How much do you really know about Tokyo? Japan's capital is one of the world's most fascinating cities, combining centuries of history with cutting-edge technology, traditional culture, modern entertainment, and an enormous transportation network.
Tokyo is famous for places such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, Akihabara, Ginza, Harajuku, Tokyo Tower, and Tokyo Skytree. But how well do you know the history, geography, culture, and everyday life of Japan's capital?
This Tokyo City Quiz features 20 questions designed to test your knowledge of Tokyo. Some questions are easy, while others may surprise even people who have visited Japan several times.
Choose your answers, keep track of your score, and find out whether you are a Tokyo beginner or a true Tokyo expert.
How to Take the Tokyo City Quiz
Each question has four possible answers. Choose the answer you think is correct before checking the answer key at the end of the quiz.
There are 20 questions covering Tokyo's history, neighborhoods, landmarks, transportation, food, culture, and geography.
Ready? Let's begin.
Question 1: What Is the Capital of Japan?
Which city serves as the capital of Japan?
- Osaka
- Kyoto
- Tokyo
- Nagoya
Question 2: What Was Tokyo Called Before?
What was Tokyo historically known as before 1868?
- Edo
- Nara
- Yamato
- Heian
Question 3: What Does Tokyo Mean?
What does the Japanese name "Tokyo" generally mean?
- Western City
- Eastern Capital
- New Capital
- Imperial Mountain
Question 4: When Was Tokyo Renamed?
In which year was Edo renamed Tokyo?
- 1603
- 1700
- 1868
- 1945
Question 5: Which Tokyo District Is Famous for Shibuya Crossing?
Where can you find the world-famous pedestrian crossing surrounded by giant screens and busy streets?
- Shibuya
- Ueno
- Ginza
- Asakusa
Question 6: Which Famous Temple Is Located in Asakusa?
Which historic Buddhist temple is one of the main attractions in Asakusa?
- Senso-ji
- Meiji Jingu
- Zojo-ji
- Nezu Shrine
Question 7: Which Tokyo Landmark Was Inspired by the Eiffel Tower?
Which famous Tokyo landmark was partly inspired by the Eiffel Tower?
- Tokyo Skytree
- Tokyo Tower
- Tokyo Dome
- Rainbow Bridge
Question 8: How Tall Is Tokyo Skytree?
How tall is Tokyo Skytree?
- 333 meters
- 500 meters
- 634 meters
- 750 meters
Question 9: Which Area Is Famous for Anime and Manga?
Which Tokyo neighborhood is especially famous for anime, manga, video games, and electronics?
- Akihabara
- Ginza
- Roppongi
- Ebisu
Question 10: Which District Is Famous for Luxury Shopping?
Which Tokyo district is particularly famous for luxury stores and high-end shopping?
- Ginza
- Koenji
- Ueno
- Yanaka
Question 11: Which Shrine Is Surrounded by a Large Forest?
Which famous shrine is surrounded by a large forest near Harajuku?
- Meiji Jingu
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Yasukuni Shrine
- Kanda Shrine
Question 12: Which Tokyo District Is Famous for Youth Fashion?
Which neighborhood is famous for Takeshita Street and Japanese youth fashion?
- Harajuku
- Marunouchi
- Otemachi
- Shinagawa
Question 13: Which District Is Famous for Skyscrapers?
Which Tokyo district is famous for its huge concentration of skyscrapers and entertainment?
- Shinjuku
- Asakusa
- Yanaka
- Kagurazaka
Question 14: Which River Flows Through Asakusa?
Which major river flows through Tokyo and passes near Asakusa?
- Kamo River
- Sumida River
- Uji River
- Katsura River
Question 15: Which Airport Is Closest to Central Tokyo?
Which major airport is generally closer to central Tokyo?
- Narita International Airport
- Haneda Airport
- Kansai International Airport
- Chubu Centrair International Airport
Question 16: Which Railway Line Forms a Loop Around Central Tokyo?
Which famous railway line forms a loop connecting many major Tokyo districts?
- Yamanote Line
- Chuo Line
- Keihin-Tohoku Line
- Keio Line
Question 17: Where Was Tokyo's Former Wholesale Fish Market?
Which area was once home to Tokyo's famous wholesale fish market?
- Tsukiji
- Shibuya
- Ikebukuro
- Odaiba
Question 18: Which Food Is Strongly Associated With Edo-Tokyo?
Which traditional food is strongly associated with Tokyo's Edo-era culinary culture?
- Edomae sushi
- Takoyaki
- Hakata ramen
- Kansai-style okonomiyaki
Question 19: How Many Special Wards Are in Central Tokyo?
How many special wards make up the central part of Tokyo?
- 15
- 20
- 23
- 30
Question 20: Which Historic Period Made Edo a Major City?
During which period did Edo grow dramatically under the Tokugawa shogunate?
- Heian period
- Edo period
- Meiji period
- Showa period
Tokyo City Quiz Answer Key
Finished all 20 questions? Now check your answers.
| Question | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | C — Tokyo |
| 2 | A — Edo |
| 3 | B — Eastern Capital |
| 4 | C — 1868 |
| 5 | A — Shibuya |
| 6 | A — Senso-ji |
| 7 | B — Tokyo Tower |
| 8 | C — 634 meters |
| 9 | A — Akihabara |
| 10 | A — Ginza |
| 11 | A — Meiji Jingu |
| 12 | A — Harajuku |
| 13 | A — Shinjuku |
| 14 | B — Sumida River |
| 15 | B — Haneda Airport |
| 16 | A — Yamanote Line |
| 17 | A — Tsukiji |
| 18 | A — Edomae sushi |
| 19 | C — 23 |
| 20 | B — Edo period |
How Did You Score?
0–5 Correct: Tokyo Beginner
You know some basic facts about Tokyo, but there is still a lot to discover.
Tokyo has hundreds of neighborhoods, countless attractions, and a fascinating history that stretches back centuries.
6–10 Correct: Tokyo Explorer
Good job! You already know many of Tokyo's most famous landmarks and districts.
Learning more about Tokyo's history, food, and traditional culture could take your knowledge to the next level.
11–15 Correct: Tokyo Fan
Great score! You have a solid understanding of Japan's capital city.
You probably know many of Tokyo's famous tourist destinations and neighborhoods.
16–19 Correct: Tokyo Expert
Excellent! You have an impressive knowledge of Tokyo.
You know more than just the famous landmarks. You also understand important aspects of Tokyo's history, transportation, and culture.
20 Correct: Tokyo Master
Perfect score!
You have mastered this Tokyo City Quiz.
From Edo history and Shibuya Crossing to Tokyo Skytree, Akihabara, and the Yamanote Line, you clearly know your way around Japan's capital.
Tokyo Quiz Facts You Should Know
The questions in this quiz cover only a small part of Tokyo's fascinating story. Here are some additional facts behind the answers.
Tokyo Was Once Edo
Tokyo was historically known as Edo.
The city grew rapidly after Tokugawa Ieyasu established his government there in the early seventeenth century.
Over the following centuries, Edo developed into a major political, economic, and cultural center.
In 1868, during the Meiji Restoration, Edo was renamed Tokyo, meaning "Eastern Capital."
Tokyo Has 23 Special Wards
The central area of Tokyo consists of 23 special wards.
Each ward has its own local government and distinctive identity.
For travelers, this means Tokyo can feel like a collection of many different cities within one enormous metropolitan area.
Shibuya, Shinjuku, Taito, Chiyoda, Minato, and other wards each offer different experiences.
Shibuya Is More Than a Crossing
Shibuya is one of Tokyo's most internationally recognizable districts.
Its famous crossing has become a symbol of modern Tokyo, but the area also has department stores, restaurants, fashion brands, entertainment venues, parks, and cultural attractions.
The district is particularly popular among younger generations.
Asakusa Represents Traditional Tokyo
Asakusa provides visitors with a glimpse of Tokyo's traditional side.
The district's biggest attraction is Senso-ji, one of the city's oldest and most famous Buddhist temples.
The Kaminarimon Gate and Nakamise shopping street are especially popular with visitors.
Akihabara and Japanese Pop Culture
Akihabara has become an international symbol of Japanese pop culture.
The district is associated with anime, manga, video games, electronics, collectibles, and otaku culture.
Its brightly illuminated streets offer a very different experience from historic Asakusa.
Tokyo Skytree Has a Special Number
Tokyo Skytree stands at 634 meters.
The number was chosen partly because 634 can be read as Musashi, referring to the historic Musashi Province, an area that included much of present-day Tokyo.
The tower has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the modern Tokyo skyline.
Tokyo Tower Is Older Than Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Tower opened in 1958 and became a symbol of Japan's postwar modernization.
Tokyo Skytree opened decades later in 2012.
Although Skytree is much taller, Tokyo Tower remains an important cultural symbol of Tokyo.
Meiji Jingu Has a Huge Forest
One of the surprising things about Tokyo is how much greenery can be found within the metropolis.
Meiji Jingu is surrounded by a large forest near Harajuku and Shibuya.
Entering the shrine grounds can feel dramatically different from the busy streets outside.
Tokyo's Railway Network
Tokyo's railway system is essential to the city's daily life.
Millions of passengers use trains to travel between residential neighborhoods, business districts, shopping areas, and tourist destinations.
The Yamanote Line is especially useful for visitors because it connects many major districts in a loop.
Haneda and Narita Are Different
The Tokyo metropolitan area is primarily served by two major international airports: Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport.
Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo, making it particularly convenient for many travelers.
Narita is located farther from central Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture.
Tokyo's Food Culture
Tokyo is one of the world's great food destinations.
The city offers traditional Japanese cuisine, international restaurants, street food, ramen shops, sushi restaurants, department-store food halls, and high-end dining.
Edomae sushi is one of the culinary traditions most closely associated with Tokyo.
What Does Edomae Mean?
Edomae literally refers to the area in front of Edo and traditionally relates to seafood from Tokyo Bay.
Edomae sushi developed during the Edo period and became one of the foundations of Tokyo's sushi culture.
Tokyo Is a City of Contrasts
Tokyo's greatest attraction may be its diversity.
Within a single day, a traveler can experience:
- Ancient Buddhist temples.
- Shinto shrines.
- Traditional Japanese gardens.
- Anime and manga culture.
- Luxury shopping.
- Modern skyscrapers.
- Historic neighborhoods.
- World-class restaurants.
- Quiet residential streets.
- Huge railway stations.
This combination of old and new is one of the defining characteristics of Japan's capital.
Can You Get a Perfect Score?
If you answered all 20 questions correctly, congratulations!
But even a perfect score does not mean you know everything about Tokyo.
The capital contains thousands of temples, shrines, restaurants, parks, shopping streets, museums, neighborhoods, and hidden attractions.
Every visit can reveal something new.
More Tokyo Quiz Questions to Try
If you enjoyed this quiz, challenge yourself with these questions:
- Which Tokyo district is famous for Kabukicho?
- What is the name of Tokyo's Imperial Palace?
- Which Tokyo neighborhood is famous for Yanaka Ginza?
- What is the name of Tokyo's famous artificial island area?
- Which shrine is famous for the Kanda Matsuri?
- What is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo?
- Which district is famous for Roppongi nightlife?
- What is the name of the famous bridge connecting Odaiba?
- Which Tokyo park is famous for cherry blossoms and museums?
- Which Tokyo district is famous for the Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street?
Related posts:
Tokyo City is a fascinating combination of history, culture, technology, food, transportation, and modern urban life.
From its origins as Edo to its transformation into one of the world's most influential metropolitan areas, Tokyo has undergone enormous changes while preserving many elements of its traditional culture.
This Tokyo City Quiz gives you a quick way to test your knowledge of Japan's capital while discovering interesting facts about its famous neighborhoods, landmarks, transportation, and history.
Whether you scored 5 or a perfect 20, there is always more to learn about Tokyo.
How many did you get right?
Share your score and challenge your friends to see who knows Japan's capital city best.