Life in Fukuoka "English"

【TOUR de KYUSHU】

The international cycle road race TOUR de KYUSHU 2026 will be held again this year over four days, from Friday, October 9th through Monday, October 12th.

This is a road race officially sanctioned by the UCI, the Union Cycliste Internationale, with riders racing on public roads across Kyushu.

Going to watch is free. You can cheer on the riders from along the course, or visit the free finish area, where you can follow the race while enjoying booths, stage events, and local food and drinks.

And this year, for the first time, the Saga–Fukuoka Stage on Saturday, October 10th will finish in Tenjin, Fukuoka City.

The race will start in the morning from Hado Cape in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, before heading toward Fukuoka City  through areas including Itoshima.

In Fukuoka City, the riders will race through the city centre, passing areas around Kushida Shrine and Watanabe-dori, before finishing at around 1:00 p.m. near Tenjin Bridge on Meiji-dori.

And don’t worry if you are not an expert on cycle racing. You can simply head into Tenjin as you would for a day out, check the large screen to see where the race is, and then move to the roadside as the riders approach the city centre.

You can also enjoy the booths, stage events, and local food and drinks at the cheering area in Tenjin Central Park.

For one day, the familiar streets of Fukuoka will become the course for an international road race, turning the city into one big festival venue.

Why not head out and cheer on the riders?

🔎 https://tourdekyushu.asia/

【Fukuoka City Information】

Bicycle Rules and Etiquette

Many people regularly ride bicycles, but are you familiar with the rules and proper cycling etiquette in Japan?

As a general rule, bicycles should be ridden on the left side of the road. Pedestrians have priority on sidewalk, so if you ride on a sidewalk, please 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 use a bicycle light.

Riding with a passenger or riding side by side with another cyclist is prohibited. In addition, you must also 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 strictly prohibited as well.

These are 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.

And please make sure to park your bicycle in a designated bicycle parking area. Bicycles left on roads or in other undesignated places may obstruct pedestrians or cause inconvenience, and 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.

Something else to be aware of 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 help cover expenses such as medical costs if you injure someone while cycling.

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.

🔎 https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/shimin/seikatsuanzen/shisei/jitensya-kotsurule.html