How well do you know Tokyo? Japan's capital city is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, combining ancient traditions, modern technology, famous neighborhoods, historic temples, skyscrapers, and one of the world's largest metropolitan populations.
Tokyo is much more than Shibuya Crossing and Tokyo Tower. The city has a long history, unique districts, famous landmarks, traditional festivals, world-class transportation, and countless cultural attractions.
In this Tokyo Quiz, you can test your knowledge of Japan's capital city with questions covering Tokyo's history, geography, culture, transportation, famous landmarks, food, and modern lifestyle.
Are you ready to find out how much you really know about Tokyo?
How to Play the Tokyo Quiz
Choose the best answer for each question. Try to answer without looking at the answer key first.
There are 20 questions in this Tokyo quiz, ranging from easy questions to more challenging facts about Japan's capital.
Write down your answers and check your score at the end.
Tokyo Quiz: Question 1
What is the capital city of Japan?
- Osaka
- Kyoto
- Tokyo
- Nagoya
Tokyo Quiz: Question 2
What was Tokyo formerly called?
- Edo
- Nara
- Heian
- Yokohama
Tokyo Quiz: Question 3
What does the name "Tokyo" generally mean?
- Eastern Capital
- New Japan
- Imperial City
- City of the Rising Sun
Tokyo Quiz: Question 4
In which year did Edo become Tokyo?
- 1603
- 1868
- 1889
- 1945
Tokyo Quiz: Question 5
Which famous Tokyo neighborhood is known for the enormous pedestrian crossing?
- Asakusa
- Shibuya
- Ueno
- Ginza
Tokyo Quiz: Question 6
Which famous temple is located in Asakusa?
- Senso-ji
- Meiji Jingu
- Zojo-ji
- Hie Shrine
Tokyo Quiz: Question 7
What is the famous red-and-white broadcasting tower in Tokyo?
- Tokyo Skytree
- Tokyo Tower
- Rainbow Tower
- Fuji Tower
Tokyo Quiz: Question 8
Which structure is currently the tallest tower in Tokyo?
- Tokyo Tower
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
- Tokyo Skytree
- Sunshine 60
Tokyo Quiz: Question 9
How tall is Tokyo Skytree?
- 333 meters
- 500 meters
- 634 meters
- 800 meters
Tokyo Quiz: Question 10
Which district is famous for anime, manga, electronics, and otaku culture?
- Akihabara
- Ginza
- Odaiba
- Ebisu
Tokyo Quiz: Question 11
Which Tokyo district is famous for luxury shopping and high-end brands?
- Ginza
- Ikebukuro
- Shimokitazawa
- Ueno
Tokyo Quiz: Question 12
Which shrine is located inside a large forested area in central Tokyo?
- Meiji Jingu
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Yasukuni Shrine
- Nezu Shrine
Tokyo Quiz: Question 13
Which river flows through Tokyo and passes near Asakusa?
- Kamo River
- Sumida River
- Uji River
- Tama River
Tokyo Quiz: Question 14
Which area is famous for Tokyo's electronic stores and gaming culture?
- Akihabara
- Roppongi
- Daikanyama
- Kagurazaka
Tokyo Quiz: Question 15
Which airport is located east of central Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture?
- Haneda Airport
- Narita International Airport
- Kansai International Airport
- Chubu Centrair International Airport
Tokyo Quiz: Question 16
Which airport is located closer to central Tokyo?
- Narita International Airport
- Haneda Airport
- Osaka Airport
- Chubu Airport
Tokyo Quiz: Question 17
Which famous Tokyo market district is known for its food and outer market?
- Tsukiji
- Harajuku
- Shinjuku
- Koenji
Tokyo Quiz: Question 18
Which district is famous for colorful youth fashion and Takeshita Street?
- Harajuku
- Ginza
- Marunouchi
- Otemachi
Tokyo Quiz: Question 19
Which Tokyo district is famous for skyscrapers, entertainment, and one of Japan's busiest railway stations?
- Shinjuku
- Yanaka
- Asakusa
- Jiyugaoka
Tokyo Quiz: Question 20
Which traditional Japanese food is strongly associated with Tokyo's culinary history?
- Edomae sushi
- Takoyaki
- Okonomiyaki
- Hakata ramen
Tokyo Quiz Answer Key
Now it is time to check your answers.
- C — Tokyo
- A — Edo
- A — Eastern Capital
- B — 1868
- B — Shibuya
- A — Senso-ji
- B — Tokyo Tower
- C — Tokyo Skytree
- C — 634 meters
- A — Akihabara
- A — Ginza
- A — Meiji Jingu
- B — Sumida River
- A — Akihabara
- B — Narita International Airport
- B — Haneda Airport
- A — Tsukiji
- A — Harajuku
- A — Shinjuku
- A — Edomae sushi
How Did You Score?
Count how many questions you answered correctly.
0–5 Correct: Tokyo Beginner
You know a few basic facts about Tokyo, but there is still plenty to discover. Tokyo is an enormous city with hundreds of neighborhoods and a fascinating history.
Start by learning about famous areas such as Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku, and Akihabara.
6–10 Correct: Tokyo Explorer
Not bad! You already know many of Tokyo's famous landmarks and neighborhoods.
With a little more knowledge about Tokyo's history and culture, you could become a true Tokyo expert.
11–15 Correct: Tokyo Fan
Excellent! You have a strong understanding of Japan's capital city.
You probably already know many of Tokyo's famous attractions, transportation systems, and cultural districts.
16–19 Correct: Tokyo Expert
Impressive! You know Tokyo much better than the average traveler.
You understand not only Tokyo's famous landmarks but also its neighborhoods, history, and culture.
20 Correct: Tokyo Master
Perfect score!
You really know your Tokyo facts. From Edo's history to Akihabara, Shibuya, and Tokyo Skytree, you have mastered this Tokyo quiz.
Tokyo Quiz: Interesting Facts Behind the Answers
The questions above only provide a small glimpse into Tokyo's fascinating history and culture. Here are some additional facts that make the capital city even more interesting.
Tokyo Was Once Called Edo
Before it became Tokyo, the city was known as Edo.
Edo grew rapidly after Tokugawa Ieyasu established his government there in the early seventeenth century.
For more than 250 years, Edo developed into one of the largest cities in the world.
In 1868, following the Meiji Restoration, the city was renamed Tokyo, meaning "Eastern Capital."
Tokyo Is More Than Just One City
Tokyo is officially a metropolitan prefecture, known as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government or Tokyo-to.
The metropolitan area contains numerous municipalities, while the central part of Tokyo consists of 23 special wards.
Each ward has its own character.
Shibuya is associated with youth culture and fashion, Shinjuku with skyscrapers and nightlife, Ginza with luxury shopping, and Asakusa with traditional Tokyo.
Tokyo Has Ancient and Modern Sides
One of the most fascinating things about Tokyo is the contrast between its traditional and modern environments.
A traveler can visit an ancient Buddhist temple in Asakusa in the morning, explore electronic stores in Akihabara in the afternoon, and watch Tokyo's skyline from a skyscraper at night.
This combination is one of the reasons Tokyo remains one of the world's most distinctive cities.
Why Is Shibuya Crossing So Famous?
Shibuya Crossing has become one of Tokyo's most recognizable symbols.
When pedestrian signals change, people cross the intersection from several directions simultaneously.
The surrounding giant screens, buildings, shops, and crowds create a scene that has become strongly associated with modern Tokyo.
It is also one of the most photographed urban intersections in Japan.
Why Is Akihabara Famous?
Akihabara is one of Tokyo's most recognizable districts for electronics, anime, manga, video games, and otaku culture.
The area developed a distinctive identity around electronics after World War II and later became increasingly associated with anime, manga, gaming, and Japanese pop culture.
Today, Akihabara attracts both Japanese visitors and international tourists.
Why Is Asakusa Important?
Asakusa represents one of the most traditional sides of Tokyo.
The district is home to Senso-ji, one of Tokyo's most famous Buddhist temples.
The temple's Kaminarimon Gate and Nakamise shopping street are among the best-known traditional tourist attractions in the capital.
Why Is Tokyo Skytree Famous?
Tokyo Skytree stands 634 meters tall and is one of the most recognizable structures in modern Tokyo.
The tower provides panoramic views across the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Its height also has a connection with traditional Japanese numerology: the number 634 can be read as mu-sa-shi, a reference to the historic Musashi Province that included much of present-day Tokyo.
Why Is Tokyo Tower Famous?
Tokyo Tower opened in 1958 and quickly became a symbol of Japan's postwar economic growth.
Its design was inspired partly by the Eiffel Tower, although Tokyo Tower was designed specifically for Japan's broadcasting needs.
The tower remains one of Tokyo's most recognizable landmarks.
Why Is Meiji Jingu Important?
Meiji Jingu is one of Tokyo's most important Shinto shrines.
It is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
The shrine is surrounded by a large forest that creates a surprising feeling of tranquility in the middle of one of the world's largest metropolitan areas.
Why Is Ginza Famous?
Ginza is one of Tokyo's most prestigious commercial districts.
It is known for luxury brands, department stores, restaurants, cafes, galleries, and high-end shopping.
The district also has a long history dating back to the Edo period.
Why Is Harajuku Famous?
Harajuku became internationally famous for youth fashion and Japanese street culture.
Takeshita Street is particularly well known for fashion shops, cafes, sweets, and youth-oriented trends.
The area also sits close to Meiji Jingu, creating an unusual contrast between modern youth culture and traditional Shinto culture.
Why Is Shinjuku Famous?
Shinjuku is one of Tokyo's most dynamic districts.
The area contains enormous department stores, office towers, restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping streets, and nightlife districts.
Shinjuku Station is also one of the world's busiest railway stations.
Tokyo's Amazing Railway System
Tokyo's railway network is one of the most important parts of everyday life in the city.
Major operators connect central Tokyo with surrounding cities and suburbs.
The system allows millions of people to move through the metropolitan area every day.
For international visitors, learning how to use Tokyo's trains is one of the most useful skills for exploring the city.
What Is the Yamanote Line?
The Yamanote Line is one of Tokyo's most famous railway lines.
It forms a loop connecting major districts such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Ueno, and Ikebukuro.
Because it connects many of the city's major tourist and commercial areas, it is particularly useful for visitors.
Tokyo and Japanese Food
Tokyo is one of the world's great food cities.
The capital offers everything from inexpensive ramen shops and convenience stores to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Traditional Edomae sushi is one of the city's most famous culinary traditions.
The term refers to sushi associated with the Edo-era tradition of using seafood from Tokyo Bay.
Why Is Tsukiji Famous?
Tsukiji was once home to Tokyo's famous wholesale fish market.
The wholesale market moved to Toyosu in 2018, but Tsukiji's outer market remains a popular destination for food lovers.
Visitors can still find sushi restaurants, seafood, Japanese knives, kitchenware, and other food-related businesses in the area.
Tokyo Is Full of Contrasts
Perhaps the most interesting fact about Tokyo is that it cannot be described with a single image.
Tokyo can be:
- Traditional and futuristic.
- Quiet and extremely busy.
- Urban and surprisingly green.
- Expensive and affordable at the same time.
- Historic and technologically advanced.
- Formal and highly creative.
That diversity is one of the reasons millions of travelers continue to explore the city.
Final Tokyo Quiz Challenge
After completing the 20 questions, ask yourself these additional questions:
- Can you name five famous Tokyo neighborhoods?
- Can you name three historic temples in Tokyo?
- Can you explain why Tokyo was once called Edo?
- Can you name two major airports serving the Tokyo area?
- Can you name three famous Tokyo landmarks?
- Can you name a traditional Tokyo food?
- Can you explain what makes Akihabara famous?
- Can you explain why Shibuya Crossing is famous?
If you can answer most of these questions, your knowledge of Tokyo is already quite impressive.
Related posts:
Tokyo is a city that rewards curiosity. Its famous landmarks are only the beginning. Behind the skyscrapers, railway stations, shopping districts, and neon lights lies a history that stretches back to the days when the city was known as Edo.
From the traditional streets of Asakusa and the shrine forests of Meiji Jingu to the colorful streets of Harajuku and the anime culture of Akihabara, Tokyo offers countless stories to discover.
This Tokyo Quiz is designed to test your knowledge while introducing some of the history, culture, geography, and attractions that make Japan's capital so unique.
So, how many questions did you get right?
Whether you scored 5, 10, 15, or a perfect 20, there is always something new to discover in Tokyo.
Tokyo is not just a city to visit. It is a city to explore, learn about, and experience one neighborhood at a time.