Enjoy summer festivals even more! Trivia quiz & fun facts collection

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

A summer festival that adults can enjoy, too.

Here, we introduce trivia quizzes and fun facts about general summer festivals.

The quizzes are designed for everyone to enjoy, and the key is to think them through together.

There are questions about the tasty foods you eat at festivals and about the origins of the celebrations.

Festivals strongly reflect the local culture and traditions.

From food stalls to fireworks and Bon Odori, there’s so much to discover! Through these quizzes, get to know even more of the fun and charm of summer festivals.

Have a great time getting into the spirit with family and friends!

Enjoy the Summer Festival Even More! Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts Collection (1–10)

“Choco Banana,” a popular treat at summer festival stalls. Which tip will help you make choco bananas with a great texture?

Chill the bananas in the refrigerator before dipping them in chocolate.
Dip bananas in chocolate at room temperature.
Wrap immediately after coating with chocolate.

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Chill the bananas in the refrigerator before dipping them in chocolate.

By applying it to the surface of a chilled banana, the melted chocolate sets quickly, creating a crisp texture. With a room-temperature banana, it can take longer for the chocolate to harden, which may result in an inferior texture.

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From which era did Japanese summer festivals begin?

Heian period
Kamakura period
Edo period

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Heian period

Japanese summer festivals are said to have begun in the Heian period as customs for warding off misfortune and preventing epidemics. In particular, many were held in summer, such as the Goryō-e rituals.

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What is the name of the bird that is placed on top of the mikoshi?

crow
pheasant
Ho-oh

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Ho-oh

It is common for a legendary bird called the hōō, considered auspicious, to be placed atop the mikoshi. The hōō is regarded as a symbol of peace and prosperity.

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Enjoy Summer Festivals Even More! Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts Collection (11–20)

At the Gion Festival, elaborately decorated floats called “yamahoko” parade through the streets, and because of their luxurious ornaments, they are referred to as “moving museums.” What are they called?

Moving Museum
Moving Theater
Museum on wheels

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Museum on wheels

The floats of the Gion Festival are called a “moving museum” because they are adorned with artworks and luxurious ornaments from Japan and abroad.

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The Gion Festival in Kyoto is said to have begun to quell an epidemic. So, what was the event that triggered it?

Enthronement of Emperor Kanmu
Ōnin War
Epidemic of 869

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Epidemic of 869

The Gion Festival is said to have begun in 869 (Jōgan 11) when the government at the time erected portable shrines and held a goryō-e ritual to quell an epidemic that was spreading nationwide.

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There are various traditional dances in Japan, but which prefecture is the birthplace of the famous Awa Odori?

Tokushima Prefecture
Kochi Prefecture
Ehime Prefecture

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Tokushima Prefecture

Awa Odori is famous for originating in Tokushima Prefecture. Held every August in Tokushima City, Awa Odori is known as one of Japan’s three major Bon dances and attracts many tourists.

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Which qualifications are required to set up a food-handling stall?

Food Sanitation Supervisor
Salesperson
chef

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Food Sanitation Supervisor

When selling food at stalls or similar venues, a Food Sanitation Supervisor certification is required. Each facility that serves food must have at least one certified person. Chef or sales clerk qualifications are not mandatory.

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