the Gion Festival in summer.
There are plenty of local specialties too, like wagashi (Japanese sweets), matcha, and pickles, making it a place you can enjoy visiting again and again.
In 1969, a certain American rocket made the first human landing on the moon. What was the name of that rocket?
Speaking of the American rocket that achieved humanity’s first successful Moon landing in 1969, it has to be Apollo 11! Seeing the portraits of the three crew members who launched from Kennedy Space Center, or the photo of Commander Neil Armstrong’s first human footprint on the Moon, might bring back memories of the excitement of that time.
Using a quiz as a springboard, why not reminisce about that historic achievement that inspired so many dreams and enjoy sharing stories of the past?
In 1970 (Showa 45), the local call charge for public telephones became 10 yen for 3 minutes. What had the pricing structure been like before that?
Public telephones used to be essential for making calls while out and about, but as time has gone on, we see them less and less.
Because opportunities to use them have decreased, many of us may no longer have a clear sense of the cost, but the rate is set at 10 yen for three minutes.
That “10 yen for three minutes” rate was introduced in 1970; before that, the pricing was different.
So what was the rate before 1970? The answer is “10 yen per call.” As long as you paid 10 yen, there was no time limit—your call would stay connected without worrying about the duration.
It’s worth noting the anecdote that many people would monopolize the phone for long periods because of this.
From the late 1950s to the 1960s in the Showa era, a certain indoor sport became extremely popular. What sport was it?
The sport in question—many older people might say they used to play it often, especially with the recent boom—what could it be? Here are some hints: it’s a sport that uses a heavy ball, and you throw that ball toward a specific target.
The answer is bowling! At the time, there were over 3,500 bowling alleys nationwide, and many people owned their own shoes and balls.
Numerous star players emerged as well, such as Kayoko Suda and Ritsuko Nakayama.
