[For Elementary School Students] Get Hooked! A Collection of Fun, Yamagata Prefecture Local Quiz Ideas for Learning

Shogi pieces

Tendō City in Yamagata Prefecture is Japan’s top producer of shogi pieces. Throughout the city, you’ll find monuments shaped like shogi pieces, creating a pervasive shogi atmosphere. In spring, an event called “Human Shogi” is held, where people act as the pieces in a large-scale game, which spectators can enjoy. Known as the city of shogi, it’s a popular destination that people of all ages—from children to adults—can enjoy.

Frog

In Yamagata Prefecture and the Tohoku region, frogs are called “bikki.” There’s even a saying, “When the bikki croaks, it’ll rain,” meaning that when frogs croak, rain is coming. Frogs often seen near rice paddies and rivers have long been beloved by people as creatures that signal the weather.

cherry (sweet cherry)

Yamagata Prefecture produces the most cherries in Japan and selected the cherry tree as its prefectural tree in 1982. A famous variety is Satonishiki. The sweet, red cherries are also popular as a snack. Large harvests are gathered every year, and tourists sometimes come to visit. Cherries are an important fruit that represents Yamagata Prefecture.

mandarin duck

Yamagata Prefecture has many forests, clear rivers, and ponds that are perfect for mandarin ducks. For that reason, in 1982 (Showa 57), the mandarin duck was chosen as Yamagata’s prefectural bird. Male and female mandarin ducks have different colors, and they are very beautiful birds. In Yamagata Prefecture, there are also places where you can observe mandarin ducks while protecting nature.

safflower

It is a flower that represents Yamagata Prefecture and has been cultivated since long ago. When the petals are picked and processed, they produce a vivid red dye. Also, Yamagata Prefecture’s “prefectural tree” is the cherry, making it a place where you can enjoy abundant nature with both fruit and flowers. Safflower is popular not only for making color but also as an ornamental plant, and it has long been cherished by the people of Yamagata.

Satō Nishiki

This cherry was named after Mr. Eisuke Sato, who cultivated it. It is characterized by a well-balanced sweetness and tartness. It is grown extensively in Yamagata Prefecture and has become one of the prefecture’s proud, representative fruits. It is also popular as a snack and is loved by many people.

Udo Suzuki

He is from Tsuruoka City in Yamagata Prefecture and is also known as a member of a comedy duo. As a “Yamagata Special Mission Tourism and Tsuyahime Ambassador,” Udo Suzuki promotes Yamagata’s delicious Tsuyahime rice and the region’s tourism appeal to many people. He is a well-known figure who appears on TV and at events to showcase the charms of Yamagata and works to boost his hometown.

Ginzan Onsen

Ginzan Onsen is a very popular hot spring resort where retro buildings and streets from the Taisho era remain. In winter, white snow blankets the buildings, creating dramatic scenery. If you like hot springs, it’s a must-visit and highly recommended spot.

Arcadia

In Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, there is an address called Arcadia 1-chome, which is home to various factories and companies. The word “Arcadia” means “utopia,” expressing the idea of an ideal place. It’s interesting that the name of a real address carries meanings of dreams and hope.

Tsuruoka City

In 2005, the former Tsuruoka City merged with Fujishima Town, Haguro Town, Kushibiki Town, Asahi Village, and Atsumi Town—one city, four towns, and one village—to form the new Tsuruoka City. With this merger, Tsuruoka became the largest city by area in the Tohoku region. Since Yonezawa City and Shinjo City did not merge at that time, Tsuruoka is particularly known as a city with an especially large area.