[For Seniors] Fun Brain Training! Quizzes Recommended for October
October is a pleasant time of year, with the hot days behind us.
The leaves start to change color, many foods are harvested, and there are plenty of fun events and festivities.
When you hear “October,” lots of things come to mind, don’t they?
So this time, we’re introducing “October-themed quizzes for seniors.”
Through these quizzes, let’s help everyone recall their memories of October.
Even for seniors who find it difficult to sense the seasons, this can help them remember the feeling of the season.
Enjoy some brain training with October-themed quizzes!
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[For Seniors] Fun Brain Training! Recommended Quizzes for October (1–10)
The vegetables used for Halloween decorations were originally different from those used today. What were those vegetables?
See the answer
turnip
From October onward, pumpkins line the shelves of many stores. Many people associate Halloween with pumpkins. However, using pumpkins only began after the Halloween custom reached the United States. The ancient Celts, who are said to have held the festivals that mark the beginning of Halloween, are believed to have used turnips instead.
In which era in Japan was the first sports festival (undokai) held?
In autumn, most schools in Japan hold sports days or athletic festivals.
The events vary by age, but competitions like relays and cavalry battles are common, and in recent years, performance events such as dance routines have also become popular.
So here’s a recommended October quiz about sports days: In which era was Japan’s first sports day held? The answer is the Meiji era.
It seems the reason sports days were introduced was to get students to exercise.
At the time, physical education consisted of things like horseback riding and martial arts, so there weren’t many opportunities for general exercise.
What is the moon-viewing event called where one observes a moon slightly waning from full—also known as “Mame Meigetsu” (Bean Harvest Moon) or “Imo Meigetsu” (Potato Harvest Moon)?
What do you call the moon-viewing custom of observing the moon just slightly waning from full—also known as the “Bean-Viewing Moon” or “Taro-Viewing Moon”? The answer is “Jūsan-ya,” or the Night of the Thirteenth Moon.
When it comes to moon viewing, the fifteenth night in September is well known, but there is actually another moon-viewing tradition around October—this is Jūsan-ya.
The fifteenth night custom came from China, while Jūsan-ya is a Japanese tradition.
Both involve enjoying the beauty of the moon, but Jūsan-ya carries the meaning of giving thanks for the autumn harvest.
If you missed the September moon viewing, why not enjoy Jūsan-ya instead?
[For Seniors] Fun Brain Training! Recommended Quizzes for October (11–20)
October is the season for autumn leaves. From what temperature do maple leaves turn red?
Speaking of autumn, it’s the season for fall foliage.
Tourist spots are bustling with people, aren’t they? And when we talk about fall colors, we think of Japanese maples (momiji).
The vivid crimson leaves of momiji at this time of year are truly beautiful.
Here’s a question: do you know from what temperature the leaves of momiji start turning red? The correct answer is 8°C (46°F).
The pigment in the leaves called anthocyanin, which is necessary for the red color, increases when the minimum temperature drops below 8°C, promoting the coloration.
Of course, other weather conditions play a role too, but this can be a useful indicator when planning to view the fall foliage, so feel free to remember it.
October 2 is Tofu Day. Which prefecture in Japan has the highest tofu production?
Tofu, a soy-based food indispensable to our meals.
October 2 is known as Tofu Day.
The reason is simple: in Japanese wordplay, 10 (tō) and 2 (fu) make “tōfu.” Here’s a question related to Tofu Day: Which prefecture produces the most tofu in Japan? The answer is Hokkaido.
Tofu is made from soybeans, and although most soybeans are imported from overseas, Hokkaido can produce soybeans stably, so there are many tofu manufacturers there.
On Tofu Day, be sure to try tofu from Hokkaido.
What is the plant with a sweet fragrance that blooms around early October?
What is the sweet-smelling plant that blooms around early October? The answer is kinmokusei (fragrant orange osmanthus).
Kinmokusei bears clusters of small orange flowers.
Its scent is wonderful—gentle yet distinct.
Perhaps because of its strong fragrance, it’s a flower closely linked with memories of autumn.
It often appears in the lyrics of autumn songs across eras.
Many older adults may also find that the scent of kinmokusei brings back certain scenes or feelings.
Along with the quiz, please enjoy sharing your memories too.
In October 1972, Japan and China normalized diplomatic relations, and China presented an animal as a commemorative gift. What animal was it?
October has pleasant weather and is the best season for field trips, isn’t it? There are many possible destinations for field trips, and zoos are surely one of them.
Here’s a question: In October of 1972, Japan and China normalized diplomatic relations, and China presented Japan with an animal as a commemorative gift.
What was that animal? The answer is “panda.” Zoos have many kinds of animals, but pandas are especially popular.
Their round shape and the way they tumble around are irresistibly cute, aren’t they?