Question: Within the grounds of Kashihara Jingu, there is a huge display—one of the largest of its kind in Japan—measuring about the size of 14 tatami mats (4.5 m high × 5.4 m wide) that is replaced every New Year. What is it?

A: A giant ema votive plaque
B: A giant omikuji fortune slip

Correct Answer: A: A giant ema votive plaque

Explanation: A giant ema featuring the zodiac animal of the year is displayed at the Outer Worship Hall and has become a very popular photo spot for visitors.

Question: Yakuon Hachiman-jinja Shrine, which is within walking distance of Kintetsu-Koriyama Station, is affectionately known by a certain nickname among local residents. Which of the following is it?

A: Okusuri-san
B: Yako-san

Correct Answer: B: Yako-san

Explanation: Locally, the shrine is affectionately known as “Yako-san,” a name derived in part from an alternative reading of “Yakuon.” The shrine has the refreshing atmosphere of a historic shrine in an old castle town, and it also offers unusual items such as medicinal herb bookmarks and Yakuon dokudami tea.

Introduction: This historic shrine is said to have been built on the site of a medicinal herb garden that served court nobles south of Heijo-kyo during the Nara period.The shrine grounds are home to a medicinal herb garden featuring more than 50 varieties of plants.

Question: The stone walls of Koriyama Castle, which became the residence of Toyotomi Hidenaga, were built using a variety of materials because the castle had to be constructed in a hurry. Which of the following was actually used in the stone walls of Koriyama Castle?

A: A Jizo statue
B: Stones from an ancient burial mound’s stone chamber

Correct Answer: A: A Jizo statue

Explanation: Toyotomi Hidenaga carried out major renovations to Koriyama Castle, but because suitable stone was scarce in the surrounding area and construction had to be completed quickly, stone Buddhist statues, stone pagodas, and other stone objects from nearby temples and shrines were gathered and used to build the castle walls.One of the most famous examples is the “Upside-Down Jizo” found in the stone wall on the north side of the castle keep foundation. The Jizo statue was built directly into the wall upside down, with its head facing downward, and can still be seen through a gap in the stones today.

Introduction: The Local History and Regional Publications Library is located within the grounds of the Koriyama Castle Ruins. Its collection includes tens of thousands of historical documents and classical books, including calligraphy and paintings by successive lords of the Koriyama Domain and materials related to the domain donated by the Yanagisawa family, its former ruling family, as well as many books related to the local area.

Question: Takatori Town in Nara Prefecture, home to the Medicine Museum, is known as one of Japan’s leading “towns of medicine.” In the past, when medicine sellers delivering household medicines visited homes in Takatori, which of the following popular toys did they give to children to make them happy?

A: Ramune candy
B: Paper balloons

Correct Answer: B: Paper balloons

Explanation: In the past, medicine sellers were very good at getting along with children so that families would agree to keep their medicines at home. They handed out paper balloons as souvenirs because they were light, easy to carry, and fun to inflate, much to the delight of the children. It is said that many children eagerly looked forward to the medicine seller’s visits just to receive one.

Introduction: This museum was created by renovating a storehouse at the Musokan Tourist Information Center, and features exhibits on the history of medicine and traditional pharmaceutical tools.It displays tools and equipment once used to make medicines by hand, as well as signs, scales, and other materials related to the pharmaceutical trade.

Question: The Noboriro is an elegant covered staircase that leads from the entrance of Hasedera Temple (Niomon Gate) to the Main Hall. How many stone steps are there in total?

A: 108 steps
B: 399 steps

Correct Answer: B: 399 steps

Explanation: The Noboriro is divided into three sections—upper, middle, and lower—and has a total of 399 gently sloping stone steps.Slowly climbing the steps while taking in the scenery and seasonal flowers, all while enjoying the atmosphere of the Heian period, is a unique part of the Hasedera Temple experience.

Introduction: Nestled in the quiet mountains of Sakurai, Nara, the temple is also known as the “Temple of Flowers” for the seasonal blossoms that color its grounds throughout the year, and has long been cherished as a place of prayer and healing. Its principal image, the Eleven-Headed Kannon statue, is known as one of the largest wooden Kannon statues in Japan.

Question: On the grounds of Murouji Temple stands a National Treasure five-story pagoda built in the early Heian period. In fact, this pagoda is said to be Japan’s “most ___” among wooden five-story pagodas built outdoors. What is it the most of?

A: The thickest in Japan
B: The smallest in Japan

Correct Answer: B: The smallest in Japan

Explanation: Murouji Temple’s five-story pagoda is only 16.1 meters tall. This makes it the smallest outdoor five-story pagoda in Japan. Though small, its beautifully balanced form blends into the surrounding grove of tall cedar trees, and its delicate beauty has been praised as being “like a flower blooming among the trees.”

Introduction: Founded in the late Nara period, Murouji Temple welcomed women even at a time when many temples prohibited them from entering, and became widely known as “Nyonin Koya,” an open place of Buddhist practice for women. The temple is also famous for the beautiful rhododendrons and autumn leaves that color its grounds.

Question: The principal image of Okadera Temple, the Seated Nyoirin Kannon, stands about 4.9 meters tall and is Japan’s largest clay Buddhist statue.It is said that when the statue was created, soil gathered from three countries symbolizing the route by which Buddhism reached Japan was mixed together.Those three countries were Japan, Tang (China), and which other country?

A: Baekje (Korea)
B: Tenjiku (India)

Correct Answer: B: Tenjiku (India)

Explanation: This legend is known as the “soil from three countries.” It was believed that combining soil from sacred lands along the route from the birthplace of Buddhism to Japan would imbue the statue with even greater spiritual merit.Japan, Tang (China), and Tenjiku (India) together symbolized the “entire world” in the worldview of the time.

Introduction: The temple’s official name is Ryugaiji Temple.Since ancient times, it has been widely known as Okadera because it is located in the Oka area. Founded about 1,300 years ago, it is also famous as Japan’s first sacred site for warding off misfortune. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal plants such as hydrangeas and autumn leaves.

Question: Abe Monjuin Temple is a historic temple counted as one of Japan’s Three Great Monju Temples.There is a famous proverb about wisdom that almost everyone in Japan has heard at least once: “Three people together have the wisdom of ___.”Whose name, also found in the name of this temple, goes in the blank?

A: Monju
B: Onmyo

Correct Answer: A: Monju

Explanation: This temple is associated with the origin of the saying, “Three people together have the wisdom of Monju.”Monju Bosatsu is the “Bodhisattva of Wisdom,” and the proverb means that even ordinary people can come up with wisdom as great as Monju’s if three of them gather and discuss a problem together.

Introduction: Founded in 645, this is one of the oldest temples in Japan. As a distinguished branch head temple of Todaiji Temple’s Kegon school, it holds a prestigious status. Its principal image is Monju Bosatsu, famous from the proverb “Three people together have the wisdom of Monju.” Standing about 7 meters tall, it is the largest statue of Monju Bosatsu in Japan, a National Treasure created by Kaikei.

Question: The “Asuka Daibutsu” at Asuka-dera Temple is the oldest Buddhist statue in Japan. Over the centuries, the temple has suffered several major fires, and at times all of its buildings were completely destroyed.However, one miraculous fact about the Great Buddha has continued to the present day. Which of the following is it?

A: It has never been moved and has remained seated in the same spot
B: Part of its body melted from the heat of a fire but later naturally returned to its original form

Correct Answer: A: It has never been moved and has remained seated in the same spot

Explanation: The Asuka Daibutsu has a history of surviving a major fire during the Kamakura period that destroyed its hall. For a time, it sat alone in a simple structure consisting only of pillars and a thatched roof.Even so, it is said to have remained in exactly the same spot where it was originally placed, never moving for more than 1,400 years, and continues to watch over us today.It is a remarkably mysterious story that has been passed down through the centuries.

Introduction: This temple was completed in 596 as Japan’s first full-scale Buddhist temple. Its principal image, a seated bronze statue of Shaka Nyorai and an Important Cultural Property, dates from the temple’s founding in the Asuka period and is known as the oldest Buddhist statue in Japan.

Question: Yoshimizu-jinja Shrine on Mount Yoshino has a very unusual history: during a turbulent period, it once served as Emperor Go-Daigo’s temporary Imperial Palace.After leaving Kyoto and moving to Yoshino, what was the court established there called?

A: The Southern Court
B: The Northern Court

Correct Answer: A: The Southern Court

Explanation: During the Nanboku-cho period, Emperor Go-Daigo left Kyoto and moved to Yoshino, where Yoshimizuin temporarily served as his Imperial Palace. This marked the beginning of the Nanboku-cho period, when two emperors ruled at the same time, and Yoshino became the base of the Southern Court.It is a setting with a deeply prestigious yet poignant history, echoing the courtly drama and historical backdrop of the story.

Introduction: Originally known as Yoshimizuin, this prestigious temple lodging for practitioners of Shugendo was founded more than 1,300 years ago during the reign of Emperor Tenmu. It later became a shrine following the separation of Shinto and Buddhism during the Meiji period. Many historical stories and episodes associated with the site have been passed down through the centuries.

Question: The three hidden principal images of Kinpusenji Temple, the statues of Kongo Zao Gongen, have striking blue bodies unlike any other Buddhist statues.This distinctive blue color is said to represent a particular emotion of the Buddha. Which of the following is it?

A: Compassion
B: Anger

Correct Answer: A: Compassion

Explanation: The blue color of Zao Gongen represents a “heart of compassion.” This vivid blue expresses a powerful determination to mercilessly destroy evil in the world and save those who have lost their way, even if it means using overwhelming force.

Introduction: Zaodo, the main hall of Kinpusenji Temple, is a symbolic structure of Mount Yoshino, a sacred site of Shugendo, and is said to be the second-largest historic wooden structure in Japan after the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple. It is a structure that could be called the very foundation of Yoshino’s culture and is also a core component of the World Heritage Site.

問題：支給待ち

A：支給待ち
B：支給待ち

正解：支給待ち

支給待ち支給待ち支給待ち支給待ち

【紹介文】
支給待ち

Question: A 1998 survey revealed that something had been painted on the ceiling of the stone chamber inside the Kitora Tumulus. Later analysis showed that it has scientific value as one of the oldest examples of its kind in the world.Which of the following does it depict, demonstrating the advanced knowledge of the time?

A: A precisely constructed astronomical chart
B: An accurate anatomical diagram of the human body

Correct Answer: A: A precisely constructed astronomical chart

Explanation: The ceiling depicts more than 68 constellations represented in gold leaf, along with red circular lines showing the celestial equator and ecliptic, as well as the sun and moon.It is remarkably accurate even by the standards of modern astronomical charts and is considered one of the oldest surviving scientific star charts in the world.

Introduction: This facility allows visitors to deepen their understanding of the Kitora Tumulus and its wall paintings.Exhibits include a full-scale replica of the stone chamber, culture introduced from the Asian continent, and information on the archaeological excavations.

Question: In spring and autumn, Ofusa Kannon Temple becomes filled with beautiful flowers blooming throughout the temple grounds, creating what is known as a “Flower Mandala.”What kind of flower is it?

A: Peonies
B: Roses

Correct Answer: B: Roses

Explanation: Around 4,000 rose bushes are planted throughout the temple grounds. Many varieties, including English roses, fill the air with a rich, sweet fragrance, allowing visitors to stroll through the elegant grounds while experiencing a floral expression of the Buddhist world of the mandala.

Introduction: Ofusa Kannon Temple, formally known as Kannonji Temple, is a distinguished head temple of the Koyasan Shingon school of Buddhism.Rather than being founded by a person of special status, it was built and cared for by ordinary local people, and is known as a temple of popular faith that has long offered comfort to people facing the worries and hardships of everyday life.

Question: Hanairaka, now used as a historical museum for Imai-cho, is an impressive Western-style building constructed during the Meiji period.In fact, the building was originally constructed for a particular purpose. Which of the following was it?

A: An educational museum established to promote education and industry
B: A guesthouse built to receive distinguished visitors from overseas

Correct Answer: A: An educational museum established to promote education and industry

Explanation: In 1903, the building was constructed as an “educational museum,” something extremely rare at the time, and was later also used as the town hall.Today, it serves as a center of knowledge that preserves and shares the history and written records of Imai-cho with present-day visitors.

Introduction: Built in 1903 as the Takaichi District Educational Museum, the building was also used as Imai Town Hall from 1929. Today, it serves as a museum bringing together a wide range of materials that explain the history of Imai-cho in a clear and accessible way, allowing visitors to learn about the town’s history from a variety of perspectives.