Japan Geography Quiz

Do you really know about Japan?

Japan is an archipelago made up of thousands of islands, located in East Asia. Its unique geography has contributed to a rich and diverse culture, as well as some of the world's most breathtaking natural landscapes. From snow-capped mountains to pristine beaches, and from bustling metropolises to quaint rural towns, Japan offers a wealth of geographic diversity to explore.

This quiz about Japan’s geography is composed of 63 questions in total. We will test your knowledge in the categories mountains, oceans, cities, islands, plants, animals and climates. Which category do you think is your strength? Get ready to put your thinking caps on and see how well you know the land of the rising sun!

Which mountain is the highest in Japan?
Mount Aino
Mount Kita
Mount Takao
Mount Fuji
How high is Mount Fuji?
3193m
3776m
5642m
5895m
What is the name of the ocean that is found in the east of Japan?
Indian Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Southern Ocean
What is the name of the sea located between Japan and the Korean peninsula?
East China Sea
Sea of Japan
Yellow Sea
Sea of Okhotsk
What is the capital city of Japan?
Osaka
Kyoto
Tokyo
Hiroshima
What is the second largest city in Japan, after Tokyo?
Nagoya
Yokohama
Sapporo
Osaka
What is the name of the largest island in Japan?
Shikoku
Kyushu
Honshu
Hokkaido
What is the name of the island chain that stretches from the southern coast of Japan towards Taiwan?
Kuril Islands
Ryukyu Islands
Bonin Islands
Izu Islands
[check]Which flowers are considered the national flower of Japan?
Sakura (cherry blossom)
Chrysanthemum
Camellia
Plum blossom
Finished, next question
Which flower is used as the Government Seal in Japan?
Chrysanthemum
Peony
Sakura
Paulownia
Which of the following bird is considered the national bird of Japan?
Red-crowned crane
Japanese green pheasant
Japanese crested ibis
Barn swallow
What is the name of the animal that is a symbol of longevity and good luck in Japan?
Tiger
Dragon
Crane
Deer
Japan only has 3 seasons.
True
False
What is the term used to describe the rainy season in Japan?
Tsunami
Sakura
Typhoon
Tsuyu
Mount Fuji last erupted during the Edo Era.
True
False
What does a “station” refer to on a mountain?
Height
Degree of difficulty
Distance
In the trails on Mount Fuji, are there only one station for each number or several stations?
Are you kidding me? Of course there’s only one!
There’s so many stations with the same numbers… it’s so confusing!
The coastline distance of all of Japan is longer than the length of the entire globe.
True
False
The Tottori Sand Dunes, one of the largest sand dunes in Japan, are located along which body of water?
Sea of Japan
Seto Inland Sea
Pacific Ocean
East China Sea
Which city located on the Kyushu island is famous for its hot springs and volcanoes?
Kurume
Sasebo
Nagasaki
Beppu
Which city in Japan is known for its atomic bombing during World War II and its Peace Memorial Park?
Nagasaki
Fukuoka
Okayama
Hiroshima
What is the name of the island that is famous for its art museums and outdoor installations, including the Yayoi Kusama-designed pumpkin?
Awaji Island
Mukoujima Island
Naoshima
Teshima
Which island is famous for its World Natural Heritage listed sacred forests with a “Jomon Cedar Tree” to be more than 7000 years old?
Minamijima Island
Saku Island
Ishigaki Island
Yakushima Island
Which type of seaweed is used in Japanese cuisine and is known for its umami flavor?
Kombu
Nori
Wakame
Hijiki
The square-shaped watermelon is delicious to eat like the normal round-shaped watermelon.
True
False
Which animal is considered sacred and roams freely in Nara Park?
Deer
Pigeon
Swan
Dog
In the story “Momotaro,” which animal did NOT participate in fighting against the Oni monsters?
Dog
Cat
Monkey
Pheasant
Which of the following regions in Japan is most prone to typhoons?
Kanto
Tohoku
Okinawa
Hokkaido
A mountain named “Binboyama” (Poor Mountain) exists in Japan.
True
False
Believe it or not, there’s a mountain in Hokkaido whose elevation number became the name of the mountain! Which one is it?
1714 Meter Summit
1839 Meter Summit
1939 Meter Summit
Which body of water lies between Honshu island and Shikoku island, and is known for its strong tidal currents?
Seto Inland Sea
Kanmon Strait
Tsushima Strait
Bungo Channel
Which body of water lies to the north of Hokkaido island, and is known for its fishing grounds?
Sea of Japan
Sea of Okhotsk
Bering Sea
Chukchi Sea
Which city is referred to as the “nation's kitchen”?
Hiroshima
Fukuoka
Osaka
Nagoya
Which city does NOT have a castle?
Himeji
Sapporo
Matsumoto
Osaka
Kochi
Which prefecture has the most islands in Japan?
Hokkaido
Kagoshima
Tokyo
Nagasaki
How many islands are there in Japan?
200 ~ 300
2000 ~ 3000
6000 ~ 7000
20000 ~ 30000
Which tree is considered sacred in Japan and is often found in Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples?
Pine
Cedar
Ginkgo
Sakura
Which of the following plant is a symbol of good luck and often displayed during New Year in Japan?
Bamboo
Sakura
Plum blossom
Pine
Which animal is known for its habit of bathing in hot springs during the winter?
Snow Monkey
Bear
Wild boar
Deer
In the story “Kintaro,” which animal wrestled with Kintaro?
Deer
Bear
Wild boar
Lion
What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Japan?
-20°C
-30°C
-40°C
-50°C
What is the highest temperature ever recorded in Japan?
39°C
40°C
41°C
42°C
[check]Which mountain ranges are located in Hokkaido?
Kiso Mountains
Tateyama Mountain Range
Daisetsuzan Range
Hida Mountains
Hidaka Mountains
Finished, next question!
[check]Which straits are found around the island of Hokkaido?
Naruto Strait
La Pérouse Strait
Osumi Strait
Nemuro Strait
Tsugaru Strait
OK, next question
[check]Which cities are part of the Chubu region of Japan, located in the central part of Honshu island?
Nagoya
Hamamatsu
Otsu
Kofu
Karuizawa
Yamaguchi
Done! Next question
Which of the following island does NOT exist in the Bonin Islands?
Chichijima (Father) Island
Hahajima (Mother) Island
Anijima (Brother) Island
Ottojima (Husband) Island
Yomeshima (Wife) Island
What is the name of the island in the Pacific Ocean that is entirely volcanic and features a large crater (caldera) created by volcanic activity?
Yakushima Island
Aogashima Island
Iriomote Island
Chichijima Island
[sort]There are many types of cherry blossoms in Japan. Sort the following into early bloomers to late bloomers.
Taiwan cherry
Kawazu cherry
Yoshino cherry
Rosebud cherry ‘Autumnalis'
Sorted, next question
[check]Which trees causes severe allergic reactions during spring?
Japanese cedar
Japanese cypress
Japanese white birch
Japanese alder
Finished, next question
What is the name of the small, short-tailed wildcat that is native to Japan and has been listed as critically endangered?
Serval
Puma
Lynx
Iriomote cat
What is the name of the phenomenon that brings warm, humid air from the south to Japan in the summer and causes heavy rainfalls?
El Niño
Baiu Front
La Niña
Typhoon
[check]Which months of the year have the highest frequency of typhoons hitting Japan?
June
July
August
September
October
OK, next question
[sort]Place the following mountains in order from highest to lowest.
Mount Fuji
Mount Kita
Mount Akaishi
Mount Tate
Done, next question!
Which ocean current does NOT flow across Japan?
Kuroshio Current
Humboldt Current
Liman Current
Oyashio Current
[check]Which of the following are characteristics of the Tsushima Current?
It is a cold current.
It flows out to the Pacific Ocean.
It is a branch of the Kuroshio Current.
Affects amount of snowfall on the Sea of Japan side.
OK, next question
[sort]Japan has held the Olympics 4 times, both during the summer and winter. Place these cities in chronological order.
Tokyo (1st)
Sapporo
Nagano
Tokyo (2nd)
All sorted! Next question
[check]Which islands are a part of the Okinawa Prefecture?
Ishigaki Island
Amami Oshima Island
Sado Island
Miyagi Island
Finished, next!
[check]Which of the following flowers are considered a taboo when laying flowers at a grave?
Rose
Carnation
Orange osmanthus
Chrysanthemum
Japanese gentian
Red spider lily
OK, next question
[check]Which of the snakes in Japan are known to be dangerous and venomous?
Habu
Japanese striped snake
Tiger keelback
Japanese mamushi
Japanese rat snake
Done, next!
[check]Which climate zones are found in Japan?
Subtropical zone
Subarctic zone
Polar climate
Temperate climate
Arid
Finished, next question
[sort]There are 4 major starting points on Mount Fuji. For each trail, you can go up to the 5th station by car or bus, but the altitude for each is different. Place the following stations in order from lowest to highest.
Gotemba Train New 5th Station
Subashiri Trail 5th Station
Yoshida Trail 5th Station
Fujinomiya Trail 5th Station
Sorted! Next question
[check]Which islands are found around the Hokkaido island?
Rebun Island
Okushiri Island
Iki Island
Rishiri Island
OK, next question
[check]Last question! Which of the following prefectures have 3 World Heritage Sites registered in UNESCO?
Hiroshima
Kagoshima
Iwate
Okinawa
Nara
Kyoto
All done!

What is the “Japan Geography Quiz”?

The Japan Geography Quiz consists of 63 questions, and the results are presented by means of a radar chart. The radar chart will show your comprehensive geography knowledge, subdividing it into seven fields for you to clearly understand your score in each field.

Introduction of each category

Mountains

Japan is known for its stunning mountain ranges, which offer some of the world's most breathtaking natural landscapes. The most iconic of these is Mount Fuji, which is one of the important symbols of Japanese culture. But there are many other mountains to explore as well, including the Northern Alps, the Japanese Alps, and the Southern Alps. These peaks offer a range of outdoor activities, from hiking in the summer to skiing in the winter.

Oceans

Japan is an island nation that is surrounded by three different oceans. These waters not only provide a vital source of food and commerce but also support a rich diversity of marine life. From whales and dolphins to a wide variety of fish and shellfish, the oceans around Japan are home to countless species that are essential to the country's culture and economy.

Cities

Japan is a country of contrasts, with some of the world's most vibrant and modern cities coexisting alongside traditional towns and villages. As some major cities like Tokyo are centers of industry, technology, and culture, offering a wide range of experiences for visitors, smaller cities like Kyoto are important cultural and historical centers, with centuries-old temples, shrines, and gardens that offer a glimpse into Japan's rich past.

Islands

Japan is a chain of islands made up of thousands of them, with the majority of the islands being uninhabited. These islands offer a wealth of natural beauty and cultural heritage to explore. Each island has its own unique character, history, and natural features, making them a fascinating and diverse part of Japan's geography.

Plants

Japan is home to a wide variety of plants, including many species that are unique to the country. From the iconic cherry blossom trees that bloom each spring to the lush forests of cedar, pine, and bamboo that cover much of the country, Japan's plants are an important part of its natural heritage. Many of these plants are also woven into the country's culture, from tea ceremonies to flower-arranging traditions.

Animals

Japan is home to a rich diversity of animal and marine life, from the iconic Japanese macaques in the mountains to giant tunas in the oceans. But Japan's wildlife is not just important for its ecological value; many animals are also deeply woven into the country's culture and mythology, making them an essential part of Japan's geography and identity.

Climates

Japan has a varied climate that is influenced by its geography and location. The country is also prone to natural disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, which are an important part of Japan's geography and history. Despite these challenges, Japan's climate has also shaped its culture and way of life, from the use of hot springs for relaxation to the tradition of appreciating the changing seasons.