Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Cherry blossom viewing】

It's just about time for cherry blossom season here in Fukuoka, so let me introduce a few spots to go and do a bit of hanami, or cherry blossom viewing.
First, we've got Maizuru Park, a 15 minute walk from Tenjin. The park is known for housing the Fukuoka Castle ruins, a symbol of the park you might say. At the ruins, you'll find yourself surrounded by more than 1000 beautiful cherry trees, with a wonderful light up at night during the blossom season. Along the moat, you'll also see the cherry trees reflected on the water, making for a spectacular sight. During the season, the grounds are filled with food stalls and food trucks, so that people can enjoy hanami even at night. You might want to stop at Imaya, one of the stands, for a delicious hamburger to enjoy as you do hanami. Some other places to consider for hanami are the Fukuoka City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park in Higashi Ward and Aburayama's Citizen Park where you enjoy walking among the trees for some forest bathing and cherry blossom viewing. Finally, Atago Shrine, where you'll find the cherry tree of good luck, is one more place to visit. Of course, the list doesn't stop there in Fukuoka City. In many parks and streets, even in the middle of the city, you can enjoy hanami, so enjoy it to the fullest while the cherry trees are in full bloom. Here's to a great hanami season this year!

【FukuokaCity Information】

Disposing of Garbage from Moving Home

I mentioned that it's moving season now that spring is here.That means that this time tends to be when we see a lot more oversized garbage and so I've got some information on how to use the Oversized Garbage Disposal Call Center.
The first way to do it is by applying for pickup with the Oversized Garbage Disposal Call Center. First, contact them by phone or by internet, or even through the Official Fukuoka City Line Account, to put in your application and then purchase the appropriate oversized garbage disposal ticket at the convenience store or other shops. The garbage pickup day will be roughly one week after you apply. You must put out the garbage by 8:30am on the collection day in the designated spot.
The phone number for the Oversized Garbage Disposal Call Center is 092-731-1153. Again, that number is 092-731-1153. If you apply via the internet or Line, you can do so at your convenience, 24 hours a day.
For TV's, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, clothes dryers and air conditioners, according to the home appliance recycling law, there are specific guidelines for disposal. You can have the old appliance removed by the firm installing the new one or you can contact the store where you originally bought the appliance. You can also contact the Yamada Denki in your city about disposal.
Recycling fees as well as fees for collection and transport will be required.

Citizen's Natural Disaster Prevention Day
To continue, I have one more announcement. Fukuoka City has designated March 20 as "Citizens' Disaster Prevention Day" to keep the experience of the March 20, 2005 Fukuoka Prefecture Seiho-oki Earthquake from being forgotten.
In recent years, major disasters such as earthquakes and heavy rain have occurred in many areas. We never know when a disaster will strike. In order for each of us to take appropriate actions when a disaster strikes, it is important to be prepared on a daily basis.
Please check the Fukuoka City website for hazard maps and information on disaster prevention, and again prepare and confirm what to take with you when you evacuate. Let's take this "Citizens' Disaster Prevention Day" as an opportunity to think about disaster prevention for the safety of yourself, your family, and your community.

【Sunset Live】

This weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, marks THE end-of-summer music event in Fukuoka: "Sunset Live." It's a large-scale outdoor music festival held at a beachfront location. With the sea as a backdrop, stages are set up on the sandy beach, amidst the woods, and at the campsite. Amazing artists covering various genres of music take the stage, making it a truly diverse experience. Numerous food and beverage stalls from Fukuoka's dining scene are also present, offering the chance to enjoy drinks and gourmet delights. There's also a strong emphasis on eco-friendly activities to protect the environment, making it an environmentally-conscious event. The venue is adorned with numerous art installations, and live painting performances are also showcased. Childcare facilities are available, allowing families with children to participate. Activities like marine sports are available, meaning you can get the full summer experience before summer ends. I encourage you to come and enjoy the festivities. Convenient shuttle buses are available from Hakata-Tenjin area; for more details, search for "Sunset Live 2023."

And, there'll be a special LOVE FM feature on the event at a later date, so be sure to tune in!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Disaster Prevention Day and Stockpiling Encouragement Week

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City. Disaster Prevention Day is an annual awareness day and is on September 1st. And in Fukuoka City, the week of the 1st to the 7th of September is Fukuoka City's Stockpiling Encouragement Week. Stockpiling refers to keeping a good supply of food and other necessities in your home. And through this one week event, the city hopes to raise its citizens' awareness of disaster prevention, including the need to stockpile in both our homes and workplaces.

So why do we need to stockpile? Well, if there is an earthquake or typhoon, even if you aren't in danger, without food or water, we can't survive. If the stores shut down, we can't buy the food and drinks we need. If the water supply is disrupted, there's no water to drink. And, if the electric and gas are out, there's no way we can cook food. So, in order to ensure that the lives that have been saved can actually survive, it's important to have emergency supplies prepared in advance.

Alright, so what should be stockpiled?

Make sure to have a three-day supply of drinking water and food. One person needs roughly three liters of water per day, this is something to keep in mind. Nonperishable emergency foods like freeze-dried rice, canned foods, biscuits, chocolate bars and hardtack are some things that are good to have on hand. Food that doesn't need to be cooked is essential.

If you have a radio and flashlight, make sure they have batteries. And if you take medicine, or need bandages or anything like that, make sure you have extra supplies in with your first aid kit. If there is an infant in your family, make sure you have diapers in your supplies as well.

In addition to the water you'll need for drinking, you'll also need water for flushing the toilet and other daily needs. Keep a polyethylene water tank with tap water and consider keeping your bathtub filled as well.

Buy a little more than you usually do, of the foods you normally eat, and as you use them up, consuming them based on their expiration dates, keep replacing them so that you always have a little more than enough in your house. This is your rolling stock. This is recommended because you always have a certain level of stored food, and it falls within the scope of your usual shopping routine in terms of cost and time.

As typhoons do often occur around this time of year, take this opportunity to prepare for disasters once again.

【Firefly Watching】

This season is firefly watching season. It's the time of year, in which you can watch these adorable, glowing bugs dance along streams and rivers. Fireflies are one of those symbols of summer in Japan, and definitely tells us summer is nearly here. With their faintly glowing lights, flickering in and out, people can't help but to be captivated by their charm.

The best time to see fireflies is at the end of May and the beginning of June. They can be found around areas with very clean water, and in Fukuoka there are quite a few places to see them.

Motogigawa Shizenkoen in Fukutsu City is where you'll find a place called Hotaru no Sato, or the village of fireflies, and Tanadashisuikoen Park in Tohomura are quite famous places to see fireflies, but there are also places right here in Fukuoka City. One place is the rooftop garden at Hakata Station. It's called the Tsubame no Mori Hiroba and is a great place to forget the hustle and bustle of the city for a moment and enjoy the beauty of nature. So, if you are in Hakata, definitely check it out.

When you do go to see these rare insects, make sure that you don't try to catch them or surprise them. They too are living creatures and appreciate good manners.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Rainy Season and Heavy Rains

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City. In Japan, June to July is rainy season and is called "tsuyu" in Japanese. It is a period of frequent rainfall and is also a time to be cautious as it is also a season when heavy rain disasters can occur. 

In recent years, Fukuoka Prefecture has experienced significant damage due to record-breaking heavy rainfalls during the rainy season. When it is raining heavily, please avoid going near places that can become dangerous during these rainstorms, such as rivers, coastlines, and mountainsides. It is also important to take action to protect yourself during this time.

One thing you can do is to check hazard maps and disaster prevention information on the Fukuoka City website. It is advisable to familiarize yourself in advance with the risks and evacuation procedures specific to your residential area. For more details, search for "Fukuoka City Multilingual Portal" and refer to the "Disaster" page.

Important information from Fukuoka City is also shared in multiple languages on the official Facebook page "Global Community Fukuoka" and the Fukuoka City International  Foundation Facebook page "Fukuoka City International Center/ Attaka Fukuoka." Follow these pages to stay updated on important information.

Aikasa

In addition, to help you out during rainy season, the city of Fukuoka provides a shared umbrella service called "AIKASA." There are spots at subway stations and department stores where you can borrow umbrellas, and you can easily rent them using your smartphone. These umbrellas are available 24/7 for 110 yen, cheaper than buying a disposable umbrella and also, environmentally friendly. Consider using this service when you're suddenly caught out in a rain shower!

【Disaster Prevention Day-Evacuating during a Disaster】

Today, I want to talk about Disaster Prevention Day, an annual awareness day on September 1^st.  More specifically, I want to give you some information on evacuating during a disaster.

The Japanese kanji for evacuation means "avoiding difficulty. And that is exactly what you are trying to do. In the event of an emergency, it is important to know in advance where you can secure your safety.

If heavy rain is forecasted, or if heavy rain actually occurs, or if other risks increase, you should evacuate to a place where you can be sure of safety.

If you are in or near a "dangerous area," you should be prepared to evacuate immediately even if Fukuoka City has not issued an evacuation notice. If there is a risk, such as with forecasted or actual heavy rain, be prepared and evacuate based on your own judgment.

Dangerous areas" are areas where there is a risk of landslides or flooding, such as near mountains or rivers, or in flood-prone areas.

You can check the "Hazardous Areas" on the "Fukuoka City Comprehensive Hazard Map" on the Fukuoka City website. It will show you useful information on evacuation sites, locations of city and ward offices, and hazardous areas in the event of a disaster and give you information on things you should know in case of an earthquake, tsunami, typhoon, or flood.

https://webmap.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/bousai/

You don't have to only go to evacuation centers set up by the city, by the way. If it is safe to do so, you can also evacuate to the homes of relatives and acquaintances, hotels, and other evacuation sites.

This kind of "distributed evacuation" is especially important now with covid-19 infections a concern.

Those who are in "safe areas" where there is no risk of landslides or flooding should stay in their homes and ensure their own safety.

A "safe place" though, does not mean that there have been no disasters in the past. If you feel even the slightest bit of danger in your surroundings, please move to another location.

In addition to emergency supplies you may have already prepared, like water, food, cell phone chargers, medicine, and medicine notebooks, you should also prepare an emergency bag in advance that includes masks, disinfectant solution, thermometers, plastic gloves, and other items as a measure against the spread of infection.

【Information from Fukuoka City】

Disaster Prevention Day and Stockpiling Encouragement Week
To continue, I have some information from Fukuoka City. IN addition to Disaster Prevention Day, in Fukuoka City, the week of the 1st to the 7th of September is Fukuoka City's Stockpiling Encouragement Week. Stockpiling refers to keeping a good supply of food and other necessities in your home. And through this one week event, the city hopes to raise its citizens' awareness of disaster prevention, including the need to stockpile in both our homes and workplaces.

So why do we need to stockpile? Well, if there is an earthquake or typhoon, even if you aren't in danger, without food or water, we can't survive. If the stores shut down, we can't buy the food and drinks we need. If our water system is stopped, there's no water to drink either. And, if the electric and gas are out, there's no way we can cook food. So, in order to really be safe, it's important to keep a rolling stock.

Alright, so what should be stockpiled?
You should have drinkable water and 3 days worth of food. One person needs roughly three liters of water per day, something to keep in mind. Emergency foods like freeze-dried rice, canned foods, biscuits, chocolate bars and hardtack are some things that are good to have on hand. Food that doesn't need to be cooked is essential.
If you have a radio and flashlight, make sure they have batteries. And if you take medicine, or need bandages or anything like that, make sure you have extra supplies in with your first aid kit. If there is an infant in your family, make sure you have diapers in your supplies as well.

In addition to the water you'll need for drinking, you'll also need water for flushing the toilet and other sanitary needs. Keep a water tank full of water on a daily basis or fill the bathtub so that you do have that extra water on hand.

Buy a little more than you usually do, of the foods you normally eat, and as you use them up, make sure you replace them so that you always have a little more than enough in your house. This is your rolling stock. This is recommended because then you don't have to worry about expiration dates like when you keep a bag full of emergency food in your closet.

We get typhoons every year, so take a look at what you have in your home and make sure you are prepared.

【The Kyushu Sumo Tournament】

Well, it's time of year again...what time of year you say? The time of year in which you may see sumo wrestlers in yukata, around the city. That's right, the Ozumo Kyushu Basho is back. Have you ever seen a sumo match live?

Well, from the 14^th to the 28^th of November, you might have a chance. The Ozumo Kyushu Basho or Kyushu Sumo Tournament will be held during that time at the Fukuoka International Center. It's been two years since the last Kyushu Basho due it being cancelled because of the pandemic.

Many of the Sumo wrestlers you may spot around town are still minor but in the future, many of them will become famous. The sumo whose names are often mentioned on TV and in newspapers don't often appear in public, as they are quite popular.

You can get tickets to see the sumo matches for only 2000 yen for the cheapest seats, but be prepared to line up from first thing in the morning to get those tickets. The best seats in the house, called Tamari, are about 20,000 yen per person. It's a sumo fan's dream to watch a match from a Tamari seat at least once in their life. As it's been two years since the last Kyushu Basho, there is no doubt that this year's event is going to be exhilarating. It's been about 10 years since I last went so I'm definitely thinking about going this year.

【Autumn's National Fire Prevention Campaign】

Now I have some information from Fukuoka City. This year, November 9^th to 15^th is the Autumn National Fire Prevention Campaign week. As we move from Autumn to Winter, the air becomes drier and incidents involving fires increase. In Fukuoka City last year, there were 261 incidents! The main causes of incidents involving fires include cigarettes, gas burners and home heaters.

Some concrete examples of the incidents that might occur are when clothes hanging to dry or curtains are near a gas heater catch fire, or when your futon or blanket is too close to the gas heater and, while you are sleeping, catch fire. It's really dangerous to put things that might be flammable near a gas heater. Also, don't forget to switch off the gas heater when it's not in use.

You've also got to be careful with those little gas burners. When it gets cold, and you want to make a nabe or hot pot at the table, the gas burner often comes out. And when you do use it, make sure you're far enough away from anything flammable, like curtains or blankets.

Finally, be careful of starting fires with cigarettes. This should go without saying but do not smoke while in bed and don't let your cigarette butts just pile up. Make sure you put your cigarette out completely when you are done smoking.

Also, check that the smoke alarm in your house is working and that your fire extinguisher is up to date every now and again. It's important to practice fire safety every day.

【Nice Teeth Day】

One more announcement for you. November 7^th and 8^th are Iina, Iiha day. It's a bit of word play with the sounds of the month and days and basically it means 'ahh, lucky you, nice teeth' day. So what's happening on these days? They are a reminder for everyone to take care of those handy, dandy chompers we have in our mouth that let us bite down on and chew the food we love so easily. Of course, to keep our mouths healthy, it's important to brush our teeth every day to keep our mouths clean. In addition, regular checkups for cleaning, cavities and other oral diseases are something to get done to make sure you can keep your teeth healthy for years to come.

Fukuoka City wants to help its residents out with that with milestone dental examinations. Residents who have celebrated their 35^th, 40^th, 50^th or 60^th birthday between April 1^st to March 31^st of the following year can go for a dental and gum examination for only 700 yen. For residents who have turned 70 during that period, the examination is free. In addition, women who are expecting can receive a free prenatal and postnatal dental exam once during pregnancy and once within one year after childbirth.

You can get advice on how to brush your teeth better and also check if you're missing any spots when you go for your exam. It's important to know if you are missing spots, as you want to keep your teeth as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Take this time to look back on your eating habits and oral care, is there anything else you should be doing?

【Vegetable Day】

This morning, I've got a topic that will hopefully make you want to eat your veggies! August 31^st is Vegetable Day, because August 31 can be read as Ya-Sa-I in Japanese. Did you know that the daily recommended amount of veggies for an adult is about 350 grams? That's not really a lot if you think about it, but according to research, most of us are about 60 grams short of getting our daily total in! That's easy to fix though. All you need to do is add one dish of leafy veg to your meal.  A side of sauteed spinach or a mini veggie stir-fry or even a little green salad will do!

I bet there's been times though when you've gone to the store to buy your veggies, not quite getting through all of them before they went off and ended up throwing them away. It hurts. The key to avoiding that is getting cut vegetables. You can get pre-cut vegetables in single serving portions at a number of supermarkets and convenience stores. If you are worried about all that packaging, you can also prep cut veggies yourself and store them in the freezer. You just need a little time and possibly a quick YouTube tutorial viewing. Having pre-cut veggies on hand is convenient because you can make soup in little time, throw some extra veggies on top of your ramen or whip up a stir-fry, making sure you get in your 350 grams a day!

I actually did a challenge with my friends once in which we had to try to eat at least 10 kinds of vegetables each day for a month. It sounds hard but it's actually quite easy with a little creativity. I think I managed 20 different vegetables in one day! Nabe or hotpots are a easy way to eat lots of vegetables but mincing carrots, onions, mushrooms and garlic and adding them to burgers is another sneaky way of getting plenty of veg in!

【Disaster Prevention Day and Stockpiling Encouragement Week】

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City. Disaster Prevention Day is an annual awareness day and is on September 1^st. And in Fukuoka City, the week of the 1^st to the 7^th of September is Fukuoka City's Stockpiling Encouragement Week. Stockpiling refers to keeping a good supply of food and other necessities in your home. And through this one week event, the city hopes to raise its citizens' awareness of disaster prevention, including the need to stockpile in both our homes and workplaces.

So why do we need to stockpile? Well, if there is an earthquake or typhoon, even if you aren't in danger, without food or water, we can't survive. If the stores shut down, we can't buy the food and drinks we need. If our water system is stopped, there's no water to drink either. And, if the electric and gas are out, there's no way we can cook food. So, in order to really be safe, it's important to keep a rolling stock.

Alright, so what should be stockpiled?

You should have drinkable water and 3 days worth of food. One person needs roughly three liters of water per day, something to keep in mind. Emergency foods like freeze-dried rice, canned foods, biscuits, chocolate bars and hardtack are some things that are good to have on hand. Food that doesn't need to be cooked is essential.

If you have a radio and flashlight, make sure they have batteries. And if you take medicine, or need bandages or anything like that, make sure you have extra supplies in with your first aid kit. If there is an infant in your family, make sure you have diapers in your supplies as well.

In addition to the water you'll need for drinking, you'll also need water for flushing the toilet and other sanitary needs. Keep a water tank full of water on a daily basis or fill the bathtub so that you do have that extra water on hand.

Buy a little more than you usually do, of the foods you normally eat, and as you use them up, make sure you replace them so that you always have a little more than enough in your house. This is your rolling stock. This is recommended because then you don't have to worry about expiration dates like when you keep a bag full of emergency food in your closet.

We get typhoons every year, so take a look at what you have in your home and make sure you are prepared.

【Cleaning Your Washing Machine】

June is a time in which we not only get a lot of rain but also have a lot of humidity. And it's during this season that mildew and mold grow easily, so it's important to keep food and other ingredients in the fridge to keep them fresh. But there's something else you might want to think about keeping fresh. When was the last time you cleaned out your washing machine? Washing machine? It washes, so it doesn't need to be cleaned is what some might think. But in fact, you should clean out your washing machine at least once a month to help prevent the growth of germs and mold and mildew. The easiest way to clean your washing machine is with some baking soda, it's called “Jyu-Sou, which you can pick up at a 100 yen shop. Put it in the empty machine, run the cycle and when the machine fills up with water, stop it there and let the water and “Jyu-sou” mixture sit for 5-6 hours. Dirt and other bits will float to the top over that time. Scoop all of that out, and then let the machine finish its cycle. Once all the water has drained, leave the lid of the machine up so that the inside can dry out. There are also some special machine cleansing detergents on the market which can also be used to keep your machine shiny and clean, so when you have the chance, give your washing machine a thorough cleaning!

Oh and when you do the laundry, if you live in a place with thin walls, try to avoid doing your wash too late at night as the spin cycle can be pretty noisy for the folks around you.

【Rainy Season and Heavy Rains】

Now for some information from Fukuoka City. As you know, throughout Japan, June and July are the months when we get lots of rain, it is Japan's rainy season. And this year, rainy season started much earlier than usual, in Northern Kyushu, it actually started on May 15^th. And with heavy rains, it's much easier for natural disasters to occur, so please take care during this rainy season.

Last year in July, we had record breaking rainfall and Fukuoka prefecture experienced quite a lot of damage from it. So, when it is raining heavily, please keep yourself safe and stay away from places like rivers, coastlines and mountain overhangs as they can be dangerous.

On the Fukuoka City Official Website, hazard maps and disaster prevention information is available for you to check at any time. So before a disaster happens, take the time to find out what areas around you might be dangerous and how you should evacuate in the case of a disaster.

If evacuation to an evacuation center becomes necessary, make sure that you do wear a mask and wash your hands to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. For more information on all of this and more, please look up “Support for Foreign Residents” and take a look at the disaster prevention information that is available on that Fukuoka City Foreign Resident Support page.

You will also find important information on the Fukuoka City's Official Facebook page “Global Community Fukuoka”, as well as on the Fukuoka City International Foundation's Facebook page “Fukuoka City International Center/ Attaka Fukuoka”, in a number of foreign languages. If you follow these pages, then whenever important information is posted, you'll be sure to get it!

【I-Kasa】

I have another announcement that might come in handy for you this rainy season and that is the umbrella sharing service “I-Kasa” that we have here in Fukuoka City. With your smartphone, you can easily arrange to rent an umbrella when you're stuck outside without one. Pick-up points are at places like subway and train stations as well as at department stores.

It only costs 70 yen to rent an umbrella for 24 hours which is cheaper than buying one of those cheap plastic ones and it's much friendlier to the environment. Definitely take advantage of this service on those days when the rains come without warning.

For more information, just look up I Kasa Fukuoka.

【Pro-Baseball】

Well, the topic up to bat today is Pro-Baseball! Have you ever watched a game here in Japan? Baseball is a really popular sport in Japan and Nippon Professional Baseball consists of two leagues, the Central League and the Pacific League, each of which has 6 teams. They play to win, of course, and work to become number one in their league. The final showdown is when the top team from each league plays to be the number one team in Japan.

Fukuoka City's home team, the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks are part of the Pacific League and their stadium is Fukuoka PayPay Dome. The Hawks are a strong team and this year are hoping to keep their position as the number one team in Japan for the 5^th year in a row. The season starts in just a few days on Friday, March 26^th this year, so if you've got the chance, why not catch a game!

I guess I could say I'm a supporter of the Hawks, seeing as how Fukuoka has become my second home. I mentioned way back that I'm from Detroit and, of course, support that team. Baseball fans, do you know which team belongs to Detroit? If you said the Detroit Tigers, you are correct!

【Citizen's Disaster Prevention Day】

Now I have some information from Fukuoka City.

On March 20^th, 2005, the Fukuoka Prefecture Western offshore earthquake hit Fukuoka City. And so that people would not forget what happened on that day, March 20^th became Citizens' Disaster Prevention Day. We never know when a disaster might strike and it's up to each and every one of us to prepare on a daily basis so that we can take appropriate action and protect ourselves for when something does happen.

If you look at Fukuoka City's homepage, you can check hazard maps and get information on disaster prevention and what you should take with you if you need to evacuate. If you check Support for Foreign residents, you'll find disaster prevention information for foreign residents so make sure you check that important information regularly. Citizens' Disaster Prevention Day is an opportunity to think again about disaster prevention for the safety of our ourselves, our families and the community.

【Special Weekend Open Hours at Ward Offices】

As March and April are busy months for moving house, consultation desks at the ward offices tend to get crowded. Therefore, on Sunday, March 28^th and Sunday, April 4^th, ward offices will be temporarily opened to allow those who are too busy during the week to submit their notifications of moving in or moving out. On those days, moving in or moving out notifications and other paperwork related to moving house will be accepted between 10 am and 2pm.

【Preventing the spread of Covid-19】

And once again, we are asking everyone to continue practicing basic infection prevention measures to fight against the spread of Covid-19. Wear a mask, wash your hands, gargle and avoid the 3 Cs. That means you should avoid closed rooms with poor ventilation, try not to be in crowded places and avoid close contact conversations.

【The Chrysanthemum Festival, Choyo no Sekku】

This morning I'd like to introduce you to something called Choyo no Sekku or the Chrysanthemum Festival. In Japan, when people used the lunar calendar, there were five days in the year called sekku and on these days, particularly important traditional events were held. One of them is Choyo no Sekku which falls on the 9^th day of the 9^th month.   Although many probably aren't familiar with “sekku” anymore, it's on this day, also called the Chrysanthemum Festival, that people would decorate their space with chrysanthemums, drink sake sprinkled with the flower's petals and eat chestnut rice in the hopes of having a long, healthy life.

This is actually a custom that came from China. Since ancient times, odd numbers have been considered auspicious in China and 9 is the highest of the odd numbers so the double 9 pairing of September 9^th is a particularly auspicious day. As a result, Choyo became one of the 5 “sekku” days.

I guess a lot of people are feeling a bit stressed out these days due to the Coronavirus and other factors. Some say that flowers help to reduce stress so why not decorate with some Chrysanthemums this season? They're also the flower of November in Western cultures so there's no reason not to enjoy them for a couple of months!

【Disaster Prevention Day and Disaster preparedness Week】

Every year on September 1^st is Disaster Prevention day. And in Fukuoka City, from the 1^st to the 7^th of September, is Fukuoka City's Disaster Preparedness week, preparedness referring to making sure you have enough food and other items stored up and ready for when something happens. The city wants its citizens to be aware that disasters can happen and the first step to understanding that is encouraging all of us to have supplies stockpiled in our homes and companies.

So why is this so important? Well basically, if a typhoon or earthquake hits and you are lucky enough to find yourself unscathed, without food and water you can't survive. Stores won't be open so you won't be able to buy supplies. If the water system shuts down, there won't be any water to drink. And if electric and gas services are disrupted, there will be no way to cook food. So, in order to survive after you emerge from a disaster unscathed, it is important to stockpile your supplies on a daily basis.

So the question is now, what do we need. Well, you need water for drinking and food, enough for at least 3 days. Three liters of water per person per day is what is recommended. Emergency food like instant rice, canned goods, dry biscuits, chocolate bars, hardtack and the like, are good things to have on hand because then, even if you can't cook, you'll still have something to eat. If you have a radio and flashlight prepared, always check that the batteries are still good. And make sure you have any medicines you need to take as well as bandages and other medical supplies prepared. For households with infants, diapers are also an essential item to have prepped.

In addition to the water that you'll need for drinking, you'll also need water for things like flushing the toilet. So be prepared by keeping a plastic jug filled with tap water or filling the bathtub with water.

You don't need to have a ton ready all at once. Just buy a little more of what you would normally buy and as you eat it up, just buy more to replace it. In this way, you'll have a “rolling stock” and it's a good way to always have an amount of stockpiled food ready in your home at anytime. It's also convenient because you can prepare for any emergency without having to worry about expiration dates on your food stocks. 

Typhoons often occur this time of year so take a look and make sure your stocks are ready.

【500 yen Lunch Meal】

So, what are you thinking about for lunch today? What do you usually do? Are you a convenience store lunch kind of person or do you pack your own lunch? I often pack my own lunch but I love a good a deal and around the Fukuoka area there are a number of places that do the “one coin” or 500 yen deals and one of my favorite places happens to be Saizeriya. Not only are there pasta lunches, which you would expect, but there's also curry, doria and hamburg choices as well. If I'm feeling really hungry or just being greedy, I can get two lunches, stuff myself and not break the bank. I can even go back for dinner later, order off the regular menu and still find myself with cash in my pocket. Maybe I sound like a cheapskate, but who doesn't want good value for their money? I guess what I'm having for lunch today is pretty obvious, hey?

【Preparing for heavy rain and evacuations while taking into consideration COVID-19】

In Japan, we often get typhoons. And so, it's best to check in advance what we need to do to for when the heavy rains come.  If you look at Fukuoka City's homepage, you can check hazard maps and get information on disaster prevention. If you check Support for Foreign residents, you'll find disaster prevention information for foreign residents so make sure you check that important information regularly.

In order to protect your life, it's important to know to where you should evacuate and to do that you need to plan in advance. First, take a look at flood and landslide hazard maps. You need to know if the area where you live poses any kind of danger.

If your home is in a safe location or if you live in a condominium or apartment where the higher floors are a safe place even if a disaster occurs, then do not leave your home and make sure you stay tuned to the TV, radio or other media to receive updates as information comes in.If your home may be in danger, then you need to either escape to an evacuation center or to a friend's home. Make sure you check a hazard map to ensure that your escape path is a safe one.

When you do evacuate, there are a few things that you should absolutely bring with you. These are things like water, some kind of food, clothes, hygiene or health supplies, a flash light, medicine, face masks and a thermometer. At the very least, you need to have three days worth of these supplies prepared.

This year, with the spread of COVID-19 , we need to take extra care and so if you are at an evacuation center, please wear a mask, wash  your hands and practice cough etiquette.

For emergency information on disasters, please visit Fukuoka City's Facebook page for foreign residents called (Global Community Fukuoka) or the Fukuoka City International Foundation's Facebook page. In addition, through Fukuoka City's disaster prevention mail, LINE and the disaster prevention application TSUNAGARU Plus, you will receive notifications so be sure to use these as well.