[For Elementary School Students] Ishikawa Prefecture Local Quiz! A Question Collection That Both Kids and Adults Can Enjoy

Kanazawa City

The capital of Ishikawa Prefecture is Kanazawa City. Located in the center of the prefecture, it is also known as a core city. Because it was not bombed during World War II, many old buildings, temples, and traditional streets remain. There are many places where you can feel the history, making it a popular tourist destination. The city has plenty of schools and shops, and it is loved by residents as an easy place to live.

Young power

In Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, there is a dance called “Wakai Chikara” (“Young Power”). Many people from Ishikawa have danced it at least once, such as at school sports festivals. This dance is known as a traditional group performance, characterized by everyone dancing together energetically in unison. It has long been loved by children as a fun event at sports days and is a dance that lets you feel the local culture.

Number 8

There is a famous ramen restaurant in Ishikawa Prefecture called Hachiban Ramen. It got its name “8ban” because it started near National Route 8 in Kaga City. It’s a popular place that everyone in Ishikawa knows. Their most popular dish is the vegetable ramen, which is loaded with vegetables. With plenty of veggies, it’s gentle on the body and loved throughout the prefecture as a delicious ramen.

female snow crab (Kobako-gani)

There are two famous branded crabs in Kanazawa City: “Kanō-gani” and “Kōbako-gani.” When the fishing season opens on November 6 each year, many people come from within and outside the prefecture to buy them. Among the Kanō-gani, the especially high-end ones are called “Kagayaki,” and a single crab can sometimes be auctioned for 5 million yen. Kanazawa’s crabs are known for being very high-end and delicious.

gold leaf

Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture has ideal weather and water for making gold leaf, and many artisans have been producing it there since long ago. Even today, most of the gold leaf used in Japan is made in Ishikawa. The ultra-thin gold leaf is not only used to decorate tableware and buildings, but can also be placed on soft-serve ice cream to eat—it’s beautiful and very popular.

Nonoichi City

The city with the smallest area in Ishikawa Prefecture is Nonoichi. It’s located in the central part of the prefecture. Although it’s small in size, it has a fairly large population, and its population density is the highest in the prefecture. Because it’s right next to Kanazawa, many people commute there. For that reason, Nonoichi serves an important role as a bedroom community and a place to live. It’s a small city, but it attracts people.

People from outside the prefecture

There’s a dialect word in Ishikawa Prefecture: “enjomon.” “Enjomon” means “a person who came from outside the prefecture.” For example, if you say, “That person is an enjomon,” it means “That person is from somewhere other than Ishikawa Prefecture.” People in Ishikawa have long used this word to distinguish people who came from other places. It’s an interesting word that reflects the local lifestyle and linguistic culture.