Life in Fukuoka "English"

【AMAZING THAILAND FEST】

This weekend, on Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st, Amazing Thailand Fest 2026, an event where you can fully enjoy Thailand while staying right here in Fukuoka, will be held.

Over the two days, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of content including popular Thai food and drinks, sales of Thai products and goods, tourism information, and stage performances.
At the food booths, you’ll find popular dishes such as gapao rice and pad thai, along with trendy gourmet foods and sweets. The product booths will feature Thai pants, accessories, and many Thai food products for you to buy. There will also be photo booths, workshops where you can make desserts and flower garlands, and even Thai massage booths. On the stage, there will be performances throughout the day including T-POP, jazz, and traditional Thai “Mor Lam” music. Don’t miss the prize drawing where you could win airline tickets and other luxurious prizes.

Once again, the Amazing Thailand Fest 2026 will be held this weekend, Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The venue is the area in front of the Kihinkan Hall at Tenjin Central Park in Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City.

For anyone that loves Thailand and its culture, this is an event not to be missed. Be sure to stop by!

【Love Earth Cleanup】

To continue, have you heard of Love Earth Cleanup?
It is a community environmental beautification activity in which citizens, companies, and local government work together to clean beaches, rivers, parks, and other public spaces all at the same time. The activity also contributes to achieving the SDGs and tackling marine plastic waste.

This year, it will be held on Sunday, June 14, at six locations within the city:
the beach near the Fukuoka City Uminonakamichi Seaside Youth House in Higashi Ward, the area around Fujita Park in Hakata Ward, Fukuhama Beach in Chuo Ward, Matsuyama Central Park in Jonan Ward, the area around Momochihama at Seaside Momochi Beach Park in Sawara Ward, and Imazu Nagahama Beach in Nishi Ward.

Anyone is welcome to participate, so if you are interested, please check the details and apply through the Fukuoka City website. The event will proceed in light rain but will be canceled in the event of severe weather. Participants should bring their own drinks, hats, towels, and work gloves.

In addition, cleanup activities organized by local communities, companies, and groups will also be held in various locations both inside and outside Fukuoka City. If your schedule allows, please consider joining cleanup events in other municipalities as well.
Let’s all work together to protect Fukuoka City’s rich natural environment.

【The Hakataza Funanorikomi Boat Procession】

This year, the Hakataza “Funanorikomi” boat procession, loved as an early summer tradition of Hakata, will be held again!

“Funanorikomi” is a traditional event dating back to the Edo period, in which kabuki actors announce their arrival in the city where they will perform.

Kabuki is one of Japan’s most famous traditional stage performing arts. Every June, the “June Hakataza Grand Kabuki” is held at the Hakataza Theater in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. It is one of the largest kabuki performances in Kyushu, featuring popular productions and a star-studded cast of actors. The performers, who will be appearing in the production. board boats and travel along the Hakata River, presenting their arrival in Hakata and praying for the success of the performances in a tradition that has continued since the Edo period.

On the day of the event, the boats depart from near Seiryu Park and slowly travel along the Hakata River. Kabuki actors and Hakata geisha ride aboard the boats, creating a lively and elegant parade atmosphere. Visitors can watch the procession up close from along the riverside while enjoying a walk through the city.

As an event where people can experience the atmosphere of kabuki before the performances officially begin, “Funanorikomi” is a lively Hakata tradition that attracts many spectators every year. If you see the procession, be sure to cheer them on from along the route.

【Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

Consultations on Immigration, Residency and Nationality Matters.

Is there anything you don't understand about residency status and term of stay regulations? If there is, the Fukuoka City International Foundation provides free consultation on these matters to the international residents of Fukuoka City.

Consultations are held every second Sunday of the month. They are offered from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, but you must register by 3:30 PM. A gyousei-shoshi, or administrative lawyer will answer your questions and offer consultation.  

There are English and Chinese interpreters present, and so, consultation in English, Chinese and Japanese does not require a reservation. For other languages, please consult with the center at least two weeks in advance.  All consultations are confidential, so please feel at ease to use the service. For more information, the phone number to call is 0120-66-1799. Calls will be taken from 9am to 5:30pm on weekdays.

 Get Consultations through LINE CALL

If you are connected to the Fukuoka City International Foundation's official Line Account, you can use Line Call to contact the center for advice on life here as well as to make reservations for the free professional consultation services that the Foundation provides.  Interpretation over the phone for a number of different languages is available. 

You can also sign up to get information on events or useful information for foreign residents of the city, so if you aren't already connected on Line, just go to the Fukuoka City International Foundation's homepage and click on Add Friend to get connected. 

However, be aware that you cannot send messages through the chat function. If you want to send a message regarding getting advice, then please look up the Fukuoka City International Foundation's homepage on the internet and fill out the help request form on their website. 

【FUKUOKA MUSEUM WEEK】

In Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Museum Week will begin this Saturday, May 16, in conjunction with International Museum Day on May 18. This event aims to promote Fukuoka as a city rich in art and culture, and this year marks its 17th edition.

A total of 18 museums and art galleries across the city will participate, offering a variety of special benefits such as discounts, gifts, and exclusive events. Some venues will even offer free admission. In addition to regular exhibitions, there will also be many special programs, including lectures, workshops, behind-the-scenes tours, and gallery talks, each creatively organized by the participating facilities.

For those who already enjoy visiting museums, this is a chance to experience something a little different. For those who have rarely visited museums before, it’s a great opportunity to step inside for the first time. There are many ways to enjoy it—why not start by casually exploring art and history?

The event runs for nine days, from this Saturday, May 16, to next Sunday, May 24.
For more details, please check the Fukuoka City website.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Light vehicle tax

People who are in possession of a motorized bike or a light vehicle, as of April 1st, must pay a light vehicle tax. 

If you do have a motorized bike or light vehicle, you will receive a tax payment notification in the post, so make sure you take a look inside. Payment is due by June 1st and you can make your payment at a convenience store, bank or post office.  You can even pay via smartphone apps or credit card. 

If you do not pay your taxes, like the light vehicle taxes, you may run into difficulties when it comes time to renew your residency visa  and you may face having your assets seized. 

If there is anything you don't understand or if you are finding it difficult to pay your tax, please contact your ward office for consultation. If you contact them by phone for consultation, 23 different languages are supported. That phone number is (092-753-6113). This phone number will connect to the Multilingual Interpretation Center. After registering with them, you will be connected to your ward office. When you call, make sure that you tell them which language you need to use, the ward in which you live and that you are calling in regards to paying your taxes.

【The Flea Market at Gokoku Shrine】

At Gokoku Shrine located in Ropponmatsu in Fukuoka's Chuo Ward, a flea market is held on a regular basis on the grounds and pathway leading up to the shrine. 

This time it will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 16th and 17th. It starts at 9am and ends at 4pm, and will be held rain or shine. 

Around 250 shops from across Kyushu will gather over the two days, offering a wide range of items including antiques, vintage goods, tableware, accessories, and clothing. One of the attractions is the variety, from everyday usable items to one-of-a-kind pieces. It’s a popular event where you can enjoy chatting with vendors while finding your favorite items.

Food and drink vendors will also be there, bringing together popular shops from different areas, each with their own unique style and flavors to enjoy.

In the calm atmosphere of the shrine grounds, you can enjoy a relaxed space where people and objects naturally come together. It’s a great place to stop by for a stroll or lunch. You might just come across something special and make a memorable discovery.

People from Fukuoka and all over Kyushu head to this lively market, so why not join them for a wonderful, treasure seeking weekend?

【Fukuoka City Information】

The Bicycle “Blue Ticket” System

In Japan, bicycles are treated as vehicles, and riders are required to follow traffic rules.
From April 2026, a penalty system known as the “blue ticket” has been applied to traffic violations committed by cyclists aged 16 and over.

A total of 113 types of violations are subject to penalties. In particular, please be careful of the following:

• Ignoring traffic signals 

• Riding while using a smartphone 

• Riding without lights at night 

• Riding against traffic 

• Riding on sidewalks 

• Riding side by side 

• Using earphones or headphones while riding 

• Riding with an umbrella 

• Riding on the right side of the road 

• Entering restricted areas 

• Failing to stop at stop signs 

Also, never ride a bicycle under the influence of alcohol.
Violations can lead to accidents and injuries.
To use bicycles safely and comfortably, please follow traffic rules and avoid violations.