How many can you get right? Toyama Prefecture Local Quiz! A Fun Question Book for Elementary School Students

Lawson

Toyama Prefecture is known for having a very high number of Lawson convenience stores. It’s often said to be a “Lawson-dominant” area, with Lawson having the most locations. The next most common is FamilyMart, followed by 7‑Eleven. Lawson spread early in the region and can be seen all around town. It’s easy to stop by after school or when going out, making it a familiar part of residents’ daily lives.

Toyama City

Toyama City is the capital of Toyama Prefecture. It spreads from the center of the prefecture to the southeast and is the most populous city in the prefecture. With the city hall and the prefectural office located there, it serves as the political and daily-life hub. Due to its large scale, it is designated as a core city, and transportation and commerce are thriving. Toyama Bay lies to the north, and the Tateyama Mountain Range is visible to the south, offering abundant rivers and natural scenery. There are many schools, hospitals, and shopping areas, making it a city where you can live with peace of mind.

firefly squid

The firefly squid is a creature known as the “mystery of Toyama Bay.” In spring, they gather close to the shore and can be caught with set nets, which is rare even worldwide. Firefly squid have luminous parts on their eyes and the tips of their tentacles, and their blue glow is very beautiful. It isn’t clearly understood why they glow. Their taste is slightly different from other squid, and they are cherished as a specialty of Toyama.

Toyama Kitokito Airport

Toyama Kitokito Airport is an airport located in Toyama City. It is known as the only airport in Japan built on a riverside floodplain next to a river. The name “kitokito” is a Toyama dialect word meaning “fresh.” It’s a name befitting Toyama, which is known for its abundance of fresh fish and food. As the prefecture’s aerial gateway, it connects Toyama with Tokyo and overseas, supporting the movement of people and goods.

Masu-zushi (Trout pressed sushi)

Masu-zushi is a famous local dish from Toyama Prefecture. It’s a type of pressed sushi made by placing trout on top of rice, and it’s also very popular as an ekiben (boxed meal sold at train stations). A distinctive feature is that it’s packed in a round wooden container called a “wappa,” lined with bamboo leaves. Its appearance is beautiful, making it a popular choice as a souvenir. There are various ways to write the name, such as “masu-zushi” or “masu no sushi,” but the contents are the same. It’s a delicious dish that represents Toyama.

yellowtail

Toyama Prefecture consumes more yellowtail than anywhere else in Japan. Among them, the winter-caught “kan-buri” is especially famous—its firm flesh is delicious. Yellowtail is a “shusseuo,” a fish whose name changes as it grows, and it has long been cherished as an auspicious fish. In Toyama, it is used in local dishes such as kabura-zushi and buri daikon, making it an essential presence on winter dining tables.

Imizu City

The city with the highest population density in Toyama Prefecture is Imizu. Many people live in a small area, with about 1,990 people per square kilometer. Imizu is located in the western part of Toyama Prefecture and has the third-largest population in the prefecture. Meanwhile, Toyama City, the prefectural capital, has the largest population in the prefecture, but because it covers a large area, its population density is about 337 people per square kilometer. This shows that how people are concentrated varies depending on the size of the city.