The end of week two has us visiting Akita, which is located at the northern end of the main island of Honshu in the Tohoku region. Akita faces the Sea of Japan and its capital also goes by the same name.
1. What does jenko (じぇんこ) mean in Akita?
2. What does kadagi (かだぎ) mean in Akita?
3. There is a rock on the coast of Oga city in Akita that has become a tourist attraction because it looks like what fictional monster?
4. What is the name of the legendary mixed martial artist and professional wrestler from Akita who was known as the “Gracie Hunter” and was the first of only two Japanese champions in UFC history?
5. The Kakunodate Festival (角館のお祭り) is unique because it is jointly run by a Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple: true or false?
6. The Akita is a large and powerful dog first bred in the Odate region of Akita prefecture. They have webbed paws to help them walk on snow: true or false?
7. Which author and political activist was the first person to bring an Akita dog to the United States?
8. What is the name of this festival where people hoist up eight-metre-high poles decorated with 46 paper lanterns lit by candles?
9. What is the name of the traditional dish from Akita where pounded cooked rice is formed into cylinders on skewers, grilled, and then served with sweet miso or in a hotpot stew?
10. Come up with a haiku poem that portrays the beauty and charms of Akita.
Answers for Day 9: (1) Sanuki (讃岐国) or Sanshu (讃州) (2) It means good bye or see you later (similar to じゃあね) (3) hurry up! (早くして！) (4) Ritsurin Park (栗林公園) (5) udon (6) Yayoi Kusama (7) olive trees (8) Great Seto Bridge (瀬戸大橋) (9) 23