Japanese Historical Geography and Regional Development Quiz

1. Which region was taken over by the Tokugawa shogunate, known as Ezochi until the Meiji Restoration, with its capital in Sapporo?

Hokkaido

Okinawa

Kyoto

Hiroshima

Hokkaido is the correct answer as it matches the description provided in the question. Kyoto, Okinawa, and Hiroshima are incorrect as they do not fit the given criteria.

Explanation

Hokkaido is the correct answer as it matches the description provided in the question. Kyoto, Okinawa, and Hiroshima are incorrect as they do not fit the given criteria.

2. What is the largest island of Japan where edge-ground axes were found in the Jomon period, continued to exist until the 8th century, and was controlled by the imperial court and Northern Fujiwara at different times?

Shikoku

Hokkaido

Honshu

Kyushu

Honshu is the correct answer as it is the largest island of Japan and matches all the historical and geographical descriptions provided in the question. Kyushu, Hokkaido, and Shikoku are incorrect options as they do not fit the given criteria.

Explanation

Honshu is the correct answer as it is the largest island of Japan and matches all the historical and geographical descriptions provided in the question. Kyushu, Hokkaido, and Shikoku are incorrect options as they do not fit the given criteria.

3. Formerly known as Edo. Was the seat of power for the Tokugawa shogunate. Grew from a small fishing village to one of the largest metropolis of the world. Named Tokyo after 1868.

Nagoya

Kyoto

Osaka

Edo

Edo was the former name of Tokyo before it was renamed in 1868. Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya are other major cities in Japan but are not the correct answer to the given question.

Explanation

Edo was the former name of Tokyo before it was renamed in 1868. Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya are other major cities in Japan but are not the correct answer to the given question.

4. Located in Kanagawa prefecture. Known for the period between 1185 - 1333. Described as former de facto capital of Japan as the seat of the Shogunate. Yoritomo set up his own government here in 1185. Base of Minamoto no Yoritomo.

Edo

Kyoto

Kamakura

Nara

Kamakura was the city where Minamoto no Yoritomo established the seat of the Shogunate, making it an important historical location during the Kamakura period. Kyoto was a former capital of Japan known for its role in Japanese history, but it was not the location of the Shogunate during this particular period. Nara was also an ancient capital of Japan, but it was not the base for the Minamoto clan during the specified timeframe. Edo, which is present-day Tokyo, became a significant city during the Edo period after the Kamakura period.

Explanation

Kamakura was the city where Minamoto no Yoritomo established the seat of the Shogunate, making it an important historical location during the Kamakura period. Kyoto was a former capital of Japan known for its role in Japanese history, but it was not the location of the Shogunate during this particular period. Nara was also an ancient capital of Japan, but it was not the base for the Minamoto clan during the specified timeframe. Edo, which is present-day Tokyo, became a significant city during the Edo period after the Kamakura period.

5. What was the previous capital of Japan, located in the central part of Honshu in the Kansai region, with the former name Heian-Kyo in 794, where Kiyomori accumulated power and made Antoku emperor in 1156?

Tokyo

Osaka

Nara

Kyoto

Kyoto, formerly known as Heian-Kyo, served as the capital of Japan before Tokyo. It is a historic city with significant cultural and historical importance.

Explanation

Kyoto, formerly known as Heian-Kyo, served as the capital of Japan before Tokyo. It is a historic city with significant cultural and historical importance.

6. What city was popular for rice farming in the Yayoi period, referred to as Naniwa in 645, and served as a connection between Yamato, Korea, and China?

Kyoto

Nagoya

Osaka

Tokyo

Osaka was known for its rice farming in the Yayoi period, was called Naniwa in 645, and functioned as a crucial link between Yamato, Korea, and China. Toyotomi Hideyoshi even built a castle in Osaka's place after the raid of Jodo Shinsu Buddhists by Oda Nobunaga in 1496, solidifying its importance as a primary economic center of Japan.

Explanation

Osaka was known for its rice farming in the Yayoi period, was called Naniwa in 645, and functioned as a crucial link between Yamato, Korea, and China. Toyotomi Hideyoshi even built a castle in Osaka's place after the raid of Jodo Shinsu Buddhists by Oda Nobunaga in 1496, solidifying its importance as a primary economic center of Japan.

7. What is the largest city in the Chugoku region of Japan which means 'Wide Island' and was the first city in history targeted by a nuclear weapon? It was established in 1589 by Mori Terumoto.

Kyoto

Nagasaki

Osaka

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is the correct answer as it fits all the criteria mentioned in the question. Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagasaki are not the correct answers as they do not match the description provided in the question.

Explanation

Hiroshima is the correct answer as it fits all the criteria mentioned in the question. Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagasaki are not the correct answers as they do not match the description provided in the question.

8. Which region in Japan refers to the "four provinces" of Awa, Tosa, Sanuki, and Iyo, located near the Yoshino River, and was conquered by Hideyoshi in 1582?

Kyushu

Hokkaido

Chugoku

Shikoku

Shikoku is the correct answer because it is the region in Japan that is made up of the four provinces mentioned in the question, located near the Yoshino River, and was conquered by Hideyoshi in 1582. Kyushu, Hokkaido, and Chugoku are other regions in Japan but do not match the specific characteristics of Shikoku in this question.

Explanation

Shikoku is the correct answer because it is the region in Japan that is made up of the four provinces mentioned in the question, located near the Yoshino River, and was conquered by Hideyoshi in 1582. Kyushu, Hokkaido, and Chugoku are other regions in Japan but do not match the specific characteristics of Shikoku in this question.

9. Previously named Kyukoku. Saikaido refers to this place, and it is named after the nine ancient provinces of Saikaido. Azumi people lived here. Edge-ground axes were found here in the Jomon period. New technologies of the Yayoi period first spread here.

Hokkaido

Shikoku

Honshu

Kyushu

Kyushu is the correct answer because it fits all the descriptions provided in the question, such as being previously named Kyukoku, having the nine ancient provinces of Saikaido, Azumi people living there, edge-ground axes found in the Jomon period, and the spread of new technologies during the Yayoi period.

Explanation

Kyushu is the correct answer because it fits all the descriptions provided in the question, such as being previously named Kyukoku, having the nine ancient provinces of Saikaido, Azumi people living there, edge-ground axes found in the Jomon period, and the spread of new technologies during the Yayoi period.

10. Which city in Kyushu was a center for Dutch and Portuguese influence from 16th - 19th centuries and heavy industry in the Meiji period?

Kumamoto

Fukuoka

Nagasaki

Oita

Nagasaki played a significant role in international trade and industry during historical periods, making it the correct answer.

Explanation

Nagasaki played a significant role in international trade and industry during historical periods, making it the correct answer.

11. Where were the earliest skeletal remains found in the Jomon period, later becoming part of Ryukyu Islands and known for being divided into three small kingdoms until the 15th century, then taken over by the Satsuma clan in 1609, and finally given the name meaning 'long rope' in 1868 by Japanese expeditions?

Okinawa

Hiroshima

Kyoto

Hokkaido

All of the incorrect answers do not match the historical and geographical information provided in the question about the location associated with the Jomon period, Ryukyu Islands, early kingdoms, Satsuma clan takeover, and the meaning of 'long rope' name given in 1868.

Explanation

All of the incorrect answers do not match the historical and geographical information provided in the question about the location associated with the Jomon period, Ryukyu Islands, early kingdoms, Satsuma clan takeover, and the meaning of 'long rope' name given in 1868.

12. What was the site of the ancient city of Heijo-kyo established in 710 and flourished until 784?

Kyoto

Osaka

Hiroshima

Nara

Heijo-kyo was the capital of Japan during the Nara period and is now known as Nara, where many historic temples and shrines can still be visited today.

Explanation

Heijo-kyo was the capital of Japan during the Nara period and is now known as Nara, where many historic temples and shrines can still be visited today.