Japan Quiz: Show Your Shogunate Knowledge with This Japanese History Quiz

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"Enrich the country, strengthen the army." – Motto of the Meiji Restoration

Japanese history has enriched and strengthened the nation, molding it into one of the world's leading economic superpowers. From ancient warring clans to a modernized united Japan, the country has evolved from a shogunate state of warlords to a parliamentary representative democratic constitutional monarchy. 

What do you know about this evolution of Japan? Take our Japanese History Quiz to explore the world of ancient Japan to that of its modern state! 

Test your History Knowledge

"In Japanese, we have a word for those feelings that are too deep for words: Yugen. Yugen gives us a profound sense of the beauty and mystery of the universe." – Dr. Qing Li

Discover the yugen of Japan by acing this Japanese History Quiz!

What is the medieval Japanese military caste called? Who became the world's first Buddhist statesman? What did the Meiji Restoration bring forth? When do the Japanese celebrate national foundation day? Are you a Japanese historian? Then, you'll have no problem acing our Japanese History Quiz.

This quiz will bring about feelings that are too deep for words. Explore the mystery of the universe with our Japanese History Quiz!

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Does your wealth of knowledge center around the past? Is history one topic that always intrigues and entertains you? Then, kick back with our history quiz collection. Whether you're exploring broad history or some niche subject, QuizGriz has quizzes written just for you.

Ace this Japanese History Quiz and then cross the sea to China with our Chinese History Quiz. If North American history is more your style, try our Canadian History Quiz or our Mexican History Quiz. How knowledgeable are you about the U.S. government or historical figures? Test out of our U.S. Government and Historical Figures Quizzes now. Let history repeat itself by getting addicted to our QuizGriz history section! 


Jessica Holom is a freelance writer and digital nomad with a background in literature, art, and writing. She believes curiosity never killed a single cat and enjoys learning, world-exploring, and writing about both.

Japanese History Quiz Questions

25 Questions · 190 Plays · No comments

Question 1

There was once a warrior caste in Japan. What was this hereditary military nobility known as?

  • A
    Geisha
  • B
    Samurai
  • C
    Kuge
  • D
    Kazoku

Question 2

The atomic bomb was used for the first time (and, hopefully, the last) during World War II. On what two cities were the bombs dropped?

  • A
    Hiroshima and Nagasaki
  • B
    Nagasaki and Okinawa
  • C
    Hashima and Hiroshima
  • D
    Okinawa and Hashima

Question 3

Even warlords need a big kahuna. What was the leader of the medieval Japanese warlords called?

  • A
    Shogun
  • B
    Algonquin
  • C
    Kannushi
  • D
    Kokugaku

Question 4

Meaning "the way of the gods," Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan. What does it believe is connected to the gods?

  • A
    Children
  • B
    The planets
  • C
    Nature
  • D
    Samurai

Question 5

Japan invaded this country twice in the late 16th century in an attempt to conquer the peninsula and beyond. Name that nation.

  • A
    Korea
  • B
    Russia
  • C
    China
  • D
    Vietnam

Question 6

The Mongols weren't just a threat to China and the mainland; they also attempted to invade Japan. What defeated them?

  • A
    Earthquake
  • B
    Flood
  • C
    The Japanese
  • D
    Typhoon

Question 7

The attack on Pearl Harbor drew the U.S. into World War II once and for all. Why did Japan initiate the attack?

  • A
    The Japanese were angry about American aggression
  • B
    The U.S. was too close for comfort
  • C
    The U.S. was trying to prevent Japan's global expansion
  • D
    Japan wanted to encourage the U.S. to enter the war

Question 8

Japan started shaking things up in Asia in the early 20th century. After Hirohito rose to power, what region did Japan first invade?

  • A
    Thailand
  • B
    Manchuria
  • C
    Taiwan
  • D
    Cambodia

Question 9

In the early 18th century, what natural disaster occurred, killing an estimated 20,000 people?

  • A
    A sharknado
  • B
    A major hurricane
  • C
    The world's most destructive typhoon
  • D
    The eruption of Mount Fuji

Question 10

Japanese isolationism came to an end with the signing of a trade treaty between Japan and which country?

  • A
    United States
  • B
    Britain
  • C
    China
  • D
    France

Question 11

Founding Japan's first and only dynasty, what clan rose to power in the classical period?

  • A
    Akiyama clan
  • B
    Minamoto clan
  • C
    Yamato clan
  • D
    Khan clan

Question 12

Japan installed an isolationist foreign policy in the late 17th century that would last more than 200 years. Why?

  • A
    So their religion wouldn't become contaminated
  • B
    So they could grow from within
  • C
    Because they needed space
  • D
    To create demand for their domestic products

Question 13

The 16th century saw many European explorers travel to the Orient. Who were the first Europeans to set foot in Japan?

  • A
    The British
  • B
    The Portuguese
  • C
    The Spanish
  • D
    The Dutch

Question 14

47 members of what group were ordered to kill themselves after seeking revenge for their master?

  • A
    Ronin
  • B
    Geisha
  • C
    Kung Fu black belts
  • D
    Buddhist monks

Question 15

Laying the foundation for Buddhism in Japan, who was the world's first Buddhist statesman and the "Father of Japanese Buddhism"?

  • A
    Dalai Lama
  • B
    Etō Shimpei
  • C
    Prince Shotoku
  • D
    Ōkubo Toshimichi

Question 16

Which two countries did Japan go to war with (and win against) in the late 19th century?

  • A
    Taiwan and Korea
  • B
    China and Russia
  • C
    Korea and the United States
  • D
    Russia and Taiwan

Question 17

In the history of Japan, there were three "Great Unifiers". Who was NOT one of them?

  • A
    Naruhito
  • B
    Tokugawa Ieyasu
  • C
    Oda Nobunaga
  • D
    Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Question 18

Happy Japan Day! When does Japan celebrate its national foundation?

  • A
    November 10
  • B
    July 4
  • C
    February 11
  • D
    June 12

Question 19

A civil war famously took place between two samurai families, seeing the central authority in Japan collapse. What was it called?

  • A
    100 Years War
  • B
    Hagi Rebellion
  • C
    Onin War
  • D
    Akizuki War

Question 20

When Emperor Kammu took power, he tried to edge Buddhism out of politics by moving the capital to what modern-day city?

  • A
    Okinawa
  • B
    Tokyo
  • C
    Bangkok
  • D
    Kyoto

Question 21

"A strong economy is the source of national strength." Who is Japan's current head of state?

  • A
    Kim Jong-Un
  • B
    Yoshihide Suga
  • C
    Fumimaro Konoe
  • D
    Shinzo Abe

Question 22

What emperor took over in 1868, forming the Empire of Japan?

  • A
    Emperor Komei
  • B
    Emperor Taishō
  • C
    Emperor Rama
  • D
    Emperor Meiji

Question 23

Not two decades after World War II, Japan was the second-largest economic superpower in the world. What was this era of growth called?

  • A
    Japanese Economic Miracle
  • B
    Japanese Economic Super Mario Mushroom
  • C
    Japanese Economic Surge
  • D
    Japanese Economic Boom

Question 24

What powerful samurai clan relegated the imperial family to a puppet role during the 13th century?

  • A
    Khan clan
  • B
    Minamoto clan
  • C
    Ashikaga clan
  • D
    Imagawa clan

Question 25

Japan wasn't entirely cut off from the world. Despite their isolation, Japan still did business with which two groups?

  • A
    The Portuguese and the Spanish
  • B
    The Spanish and the Dutch
  • C
    The Dutch and the Chinese
  • D
    The Chinese and the Portuguese

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