Life in Fukuoka "English"

➖Guest Interview➖

【Radim】From the Czech Republic, speak Czech, Slovak, German, English and Japanese.

🔎https://www.jpexplained.com/en?utm_source=chatgpt.com

【Hojoya】

One of the highlights of autumn in Fukuoka is Hojoya, one of Hakata’s three major festivals, alongside the Hakata Dontaku festival in spring and the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in summer.

Hojoya is held every year from September 12th to 18th at Hakozakigu Shrine in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City. Around one million people visit during the festival period, and this year it begins this Saturday.

With a history of more than 1,000 years, the festival originally involved releasing fish and birds back into nature as a way of showing respect for life. Today, it is also celebrated as one of Fukuoka’s major autumn festivals, with people praying for a good harvest, prosperity in business, and safety and happiness for their families.

Around 500 stalls line the one-kilometre approach to the shrine. Visitors can enjoy all kinds of festival food, as well as traditional games such as goldfish scooping, water-balloon fishing, and shooting galleries. There is even a retro Showa-era haunted house.

Another familiar sight along the approach is bunches of fresh ginger with the leaves still attached, one of Hojoya’s best-known specialties. In the past, ginger fields spread throughout the area around Hakozakigu Shrine, and visitors would take fresh ginger home as a souvenir after visiting the shrine. That tradition continues to this day.

With plenty to enjoy from morning until night, Hojoya is a wonderful way to give thanks for this season's harvest while experiencing one of Fukuoka’s most distinctive autumn traditions.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Disaster Preparedness Day and Emergency Stockpiling Week

Every year, September 1st is Disaster Preparedness Day in Japan. In Fukuoka City, the week from September 1st through September 7th has been designated Fukuoka City Emergency Stockpiling Week.

“Stockpiling” means keeping food and other essential supplies on hand in case of an emergency. Fukuoka City is encouraging both households and businesses to prepare supplies and to think more carefully about disaster preparedness.

So why is stockpiling so important?

Well, even if you survive an earthquake or typhoon, you still need water and food to stay safe and healthy. If stores are closed, you may not be able to buy food or drinks. If the water supply is cut off, you may not have drinking water, and if electricity or gas is unavailable, you may not be able to cook. Having emergency supplies ready in advance can help you stay safe after a disaster.

So, what should you prepare?

Make sure you have at least three days’ worth of drinking water and food. As a general guide, each person needs around three litres of water per day. For emergency food, prepare items that can be eaten without cooking, such as ready-to-eat rice, including alpha rice, canned food, biscuits, chocolate, and emergency crackers.

Check that your radio and flashlight have working batteries. You should also prepare any medicine you regularly take, as well as first-aid supplies such as bandages. If there is a baby in your family, make sure you have essentials such as diapers.

In addition to drinking water, you will also need water for everyday use, such as flushing the toilet. It is a good idea to keep water stored in containers or to leave some water in the bathtub so that it can be used in an emergency.

Another recommended method is called rolling stock. This means buying a little more of the food you normally eat, using the oldest items first before they expire, and then replacing what you have used. It is an easy and practical way to keep emergency supplies on hand without adding much extra cost or effort to your regular shopping.

Typhoons are common around this time of year, and with the recent major earthquake in Kumamoto, this is a good opportunity to check your emergency supplies and make sure you are prepared for a disaster.

【Fukuoka Music Month】

For many schools, summer vacation comes to an end this week, with the new school term starting next week. And before we know it, September will be here! And speaking of which, September in Fukuoka means one thing: Fukuoka Music Month.

Fukuoka is well known as a city with a thriving music scene, and every year from September into October, a variety of music festivals held throughout the city join forces to create a major celebration of music.

This year, Fukuoka Music Month 2026 will feature five major music events taking place every weekend throughout September. So today, let’s take a look at what is coming up.

First, on the weekend of September 5th and 6th, BAYFES will be held at Bayside Place Hakata. The event aims to turn the waterfront into a port filled with music, with stage performances and even live music aboard a chartered municipal ferry.

There will also be a special eve-of-the-festival event on Friday evening, September 4th, at Hakata Port Tower, one of the landmarks of Hakata Port. The observation deck will be transformed into a stylish lounge for a Special DJ Night to kick off the festival.

It is a free event where you can enjoy music while feeling the pleasant sea breeze along the waterfront.

https://www.baysideplace.jp/bayfes/

Next, on the second weekend of the month, September 12th and 13th, two events will take place.

The first is NAKASU JAZZ, a free jazz festival held throughout Nakasu, one of Fukuoka’s best-known entertainment districts. Stages appear all around the neighbourhood, filling the streets with live performances by around 50 artists. Over the two days, you can enjoy a wide variety of jazz, from standards to more contemporary music, and the performances right in front of you make the experience especially exciting.

Music lovers can't miss it, but even if you are not very familiar with jazz, the energy and atmosphere are sure to draw you in. The festival begins in the evening, and as night falls, the streets of Nakasu become filled with jazz.

Another highlight of NAKASU JAZZ is the chance to see special one-night-only collaboration sessions. It is one of Fukuoka’s signature autumn music events, bringing together live music and the lively atmosphere of the city.

 https://nakasujazz.net/

Also taking place that same weekend is Sing! HAKATA, a community-participation music event held at the plaza in front of JR Hakata Station. The event features three categories: gospel, choir, and a cappella. People come together to sing across musical genres, creating a wave of music right at Hakata, the gateway to Kyushu. The event is scheduled to run from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., and admission is also free.

 https://fmfukuoka.co.jp/lp/singhakata/

Then, on the third weekend, Saturday, September 19th, ISLA DE SALSA – World Beat Festival will be held.

This multicultural festival has a history of more than 25 years and brings people from around the world together through music and dance. The venue is a beach on Nokonoshima Island in Hakata Bay, surrounded by nature and just a ten-minute boat ride from central Fukuoka. The stages will feature musicians and dancers from Japan and overseas, ranging from local amateur bands to internationally renowned artists.

With Latin music at its heart, the festival also brings together music from around the world, dance, food, and art. It is a place to dance, talk, meet people, and enjoy different cultures coming together.

 https://isladesalsa.com/

And finally, wrapping up September for Fukuoka Music Month 2026 is MUSIC CITY TENJIN, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, September 26th and 27th.

Free live stages will appear throughout central Tenjin, turning the entire area into one big music festival. The main stage will be at the Fureai Plaza on the west side of Fukuoka City Hall. A wide range of artists, mainly professional musicians, will perform across a variety of genres. With music coming from all around the city, it is a perfect opportunity to experience Fukuoka as a true “City of Music.”

Another great thing about the event is that you can simply stop by and catch a live performance while enjoying shopping or walking around Tenjin.

https://musiccitytenjin.com/

So on the final weekend of September, why not explore the streets of Tenjin and enjoy as much live music as you can?

Fukuoka Music Month 2026 gets underway this weekend!

There will also be more events in October, so for full details, check the official Fukuoka Music Month website.

【Marine World Uminonakamichi — Night Aquarium】

How about enjoying a slightly different aquarium experience on a summer evening?

At Marine World Uminonakamichi in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City, opening hours have been extended until 9:00 p.m. for its special Night Aquarium event. During this event, the lighting inside the aquarium changes completely after dark, creating a magical atmosphere.

One of the highlights is a spectacular show featuring around 20,000 sardines swimming in time with music and lights. There is also a dolphin show with dynamic jumps against the backdrop of the evening sky, offering a very different experience from the daytime performance.

Marine World Uminonakamichi is home to around 30,000 marine creatures from some 350 species, with exhibits themed around the seas of Kyushu.

At the Island Stage, visitors can observe seals from all angles, while Penguin Beach offers the chance to see penguins up close.

The aquarium has a very different atmosphere at night compared with the lively daytime hours.

The Night Aquarium will be held every day through Sunday, August 23rd. From Saturday, August 29th through Wednesday, September 23rd, it will be held on weekends and national holidays only.

On event days, the aquarium is open from 9:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., giving you plenty of time to enjoy everything it has to offer.

Why not make a visit part of your special summer memories this year?

【Fukuoka City Information】

Minami Civic Center Japanese Conversation Event

Would you like to try chatting in Japanese with local Japanese residents?

A special event bringing foreign and Japanese residents together for conversation will be held on Tuesday, September 8th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Minami Civic Center in Minami Ward.

Participants will form two circles, with Japanese and foreign residents facing each other.

You will chat one-on-one for one minute about a variety of topics. When the time is up, participants will change partners and start another conversation.

By changing partners each time, you will have the chance to talk with many different people throughout the evening.

Participation is free, but advance registration is required.

Places are limited to the first 25 people who apply.

Applications opened on August 15th and are being accepted now through the Fukuoka City website.

For more information, search for “Minami Civic Center Shaberiba.”

It's a great chance to enjoy conversation, meet new people, and make connections across cultures.

【Night at the Fukuoka City Zoo and Botanical Garden】

The Fukuoka City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s popular summer event, “Night Zoo and Botanical Garden,” is being held every Saturday again this year. This much-loved annual event offers special experiences that can only be enjoyed after dark, such as observing the behaviour of nocturnal animals and seeing flowers that bloom only at night.

This year, the Botanical Garden Entrance Garden, which opened in March, is welcoming visitors with a special illumination available only during the event period. Visitors can also enjoy scenes unique to the zoo at night, including lively nocturnal animals and the illuminated penguin area.

Another highlight is feeding time with the zookeepers. It is a great opportunity to observe the animals’ natural behaviour and abilities up close. Feeding sessions are held for nine different species each day, including Japanese macaques and Malayan sun bears.

There will also be plenty of food to enjoy, with food trucks at the plaza in front of the Botanical Garden greenhouse. Workshops and live music performances will also be held, making this an event that both adults and children can enjoy.

The parking lots are expected to fill up early, so visitors are encouraged to use public transportation.

The “Night Zoo and Botanical Garden” summer event at Fukuoka City Zoo and Botanical Garden will be held every Saturday until the 12th of September, so why not head out and enjoy the special experiences that are only available during this event?

【Fukuoka City Information】

Eliminating Drunk Driving

This year marks 20 years since the tragic drunk-driving accident on the Uminonakamichi Bridge in Higashi Ward on August 25th, 2006, in which three children lost their lives.

Since that accident, Fukuoka City has taken a variety of measures to eliminate drunk driving.

Drunk driving is a crime.

After drinking alcohol, you must not operate a car, motorcycle, bicycle, or electric kick scooter.

You must also never lend your vehicle to someone who has been drinking, or give or encourage alcohol to someone who will be driving.

And you must not get into a vehicle if you know the driver has been drinking.

Alcohol reduces attention and judgment, making it harder to notice danger and increasing the risk of unsafe behaviour such as speeding. This can greatly increase the likelihood of a traffic accident.

There are also certain driving behaviours that may indicate a drunk driver. If you see a vehicle behaving like this, please call 110.

For example, a driver may stop well before the stop line, fail to move for some time after the traffic light turns green, weave from side to side, or repeatedly make sudden starts and accelerate sharply.

Each of us needs to have a strong determination not to drink and drive, not to allow others to do so, never to tolerate it, and never to ignore it when we see it.

Together, let’s work to eliminate drunk driving.

【Tenjin Summer Festival】

The Tenjin Summer Festival is back again this year, bringing even more excitement to summer in Fukuoka!

Held for around a month at the Fureai Plaza on the west side of Fukuoka City Hall, it has become one of Tenjin’s most popular annual summer events, and no Japanese summer festival would be complete without Bon odori, or traditional summer festival dancing. Children and adults gather in a circle around the large yagura tower in the centre of the plaza and dance together to everything from nostalgic favourites and the latest pop songs to powerful live taiko drum performances. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese summer festival.

The food stalls offer a wide variety of treats, including festival favourites such as shaved ice and yakisoba noodles, as well as Hakata specialities and trendy desserts.

There is also an ennichi area featuring traditional Japanese festival games. Children and adults alike can enjoy activities such as fishing for water balloons, scooping bouncy balls, and trying their hand at a shooting gallery.

The festival will continue until Sunday, August 23rd.

Once again it is being held at the Fureai Plaza on the west side of Fukuoka City Hall, right in the heart of Tenjin.

The festival is open every day throughout the event period, from 5:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m so, why not stop by after work or while you are out shopping?

【Fukuoka City Information】

The Fukuoka Prize

Each year, Fukuoka City presents the Fukuoka Prize to honour people who have made outstanding contributions to academic research, art, and culture in Asia.

The recipients of the 36th Fukuoka Prize have now been announced.

The Grand Prize will be presented to contemporary artist Ho Tzu Nyen, whose work explores Asian history and memory through moving images.

The Academic Prize will go to researcher Caroline Sy Hau, whose work examines how people in Southeast Asian societies find the freedom to shape their own futures.

The Arts and Culture Prize will be awarded to innovative dancer Pichet Klunchun, who connects the traditions of Asian dance with the modern world and international audiences.

The award ceremony will be held on Monday, September 14th. Public forums will also take place on Saturday, September 12th, and Tuesday, September 15th.

At noon on Saturday, September 12th, Arts and Culture Prize recipient Pichet Klunchun will give a talk. Grand Prize recipient Ho Tzu Nyen will speak later that evening.

On Tuesday, September 15th, Academic Prize recipient Caroline Sy Hau will also give a talk.

Both the award ceremony and the public forums are free and open to everyone, but advance registration is required through the official website.

The registration deadline for the award ceremony is Monday, August 17th. For each public forum, registration closes two days before the event.

For further details, search online for “Fukuoka Prize” and visit the event page on the official Fukuoka Prize website.

【Meiji Park】

Meiji Park, which is currently being redeveloped near Hakata Station, will open this Friday, August 7th.

The newly transformed Meiji Park will serve as a comfortable urban space where people can relax and spend time. Surrounded by abundant greenery, the park will feature a network of multi-level walkways and five distinctive plazas, each with its own character.

Seven businesses will also open in the park, including restaurants and an urban spa, creating a lively new destination where people can spend time in the Hakata Station area.

The businesses throughout the park will reflect the character of Fukuoka. The lineup includes a bakery and bistro supervised by a famous local restaurant, an Italian dining restaurant, and a café and bar where visitors can enjoy music and sweets.

There will also be a pizzeria from Okayama opening its first location in Kyushu, a craft beer bar featuring beer brewed in Saga, and an urban spa offering a new kind of sauna experience.

Meiji Park is set to become a new landmark in front of Hakata Station, so why not stop by and explore it for yourself?

【Information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation】

Consultations Are Available Through LINE Call

Through the Fukuoka City International Foundation’s official LINE account, you can use the LINE Call function to make telephone inquiries about general daily-life consultations, reservations for free specialist consultations, and other services.

Telephone interpretation is also available, allowing inquiries to be handled in multiple languages.

You can also receive information about the Foundation’s events and useful information for foreign residents. Please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation website and add its official LINE account as a friend.

Please note that the Foundation does not respond to chat messages. To make an inquiry in writing, please use the inquiry form on the Fukuoka City International Foundation website.

Legal Consultations and Psychological Counselling

The Fukuoka City International Foundation, located inside the Fukuoka City International Center, offers free legal consultations and psychological counselling for foreign residents of Fukuoka.

Legal consultations are available from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month, and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month.

Each consultation lasts 45 minutes and must be booked in advance. Consultations are provided by lawyers from the Fukuoka Bar Association.

Please let the Foundation know when making your reservation if you require an interpreter.

Psychological counselling is available every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. A Japanese clinical psychologist provides counselling in either English or Japanese.

Please make a reservation if you would like to use this service.

All consultations are strictly confidential, so you can seek advice with confidence.

Inquiries are accepted on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The telephone number is (0120-66-1799).

【Kitazaki Watermelons】

Sweet and delicious Kitazaki watermelons are now in season. They are grown in the Kitazaki area of Nishi Ward, the only watermelon-producing area within Fukuoka City.

There are only three farms producing Kitazaki watermelons, and most of the crop is consumed within Fukuoka Prefecture. As a result, they are rarely available outside the prefecture. 

What makes them particularly special is their sweetness. While ordinary watermelons usually have a sugar content of around 10 to 12 degrees on the Brix sweetness scale, Kitazaki watermelons reach approximately 13 degrees. With the first bite, you can enjoy their crisp, juicy texture and surprisingly rich sweetness. They are sweet right up to the rind, which also means there is plenty of fruit to enjoy.

Many fans look forward to their arrival every year, saying that once you have tasted one, you never forget it. They are truly a hidden local delicacy.

When choosing a whole watermelon, look for one with dark green skin and when buying a cut watermelon, it is recommended to choose one with deep-coloured flesh.

Thanks to favourable weather, this year’s harvest has been plentiful. Kitazaki watermelons will be available until around mid-August at JA farmers’ markets, supermarkets, and other stores.

These wonderfully sweet and delicious watermelons are well worth looking out for, especially if you are a watermelon lover.

【MLB Breakfast Club】

Next, I want to share information about a morning event taking place in Tenjin.

The MLB Breakfast Club in Fukuoka, where visitors can enjoy breakfast while watching Major League Baseball games on large screens, has now begun in central Fukuoka.

The event offers breakfast favourites such as hot dogs and croissants alongside live MLB action.

Many Major League Baseball games are played during the morning in Japan because of the time difference. With this in mind, the event was launched this year to help people start their day with energy by enjoying breakfast while watching Japanese players compete in the major leagues.

The event was held in Tokyo from March through May, followed by Iwate Prefecture in June. Iwate has produced several Japanese MLB stars, including Shohei Ohtani, pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, and pitcher Roki Sasaki. Fukuoka is the third location to host the event.

Screens at the venue will mainly show games featuring teams with Japanese players. Food trucks at the venue will offer four varieties of hot dogs inspired by flavours popular at American baseball stadiums. Other choices include a morning plate with a croissant and bacon, as well as Cajun chicken over rice, a popular American-style dish. There will also be a special local item: the mentaiko hot dog, featuring Fukuoka’s famous spicy cod roe.

The event will run from this week, beginning today the 27th, through August 16th. It will be held in front of the Fukuoka City Tourist Information Centre at the Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Lion Square in Tenjin.

Opening hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekends and national holidays.

The MLB Breakfast Club offers a new way to start the day by enjoying breakfast together with some of the world’s best baseball. Why not stop by and experience it for yourself?

【IRIE MUSIC with JIM BEAM SUMMER FES】

This weekend, LOVE FM’s reggae program, IRIE MUSIC, will hold a special outdoor music festival.

Broadcast every Saturday morning from 8:00, IRIE MUSIC is a program dedicated entirely to reggae. Its hugely popular annual outdoor festival returns again this year for three days in the heart of Tenjin.

The venue will be filled with laid-back sounds, including reggae, hip-hop, and traditional Okinawan music. Admission is free, and everyone can enjoy the event, from people who are new to reggae to longtime fans.

The festival will take place over three days, from this Friday, the 24th, through Sunday, the 26th.

On Friday, the music starts at 4:00 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, it begins at 11:00 a.m., so you can enjoy live music throughout the day and into the evening.

The venue is Tenjin Central Park, located just a short walk from Tenjin Station.

Admission is free.

And of course, no festival would be complete without plenty of delicious food. Popular local restaurants and carefully selected food vendors from across Kyushu will gather at the venue where you can enjoy their dishes together with ice-cold drinks.

With live performances by an exciting lineup of artists, delicious food, refreshing drinks, and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, come and make one of your best memories of the summer at the IRIE MUSIC with JIM BEAM SUMMER FES!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Bicycle Rules and Etiquette

I'm sure like me, many people regularly ride bicycles, but are you familiar with the rules and proper cycling etiquette in Japan?

As a general rule, bicycles must be ridden on the left side of the road.

Pedestrians have priority on sidewalks. When cycling on a sidewalk, ride slowly on the side closest to the road.

Everyone who rides a bicycle is encouraged to wear a helmet and at night, you must turn on your bicycle light.

Riding with a passenger or riding side by side with another cyclist is prohibited. In addition, you must not ride while holding an umbrella, using a mobile phone, or listening to headphones at a high volume.

Cycling under the influence of alcohol is also strictly prohibited.

These are all considered bicycle traffic violations, and cyclists aged 16 or older may receive a fine under Japan’s bicycle traffic penalty system, commonly known as the “blue ticket” system. 

When parking your bicycle, make sure you always park your bicycle in a designated bicycle parking area. Bicycles parked on roads or in other undesignated places may obstruct pedestrians or cause inconvenience, so they may be removed as illegally parked bicycles.

In Fukuoka City, it costs 2,500 yen to have a removed bicycle returned. If it is not collected within a certain period, it will be disposed of.

There are bicycle parking areas near shopping facilities and train stations where short-term parking may be free, so please make use of them.

One more thing to remember is that anyone who rides a bicycle in Fukuoka City is required to have bicycle insurance.

If you cause an accident while riding a bicycle, you may have to pay a large amount of compensation to the other person. Bicycle insurance can cover expenses on your behalf, such as medical costs, if you injure someone while cycling, so please make sure you have bicycle insurance in case of an unexpected accident.

Bicycles are a convenient and environmentally friendly way to get around, so let’s all help keep the roads safe by following the rules and showing consideration for others. 

【Agapanthus Black Jack】

Did you see the Agapanthus Black Jack at the Fukuoka Flower Show? General sales of this flower have now begun in Fukuoka City. Apparently, this variety was unveiled in Japan for the first time at the Fukuoka Flower Show, which was held by Fukuoka City in March last year. It was also selected as the very first “Feature Flower.”

“Feature Flowers” are chosen from among highly acclaimed new varieties from around the world. They are flowers that are easy to grow, blend naturally into city scenery and people’s daily lives, and have the potential to become future flower trends.

Agapanthus Black Jack won the top award in the plant variety category at the Chelsea Flower Show 2023, one of the world’s most prestigious international flower shows.

This variety is known for its unique beauty, with clusters of small, deep black-purple flowers. It also has a long flowering season and can be enjoyed from early summer throughout much of the summer.

Another advantage is that it is highly resistant to heat and dry conditions, making it relatively easy to grow even during Japan’s hot summer weather.

This rare new variety, which has received high praise around the world, can now finally be purchased at garden centres and other retailers, around one year after it was first introduced in Japan.

Why not try growing it yourself as a striking new feature for your garden or balcony?

If you didn't have a chance to see the flowers during the flower show and want to see them for yourself, the Agapanthus Black Jack has also been planted at the Fukuoka City Botanical Garden and Maizuru Park.

When you go for a visit, keep an eye out for the beautiful, deep black-purple flowers of the  Black Jack.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Please Take Care to Avoid Heatstroke

Heatstroke occurs when the body fails to regulate its temperature properly due to heat and intense physical activity, leading to an imbalance of body fluids and electrolytes. Symptoms of heatstroke include headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea.

If you are feeling these symptoms, and unable to drink water on your own, or if cooling your body and replenishing fluids and electrolytes does not lead to recovery, please call emergency services at 119 and request an ambulance. Particularly from July onwards, as the temperatures start to rise after the end of the rainy season, there is a rapid increase in heatstroke-related emergency transport cases. During this period, be cautious as the humidity is high and your body may not be acclimated to the heat.

Heatstroke can happen not only outdoors but also indoors, so caution is necessary. Here are some tips for preventing heatstroke:

Stay hydrated by drinking fluids regularly. You should drink things like barley tea or water during normal daily activities, and  rehydration drinks or sports drinks when engaging in physical exercise. Replenish both fluids and electrolytes when you sweat.

Wear a hat and use a parasol to avoid direct sunlight.

Use air conditioning and fans effectively to keep the room temperature below 28 degrees Celsius.

Use cooling items such as cooling sheets or ice pillows.

Finally, maintain your physical condition by eating well-balanced meals and getting enough sleep. Stay safe and cool this summer.