Tsukuba & Kashima Coast Local Quiz Practice: Questions and Explanations
40QEasyIntermediateAdvanced
Review questions from the real quiz with answers, explanations and sources. Think it through first, then reveal the correct answer.
This is a selection from the question pool — the real quiz also draws questions you won’t find here.
Last updated: 2026-09-14
EasyTier 1 — 10 questions
On the same map, a rocket research center sits within reach of a shrine legend centuries old -- that contrast is what makes Tsukuba and the Kashima coast worth quizzing. These first ten questions cover the names that come up whenever this area is described: twin-peaked Mt. Tsukuba, the origins of the space center and the university, the memory of the 1985 Science Expo, the giant bronze Buddha at Ushiku, the legend behind a stone at Kashima Shrine, the region's beloved football club, its fireworks and iris festivals, and its status as Japan's top melon country. Clear all ten and you already have the outline of the area. Every answer comes with its source attached.
Q1.Mt. Tsukuba's summit is known as a twin-peaked mountain, with 'Nantai-san' being one peak. What is the name of the other peak?
Nyotai-san
Miyuki-san
Chuzenji-san
Kaba-san
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerNyotai-san
Mt. Tsukuba has two peaks, Nantai-san (871m) to the west and Nyotai-san (877m) to the east, and is often called 'Fuji in the west, Tsukuba in the east,' the Kanto Plain's own great mountain. It is the lowest peak on the '100 Famous Mountains' list, though compiler Kyuya Fukada is said to have valued its historical and cultural weight over elevation when selecting it.
Q2.The JAXA Tsukuba Space Center has training facilities for astronauts.
True
False
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerTrue
Astronaut training related to the operation of Kibo, Japan's experiment module on the International Space Station, is conducted at the Tsukuba Space Center. Established in 1972, the center has long served as the core hub supporting Japan's space program, from rocket development to astronaut training.
Q3.Which university was the predecessor of the University of Tsukuba?
Tokyo University of Education
University of Tokyo
Ibaraki University
Ochanomizu University
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerTokyo University of Education
The University of Tsukuba opened in 1973 based on the Tokyo University of Education, and is regarded as Japan's first university built on a 'new concept' model. Among its defining features was a distinctive gakugun/gakurui (college/major) structure in place of the traditional faculty-department system; the predecessor institution itself continued to operate for some years afterward.
Q4.What international exposition, with 48 participating countries, was held in Tsukuba City in 1985?
the Tokyo Olympics
Expo '85 Tsukuba
the Osaka World Expo
a G7 summit
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerExpo '85 Tsukuba
Officially named the International Exposition on Science and Technology, Expo '85 ran for 184 days from March to September 1985 in Tsukuba Science City, with 48 countries and 37 international organizations taking part. It set a record for total attendance among specialized (non-registered) world expositions at the time, and in later years a sealed time capsule stuffed with visitors' letters -- 'Post Capsule 2001' -- was buried at the site for future opening.
Q5.The Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition, one of Japan's 'Three Great Fireworks Displays,' is typically held around what time of year?
autumn (November)
summer (August)
winter (January)
spring (April)
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerautumn (November)
The Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition is held every year on the first Saturday of November, and is considered one of Japan's three great fireworks displays, alongside Omagari in Akita and Nagaoka in Niigata. Begun in 1925, the competition now spans nearly a century of history, with pyrotechnicians competing across several divisions, including star mine displays and giant shakudama shells.
Q6.What is the total height of the Ushiku Daibutsu, including its pedestal?
80m
120m
100m
150m
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answer120m
The Ushiku Daibutsu's total height, including its pedestal, is 120m, making it one of the tallest bronze statues in the world. The statue itself accounts for 100m of that height, with the remaining 20m made up by its pedestal, and since its completion in 1993 it has become Ushiku City's best-known tourist landmark.
Q7.The 'kaname-ishi' (keystone) at Kashima Shrine is said, in legend, to hold down the head of a giant catfish believed to cause earthquakes.
True
False
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerTrue
After the 1855 Ansei Great Earthquake, talismans known as 'namazu-e' (catfish prints), referencing the legend that the kaname-ishi holds down the head of a giant catfish believed to cause earthquakes, became popular in Edo, spreading awareness of the stone. Only a small portion is visible above ground; most of it is said to remain buried.
Q8.Which J-League club has Kashima City as its home town?
Mito HollyHock
Kashima Antlers
Kashiwa Reysol
Omiya Ardija
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerKashima Antlers
Kashima Antlers was founded in 1991 based on the Sumitomo Metal Industries soccer team, with Kashima City and Kamisu City among its home towns. As one of the J.League's 'Original 10' clubs from its 1993 launch, it is also one of only two clubs that have never been relegated to J2.
Q9.What festival is held in Itako City's water-town district, timed to the blooming of Japanese iris, hanashobu, and kakitsubata?
Chrysanthemum Festival
Cherry Blossom Festival
Sunflower Festival
Iris Festival (Ayame Matsuri)
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerIris Festival (Ayame Matsuri)
The Suigo Itako Iris Festival showcases Japanese iris, hanashobu, and kakitsubata in bloom, and is a signature festival for the region. What began as a small informal gathering among enthusiasts has grown into an event that draws large crowds each year from late May through late June, now standing as the emblem of early summer in Itako.
Q10.What fruit has Hokota City long led Japan in producing?
melons
strawberries
grapes
mandarin oranges
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answermelons
Hokota City takes advantage of its mild climate and well-drained soil to remain Japan's top melon-producing area for many years running. Cultivation expanded after the introduction of the Prince Melon variety, and the city now also produces original premium brands such as 'Ibaraking,' anchoring Ibaraki Prefecture's reputation as one of Japan's great melon kingdoms.
Even residents of Tsukuba and the Kashima coast may hesitate on the next fifteen: a robotics venture you can bump into inside an ordinary shopping mall, where Lake Kasumigaura actually ranks among Japan's lakes, why Tsuchiura Castle carries the nickname of a floating turtle, and what shape Kashima Port was excavated into. These questions gather the numbers and origins hidden in the region's geography, industry, and history -- the kind of detail no guidebook spells out, and that only comes from actually living here.
Q11.What is the name of the wearable robot, developed and researched at 'CYBERDYNE STUDIO' inside iias Tsukuba, that assists the body's movements when worn?
HAL
ASIMO
Pepper
AIBO
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerHAL
iias Tsukuba houses 'CYBERDYNE STUDIO,' run by CYBERDYNE Inc., the company behind the HAL robot suit used for nursing care and mobility support. CYBERDYNE is known as a venture spun out of the University of Tsukuba, giving shoppers at an everyday mall a hands-on brush with the kind of cutting-edge technology this science city is known for.
Q12.Roughly how many visitors attend Tsukuba City's largest festival, 'Matsuri Tsukuba,' in a typical year?
About 40,000
About 200,000
About 400,000
About 800,000
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerAbout 400,000
Started in 1981, Matsuri Tsukuba is Tsukuba City's signature festival, drawing more than 400,000 visitors most years. Thanks to the city's many international residents, food stalls representing cuisines from around the world are also a popular feature, and its parade includes giant nebuta floats said to be Japan's second-largest such display after the original in Aomori.
Q13.Roughly how many total visitors attended the 1985 International Science and Technology Exposition (Tsukuba Expo '85)?
About 5 million
About 10 million
About 20 million
About 30 million
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerAbout 20 million
Over its 184-day run, Tsukuba Expo '85 drew about 20.33 million visitors, a record at the time for a specialized (non-registered) world exposition. Its unifying theme was 'Dwellings and Surroundings: Science and Technology for Man at Home,' and the fairgrounds in Tsukuba Science City were lined with pavilions from numerous companies and nations.
Q14.Which station is the starting point of the Tsukuba Express?
Tokyo Station
Ueno Station
Nippori Station
Akihabara Station
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerAkihabara Station
The Tsukuba Express starts at Akihabara Station and runs about 58km to Tsukuba Station. Since it opened in August 2005, its fastest service of just 45 minutes between central Tokyo and Tsukuba has driven major housing and commercial development along the line.
Q15.By surface area, how does Lake Kasumigaura rank among Japan's lakes?
1st largest
2nd largest
3rd largest
5th largest
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answer2nd largest
Lake Kasumigaura ranks as Japan's second-largest lake by surface area, after Lake Biwa. Fed by numerous rivers of varying size, including the Sakura and Koise, it is a freshwater rather than brackish lake, long supporting local fishing and tourist boat operations.
Q16.What is the alternative name of Tsuchiura Castle?
Crane Castle
Dragon Castle
Cloud Castle
Turtle Castle
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerTurtle Castle
Tsuchiura Castle was a flatland castle protected by multiple layers of water moats, and its appearance -- like a turtle floating on the water -- earned it the nickname "Kijo" (Turtle Castle). No tenshu (main keep) was ever built there throughout the Edo period, and its surviving Taiko-mon gate still conveys the look of the castle in its heyday.
Q17.Roughly what share of Japan's total lotus root shipments does Ibaraki Prefecture account for?
About 50%
About 20%
About 35%
About 70%
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerAbout 50%
Ibaraki Prefecture leads the nation in both lotus root planted area and shipment volume, accounting for roughly 50% of Japan's total shipments (about 50.2% in the FY2022 crop year). Cultivation is centered around Tsuchiura City along the shores of Lake Kasumigaura, with the harvest peaking from late autumn into winter.
Q18.For what category was the Ushiku Daibutsu recognized as the world's largest when it entered the Guinness World Records in 1995?
Stone statue of Buddha
Wooden building
Bronze statue of Buddha
Standing statue of any kind
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerBronze statue of Buddha
While it ranks sixth in height among standing statues worldwide, the Ushiku Daibutsu is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest bronze statue of Buddha. Earning that title in 1995 helped establish the statue as Ushiku City's best-known tourist draw, both domestically and abroad.
Q19.What was Ushiku Chateau Japan's first example of?
Beer brewery
Whisky distillery
Silk-reeling mill
Full-scale winery
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerFull-scale winery
Ushiku Chateau, using French grape varieties and Bordeaux-style winemaking methods, is regarded as Japan's first full-scale winery. Its founder, businessman Denbei Kamiya, is also known for creating the signature cocktail 'Denki Bran' at 'Kamiya Bar' in Asakusa.
Q20.What rank did Kashima Shrine hold in the old province of Hitachi?
Sosha (general shrine)
Ninomiya (second shrine)
Sannomiya (third shrine)
Ichinomiya (first/highest shrine)
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerIchinomiya (first/highest shrine)
Kashima Shrine holds the rank of "Ichinomiya of Hitachi Province," making it the highest-ranked shrine in the region. Its prestigious rank was also recorded in the Heian-era Engishiki, reflecting its long-standing status as one of eastern Japan's most revered shrines.
Q21.What title did Kashima Antlers win in 1993, the founding year of the J-League?
Emperor's Cup champion
Overall season champion
Nabisco Cup champion
Suntory Series (1st stage) champion
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerSuntory Series (1st stage) champion
In the J-League's inaugural year, which kicked off in May 1993, Kashima Antlers won the Suntory Series (first stage) title. Its predecessor, the Sumitomo Metal Industries team, had been competing at a second-tier level at the time, yet it was still chosen as one of the league's founding 'Original 10' clubs.
Kashima Port is an excavated artificial harbor, dug out of the sand dune area between the Kashima coast and Lake Kitaura, and is one of the largest excavated harbors in the world. Steel and petrochemical heavy industries clustered around the port, and it became the centerpiece of the 'Kashima Development' project that transformed the once-inland Kashima and Kamisu area into a major industrial zone.
The Suigo Itako Iris Festival is held every year from late May through late June, typically reaching peak bloom around June 10th. About 500 varieties and roughly 1 million iris, hanashobu, and kakitsubata plants bloom across the grounds, drawing visitors who often pair the flowers with a boat tour along the canals.
Q24.As of FY2023, where does Hokota City rank nationally in the "vegetables" category of municipal agricultural output?
1st nationally
5th nationally
10th nationally
20th nationally
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answer1st nationally
Hokota City ranks 1st nationally in the vegetables category of municipal agricultural output (about 35.8 billion yen, as of FY2023), reflecting its status as a major producer of melons and other diverse crops. Its mild climate and well-drained soil underpin the cultivation of melons and a wide range of other vegetables.
Q25.Tsukubamirai City was formed through the merger of Ina Town with which village?
Mitsukaido City
Yawara Village
Ina Village
Makabe Town
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerYawara Village
Tsukubamirai City was formed in 2006 through the merger of Ina Town and Yawara Village, both formerly of Tsukuba District. Its name combines the old district name 'Tsukuba' with 'Mirai-daira,' the name of a Tsukuba Express station, and as of now it is the most recently incorporated city in Ibaraki Prefecture.
The final fifteen are the checkpoint before anyone can claim to truly know Tsukuba and the Kashima coast: the temple priest who funded a fireworks display from his own pocket, the role river ports played in carrying goods along the Tone toward Edo, the rocket program a space center first prepared for, and the reorganization behind a university's relocation. This is knowledge buried in the margins of the timeline, delivered with ordering and multiple-select formats that ask you to link scattered facts into a single thread. Clear this tier, and the top titles in the real quiz come within reach.
Q26.In which era did the Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car open?
The Meiji era
The Taisho era
The early Showa (pre-war) era
The late Showa (post-war) era
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerThe Taisho era
The Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car opened in Taisho 14 (1925). It is considered the second-oldest cable car in the Kanto region after the Hakone Tozan Cable Car, and the fifth-oldest in all of Japan; after a wartime suspension and postwar resumption of service, it still connects Miyawaki Station with Miyukigahara today.
Q27.When NASDA (National Space Development Agency of Japan), the predecessor of JAXA, began operations at the Tsukuba Space Center in 1972, what was the main preparatory work initially undertaken?
Preparation for launching the N-I rocket
Preparation for launching the H-II rocket
Development of the Kibo experiment module
Planning for the International Space Station
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerPreparation for launching the N-I rocket
The Tsukuba Space Center was established on June 1, 1972, when NASDA began preparatory work for launching the N-I rocket. Since then, the center has expanded into the core hub of Japan's space program, driving the development of the country's mainstay rockets and supporting operations of the Kibo module aboard the International Space Station.
Q28.In what year was Tokyo University of Education, which formed the basis of the University of Tsukuba, formally dissolved?
1973
1976
1978
1980
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answer1978
Tokyo University of Education continued to exist alongside the University of Tsukuba for several years after its founding, and was formally dissolved in 1978 once its remaining students had graduated. Behind the University of Tsukuba's adoption of the gakugun/gakurui system as a 'new-concept university' lay a goal of overcoming some of the drawbacks associated with the traditional faculty-autonomy structure.
Q29.Approximately how many letters were sealed inside "Post Capsule 2001," a time capsule buried at Expo '85?
About 360,000
About 1.36 million
About 2.36 million
About 3.26 million
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerAbout 3.26 million
Post Capsule 2001 held approximately 3.26 million letters (3,260,636) submitted from around Japan, buried in hopes that they would be opened in a future year. The project drew considerable attention at the time as an attempt to carry the memory of Tsukuba Expo '85 forward to a future generation.
Q30.Roughly how large is Tsukuba City's population, as of 2025?
About 100,000
About 170,000
About 260,000
About 400,000
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerAbout 260,000
Tsukuba City's population is roughly 260,000 (as of 2025), making it one of the more populous cities in Ibaraki Prefecture. Its identity as a science city means it also has a large population of researchers, students, and international residents, a multinational character reflected in local events like Matsuri Tsukuba.
Q31.Approximately what is the surface area of Lake Kasumigaura?
About 100 km²
About 160 km²
About 220 km²
About 300 km²
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerAbout 220 km²
Lake Kasumigaura's surface area is approximately 220 km², making it Japan's second-largest lake after Lake Biwa. Numerous rivers of various sizes, including the Sakura and Koise, flow into it, making it one of the Kanto region's defining lakes.
Q32.Who was the head priest of Shinryuji Temple who funded, out of his own pocket, the fireworks display that became the origin of the Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition?
Akimoto Baiho
Kitajima Yoshikazu
Kutsuki Taneteru
Oda Ujiharu
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerAkimoto Baiho
Akimoto Baiho, the 24th head priest of Shinryuji Temple in the town of Tsuchiura (now Tsuchiura City), used his own funds to hold the fireworks event that started the tradition, owing to his close ties with the Kasumigaura Naval Air Group. Originally intended to console the souls of aviators killed in service, the event later grew into one of Japan's three great fireworks displays.
Q33.Which structure, still standing at the entrance to the honmaru (main enclosure) of Tsuchiura Castle, is known as the only surviving yagura-mon (turret gate) in the Kanto region?
Taiko-mon (Drum Gate)
Ote-mon (Main Gate)
Sakura-mon (Cherry Gate)
Kabuki-mon (Wooden Bar Gate)
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerTaiko-mon (Drum Gate)
The Taiko-mon (drum turret gate) still stands at the entrance to Tsuchiura Castle's honmaru and is considered the only surviving castle yagura-mon in the Kanto region. Rebuilt into its current form in 1656, it survives today alongside the castle's multiple water moats as a reminder of a stronghold that, notably, never had a main keep.
Q34.Approximately how many rahotsu (hair curls) are on the Ushiku Daibutsu's head?
About 120
About 240
About 480
About 960
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerAbout 480
The Ushiku Daibutsu's head is said to have about 480 rahotsu curls, each crafted at a substantial size. It is one of many intricate details that make up the 120m-tall statue, alongside the more than 6,000 bronze plates covering its surface, together reflecting the precision behind its construction.
Q35.Where was Denbei Kamiya, founder of Ushiku Shuzo, originally from?
Aichi Prefecture
Ibaraki Prefecture
Tokyo
Osaka Prefecture
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerAichi Prefecture
Denbei Kamiya was born in Aichi Prefecture (the former Mikawa Province). After moving to Tokyo, he opened 'Kamiya Bar' in Asakusa and made his fortune with the 'Denki Bran' cocktail. He used that fortune to build Japan's first full-scale winery in Ushiku, introducing French grape varieties and Bordeaux-style winemaking methods.
Q36.Approximately how large is the precinct (including its sacred forest) of Kashima Jingu?
About 20 hectares
About 70 hectares
About 120 hectares
About 200 hectares
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerAbout 70 hectares
Kashima Jingu's precinct covers roughly 70 hectares, much of it covered by a rich sacred forest (chinju no mori). As the Ichinomiya of Hitachi Province and one of eastern Japan's most revered shrines, its approach to the main hall -- dedicated to Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, god of martial arts -- is lined with centuries-old trees.
Q37.Kashima Antlers was one of the 'Original 10' clubs in the J.League when it launched in 1993. Which of the following was NOT among the conditions emphasized in selecting clubs at the time?
Establishing a home town
Meeting stadium standards
Stable management foundations
Winning the previous year's Japan Soccer League (JSL) championship
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerWinning the previous year's Japan Soccer League (JSL) championship
In launching the J.League, factors beyond mere strength in the JSL (Japan Soccer League) were emphasized, including regional ties (home town), stadium standards, and stable management foundations. Under this policy, the Sumitomo Metal Industries team -- competing at a second-tier level at the time -- still earned a place among the 'Original 10.'
Q38.In what Showa year did the Suigo Itako Iris Festival begin?
Showa 22
Showa 27
Showa 32
Showa 37
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerShowa 27
The Iris Festival began in Showa 27 (1952). What started as a small, informal gathering among local enthusiasts grew into a large-scale festival now showcasing about 500 varieties and roughly 1 million plants, drawing around 800,000 visitors annually.
Q39.As of a mid-2020s report, for how many consecutive years has Ibaraki Prefecture ranked first nationally in melon production by prefecture?
17 consecutive years
22 consecutive years
27 consecutive years
32 consecutive years
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answer27 consecutive years
Ibaraki Prefecture is said to have ranked first in melon production for 27 consecutive years, with Hokota City as its central production area. Starting from the introduction of Prince Melon cultivation in the early 1960s, the region later developed into a major producer of premium Earl's-type melons as well, including the brand 'Ibaraking.'
Q40.What was the main role of the 'kashi' (river ports) established along the Tone River in the Edo period?
Way stations for collecting goods such as tax rice and transporting them to Edo
Checkpoints for controlling travelers
Shelters during flooding
Ports used exclusively for fishing
Reveal the correct answer
Correct answerWay stations for collecting goods such as tax rice and transporting them to Edo
The kashi functioned as way stations that gathered goods, including tax rice, for transport to Edo by boat. The development of this river transport network was also driven by the Tone River Eastward Diversion Project, which rerouted the river's mouth from Tokyo Bay toward Choshi.
