Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Akutagawa Prize / Naoki Prize】

One of Japan's most prestigious literary awards, the Akutagawa Prize, has been awarded this year to 23-year- old Yui Suzuki, a graduate student at Seinan Gakuin University in Fukuoka City. While conducting research on English literature in graduate school, Suzuki also pursues creative writing.

Japan's literary world is home to numerous awards, but two of the most prominent and historically significant are the Akutagawa Prize and the Naoki Prize.
The Akutagawa Prize recognizes short to medium-length pure literary works by emerging writers published in magazines. The Naoki Prize, on the other hand, is awarded to single-volume novels, full-length works, or collections of short stories by both emerging and mid-career authors in the realm of entertainment literature.
Selection committees for both awards convene twice a year—in July for works from the first half of the year and in January for those from the latter half of the year. These awards are not open for public submission. The Akutagawa Prize focuses on works published in magazines, while the Naoki Prize targets works released as books. Both prizes go through several preliminary screenings before the final nominees are selected, and the winners are determined after deliberation during the selection meeting. In some cases, no winner is chosen.
The winning works often reflect the social context and values of their time, offering insight into modern Japanese culture and history.
This year's Akutagawa-winning story features a male professor who is a scholar of Goethe, the German literary giant. If you have the chance, be sure to give it a read!

【Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

Legal Consultation and Personal Counseling

The Fukuoka City International Center offers free legal consultation and personal counseling for the
international residents of Fukuoka City.
Legal consultations are available from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM on the first Saturday of every month, and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the third Wednesday of the month. Each session runs for 45 minutes and is completely free.
However, you do need to make a reservation to consult with the lawyer. Free English interpretation services are also available so if you will need an interpreter, please mention that when you make your reservation.
Personal counseling services are available every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with a Japanese clinical psychologist in English or Japanese. Reservations are necessary, so please make one if you are interested.
Both types of consultations ensure strict confidentiality, so you can feel at ease when you come these consultations. Reservations will be taken from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM on weekdays. For detailed inquiries, please contact (0120-66-1799). 

Use Line Call for Consultations

And if you connect with the Foundation's official LINE account, you can make an appointment for
consultations on daily life or free professional consultation using the LINE call feature. Telephone
consultations are available in a number of foreign languages, so please feel free to contact them. In addition, you can get information on the Foundation's events and announcements from Fukuoka City, so please add the Foundation's official LINE account to your friends' list from the Fukuoka City International Foundation website.
One thing to keep in mind though is that the foundation will not accept consultations via the Line chat feature.
So if you want advice via text rather than calling, please use the inquiry form on the foundation's website.

【Fukuoka's Ariake Seaweed】

Now in season, Fukuoka proudly offers one of Japan's highest quality laver seaweeds, Fukuoka's Ariake Seaweed. The Ariake Sea, located in the southern part of the prefecture, is one of Japan's three major seaweed production areas. This seaweed is known for its rich aroma, delicate texture, and umami that melts on the tongue From rice balls to toppings for various dishes, seaweed has long been an essential ingredient on Japanese dining tables. It's also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, iron, calcium, dietary fiber, and more. Despite being low in calories, seaweed is a natural food that is rich in flavor.
The flavor and texture of seaweed vary depending on its place of origin, season, and grade. What makes Fukuoka's Ariake Seaweed so delicious is the abundant nutrients and moderate salinity brought by the rivers flowing into the Ariake Sea, as well as the unique tidal flats exposed during low tide. This combination of natural blessings and expert techniques results in an exceptional product. The seaweed season in Fukuoka's Ariake Sea runs from mid-October to early April. During this time, you can enjoy the fresh aroma unique to seaweed at its peak.
However, even the finest seaweed can lose its flavor if not stored properly. The greatest enemy of seaweed is moisture. To maintain its quality, store dried seaweed in an airtight container with a desiccant, in a dark place away from direct sunlight. While it can be kept at room temperature, storing it in the refrigerator is also recommended. Just before eating, lightly toast the seaweed over an open flame or heat it in the microwave to remove moisture and restore its crisp texture.
Now is the perfect season to savor Fukuoka's Ariake Seaweed. Pair it with rice and experience the authentic taste of Fukuoka!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Lifestyle Disease Prevention Month

February is Life-style related disease prevention month.
These are diseases that develop due to, as you may have guessed, our life-style habits.
Life-style related diseases include diabetes, hypertension, CKD or chronic kidney disease and heart attacks and are caused by a lack of regular exercise and by nutritionally imbalanced diets. Smoking, excessive drinking and stress can also cause life-style related diseases.
To maintain a healthy life-style, balanced and appropriately portioned meals, three times a day at regular times, is key. Constantly eating nutritionally unbalanced foods, like instant meals or greasy foods, can cause obesity and diabetes. They also say that chewing your food properly is important in a healthy diet as it will reduce the burden on your digestive system and strengthen the muscles around the mouth. Taking your time to eat, spending at least 20 minutes enjoying your meal, is suggested.
Regular exercise is also important as the loss of muscle mass due to a lack of exercise will affect your basal metabolic rate, which is the number of calories you burn as your body performs basic life-sustaining functions. If this rate decreases, it's more likely you'll gain weight. So make time to exercise to maintain your muscle strength and mass. For those who do not have many opportunities to exercise, walk when shopping, use the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, or take other short breaks in your daily life to get about 10 minutes more physical activity than you do now. It will go a long way toward your health.
Sleep is also essential to your health. It plays an important role in our health as it allows us to get rid of mental and physical fatigue and boosts our immunity. But to maintain our immunity, it's important that we are getting enough sleep and that our sleep is good quality sleep. Avoid using your smartphone, watching TV, or consuming caffeine or alcohol before going to bed, as these will reduce the quality of your sleep. Instead, find another way to relax, perhaps by taking a bath before bed, or doing whatever is it you like to do to relax. It's important to live a stress-free life. Perhaps this is a chance to take another look at your own daily life-style.

―Guest Interviewー

【Anton Wilhelm Hersche】

Anton W. Hersche was born in year 1957 in "the city of art" Basel, Switzerland and he has been practicing his wild art skills for more than 50 years; in parallel to his professional career as a ex-banker and ex-entrepreneur all over the world in Switzerland, Germany, USA, Singapore and Japan (lived here for 25 years). In 2021, after retiring from his professional life, Anton is finally committing 100% of his time to creating contemporary art. All of his work can be seen on his website at 🔎https://www.antonhersche.com/

【Mandatory Helmet Use for Bicycle Commuting at Fukuoka Prefectural Schools】

The Fukuoka Prefectural Board of Education announced that starting this April, all students commuting by bicycle to prefectural schools in Fukuoka will be required to wear helmets. Currently, the helmet usage rate in Fukuoka Prefecture remains low, with high school students having the lowest rate of usage. Experiments measuring the impact on the head have shown that the force of an impact is approximately four times greater when a helmet is not worn compared to when one is used.

Approximately 60% of students at prefectural high schools commute by bicycle. Beginning with the new school term in April, school rules will include helmet use as a condition for allowing students to commute by bicycle. 

Promoting awareness of the importance of wearing helmets while cycling is directly tied to protecting lives. When selecting a helmet, choose one with the "SG Mark," which indicates that it meets Japan's safety standards.

For helmets to provide maximum safety, they must be worn correctly. Make sure the helmet sits evenly on the head at the correct angle, and adjust the chin strap so there is just enough space for one finger to fit under it. 

Not only high school students but everyone should wear a helmet while cycling, follow traffic rules, and prioritize safe driving to prevent accidents.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Beware of Norovirus

As you may know, winter is the season when it's very easy to get infectious gastroenteritis and food poisoning due to the Norovirus. It's a strong virus and even a tiny amount entering the body can lead to infection.

The virus can spread through contaminated hands, food, or inhalation of airborne particles from vomiting or diarrhea. You can also get it from foods that have been cooked by somebody infected by the virus. It can also be transmitted by eating shellfish, like oysters, that haven't been cooked thoroughly and are carrying the virus. 

Severe vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration. So if you think you have caught the virus, get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible. You'll recover in a few days but the virus can hang around for a week to a month, even in your stools, and so it is possible to infect others, something we need to be careful about. 

We can take measures to prevent the spread of infection, however. Be sure to wash your hands with soap before preparing meals, before eating and after using the toilet. Make sure you wash your utensils and cooking tools thoroughly after each use and disinfect them with bleach or boiling water. Alcohol disinfectants aren't that effective against the Norovirus, but heat is. Heat food to an internal temperature of 85–90°C for at least 90 seconds to kill the virus. So, make sure that when you cook, things are cooked thoroughly and that you wash any fruits and veggies that you don't cook. And, of course, if you don't feel well, try to stay away from  doing too much in the kitchen. 

If you feel unwell and need to visit a hospital, Fukuoka City offers a Medical Interpretation Call Center. It can assist with communication during hospital visits, including discussions with doctors or when you need to get a prescription. The service can also help you find an appropriate hospital if you’re not sure where to go.

The hotline number is (092-733-5429). It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, supports 20 languages, and is a valuable resource in times of need.

【Praying for Success】

As we are in the midst of exam season, many students have exams coming up this weekend. In Japan, when taking entrance exams or other tests with important outcomes, people go to do gōkaku kigan, to make a prayer for success. This involves visiting a shrine to make a personal declaration of determination and asking the gods for their blessings to pass the test and achieve their goals.

One shrine that many visit is Hakozaki Shrine (Hakozaki-gu) in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City, one of Japan’s three major Hachiman shrines. Known as the “God of Protection and Victory,” it attracts many visitors during exam season who pray for success. Another popular spot is Suikyo Tenmangu Shrine, quietly located in the heart of Tenjin. It enshrines the deity of learning, making it another destination for those seeking academic success.

When praying, it’s important to state your name, address, specific wish, and the name of your desired school or the exam you want to pass. After the prayer, it’s customary to purchase a protective charm, the omamori to keep with you or to write your wish on a wooden plaque called ema and dedicate it to the shrine. Once the exams are over, the omamori should be returned to the shrine. If you pass, it’s also customary to visit the shrine again to express gratitude to the gods.

Praying on behalf of someone, such as family, friends, or loved ones, can also be a meaningful gesture. Best wishes to all of this year's exam-takers, may all of your hard work pay off! Good luck to you !

【Fukuoka City Information】

Tōchōji Setsubun Festival / International Students’ Bean-Throwing Ceremony

 Setsubun is an annual event in Japan that involves driving away misfortune such as illness or disasters and praying for health and happiness. A long-standing custom involves throwing beans to banish demons, with the chant “Fortune in, demons out!” (Fuku wa uchi! Oni wa soto!), wishing for good fortune and protection from misfortune.

At Tōchōji Temple in Hakata Ward, the Setsubun Grand Festival is held every year on February 3. The event attracts many visitors, and the lively bean-throwing ceremony features the Seven Lucky Gods, Otafuku and red and blue demons.

On Friday, January 24, as part of the festival's promotion, international students living in Fukuoka will dress as the Seven Lucky Gods and demons to perform a bean-throwing ceremony at Fukuoka City Hall. The students’ performances as demons are sure to be a fun event you don't want to miss.

How about you, do you think you'd like to experience this Japanese custom of bean-throwing?

For more information about the Setsubun Grand Festival on February 3 or the bean-throwing event on January 24, please check the websites of Fukuoka City or Tōchōji Temple in advance.

Participating in a Setsubun event is a great way to experience Japanese culture and invite good fortune into your life.

【Hatachi no Tsudoi (Coming-of-Age Ceremony)】

In Fukuoka City, a Hatachi no Tsudoi (Coming-of-Age ceremony) will be held next Monday, January 13, 2025, a public holiday celebrating Seijin no Hi (Coming-of-Age Day). The ceremony will take place at Marine Messe Fukuoka in Hakata Ward and is dedicated to individuals who have turned 20 years old.
Seijin no Hi marks the first step of new adults as members of society, celebrating their 20th birthday. It is a significant national holiday in Japan. During the ceremony, attendees can expect a congratulatory speech from the mayor, special projects by the organizing committee, and video messages from prominent figures connected to Fukuoka.
Outside the venue, the atmosphere is lively and celebratory, with many new adults reuniting with old friends and classmates and taking commemorative photos. There is a tradition of attending in formal attire, with many opting for kimono or hakama (traditional Japanese clothing). Some wear heirloom kimono passed down through their family, while others choose brand-new suits or completely original attire. Everyone dresses up in their own way, with preparation and styling starting early in the morning.
Participants also often visit photo studios to capture their special day, enjoy celebratory meals with their families, or attend reunions with old friends. It is a day not only to celebrate but also to express gratitude to the family and others who have supported them throughout their journey.
To all those turning 20 this year, and their families, we wish you a wonderful and memorable celebration. Congratulations!

【Information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation】

Looking for Participants “Let’s Build a　Community with UN Officials!”

The Fukuoka City International Foundation will host a workshop on urban planning, featuring staff from UN-Habitat's Fukuoka headquarters as instructors.

The target audience is students from the 4th grade of elementary school to the 3rd year of junior high school. The workshop will take place on Sunday, January 19, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the meeting room in Acros Fukuoka.
UN-Habitat's Fukuoka Office, the only United Nations organization in Kyushu, works on projects related to housing. During the workshop, participants will take on the role of residents in a fictional village affected by heavy rain and collaborate to create a reconstruction plan.
The workshop will be conducted in easy Japanese, making it accessible for children of foreign nationality. If you're interested in the global activities of the United Nations, don't miss this opportunity to participate.
Participation is free, but reservations are required. For reservation details, visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation's website or Facebook page.

🔎The website address is【www.fcif.or.jp】

Consultations on Immigration, Residency and Nationality Matters.
To continue, 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 foundation at least two weeks in advance.

Your confidentiality is guaranteed, so please feel at ease to use this service.

For more information, please call the toll free number (0120-66-1799). Phone calls will be accepted between 9am and 5:30pm on weekdays.

This is our last broadcast for 2024. What kind of year was it for you?  

For me, it was a busy year, but good. We want to the UK to visit family and family and friends from the US and UK came to visit us here as well. We took my family around Fukuoka and other parts of Kyushu. My sister's friend, who came with her and my mom, really loved Fukuoka. I didn't get to show him all of the charms of the city, it was still pretty hot when they visited, but he loved the ramen here and a lot of the other food as well, of course. He also liked that although the city was compact, it had a very cosmopolitan feeling but was also convenient for everything. All of us who live here know how great it is!

 I also started an upper level patissier course, I may have mentioned doing a course a couple of years ago. A more advanced course opened up this year, so I decided to join it. It's definitely harder than the class before! We've made some pretty amazing confections that I never thought I'd be able to make. It continues through until March, so there's still a lot to learn in the new year! 

Speaking of which, ss we approach the New Year, let me introduce some of the  meaningful tradition of Osechi Ryori, the Japanese New Year feast.

【Osechi Ryori: Traditional Japanese New Year Cuisine】

What do you usually eat to celebrate the new year?
In Japan, there are several foods believed to bring good luck when eaten during the New Year. Among these, Osechi Ryori is the quintessential Japanese New Year dish.

The origin of Osechi dates back to offerings made to the gods to express gratitude for abundant harvests at seasonal changes. In modern times, it has become a meal to celebrate the New Year with family and is also often served to guests.

Osechi Ryori is packed in jubako, tiered lacquer boxes. This tradition has multiple reasons. One is the symbolism of stacking the boxes, which represents "piling up happiness." Additionally, packing the food in jubako saves space and makes it easier to serve to guests. The custom of preparing Osechi and other New Year dishes at the end of the year allows families to avoid cooking during the first three days of the New Year. During this time, people welcome the gods, pray for a bountiful harvest, and the safety of their families. To honor this, cooking or using fire is avoided. Preparing Osechi in advance also is said to reduce the number of times the cook has to be in the kitchen so that he or she can rest. Osechi ryori is designed to taste good even when cold and lasts a long time.

Each dish in Osechi Ryori carries a symbolic meaning or wish for good fortune. The ingredients and dishes vary by region, but a complete Osechi usually includes around 20–30 different items, allowing a variety of flavors to be enjoyed. Osechi is organized into five categories: 

1. "Three celebratory dishes" that symbolize prosperity, longevity, and a bountiful harvest.

2. Appetizers that pair well with sake.

3. Grilled seafood dishes.

4. Simmered dishes.

5. Vinegared dishes.

The ingredients in the dishes incorporate wishes for bountiful harvests, health, longevity, and family prosperity. 

The arrangement of dishes within the jubako is also predetermined. Traditionally, five-tiered jubako are used. The contents vary by region, but typically:

The first tier contains the "three celebratory dishes" and appetizers that pair well with sake.

The second tier holds grilled dishes.

The third and fourth tiers are filled with simmered dishes and vinegared dishes.

The fifth tier is left empty, symbolizing a space to invite good fortune.

In recent years, three-tiered boxes have become common, with the first tier for celebratory dishes, the second for grilled and vinegared dishes, and the third for simmered dishes.

The "three celebratory dishes for the New Year" typically include Kuro-mame: Sweetly simmered black soybeans, Kazunoko: Salted herring roe, Tazukuri: Dried baby sardines roasted and coated in a sweet soy sauce glaze and Tataki gobō: Smashed burdock root.

The "sake-pairing dishes" include Kurikinton: Sweet chestnut paste, Kōhaku kamaboko: Red and white fish cake, Datemaki: A sweet rolled omelet made with eggs and fish paste and  Kombumaki: Herring wrapped in kelp and tied with kanpyo, simmered in a sweet soy sauce.

Additionally, grilled seafood such as yellowtail, sea bream, and spiny lobster; vinegared dishes such as kōhaku namasu (pickled carrot and daikon radish); and simmered dishes such as nimono (featuring lotus root, taro, daikon, carrot, and konnyaku) are included.

Each dish in osechi ryori is carefully made, filled with meaning and prepared with care and time. The tradition of enjoying osechi ryori, with its various wishes for good luck,  is still deeply rooted in the heart of Japanese culture. 

While the customs of osechi vary by region, modern osechi ryori has become increasingly diverse.  Celebrate the New Year with the Osechi Ryori that suits your family, and let it bring you health and happiness for the year ahead. 

Thank you very much for listening to Life in Fukuoka this year.  I hope that the tips  I share on Life in Fukuoka will also be useful for you next year. May 2025 bring you  an abundance of joy. Have a wonderful New Year!

【Seaside Momochi ICE SKATING PARK】

Have you ever tried ice skating? It’s the perfect activity for this chilly winter season! This winter, the popular Seaside Momochi area, a well-known spot for sightseeing and relaxation, has opened the Seaside Momochi ICE SKATING PARK. This special ice skating rink is open for a limited time until February 24th at the Plaza in front of Fukuoka Tower.

And, in addition to skating, the park will host seasonal events.

Until December 25th, Momochi will hold its first-ever Christmas Market for some festive cheer.

From December 28th to January 13th, the park will transform into a New Year celebration area, featuring a temporary shrine area with kadomatsu, the traditional pine decorations, and a giant torii gate.

From January 16th to February 24th, the park will adopt a Valentine’s theme with heart-shaped monuments to set a romantic mood.

There will also be skating lessons, performances, and shows for everyone to enjoy. The rink is open daily from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, though hours may change depending on the weather. Be sure to check the official website before heading out.

The admission fee is  ¥1,700 for adults and ¥1,200 for children in junior high school and under. Skate rentals are included in the price.

This is a fun winter activity for both kids and adults that you can only enjoy during this season. Don’t miss out—make plans to visit the Seaside Momochi ICE SKATING PARK this winter!

シーサイドももち ICE SKATING PARK🔎https://fuk-sc.com/

【Fukuoka City Information】

Spend the New Year's Holiday safely

Fukuoka City wants you to enjoy your winter holidays safely and enjoyably and has a few tips to share.

From the end of the year to the start of the new year, there are a lot of opportunities to drink alcohol. So, make sure, 100%, that you don't drink and drive, don't make others drink and drive, never allow someone to drink and drive and don't ignore someone who would drink and drive. Even cycling after drinking is against the law.

And it's important to remember that even the next day you might have some alcohol in your system or will be hungover. In that case, even if you think you only have a little bit of alcohol left in your system, it doesn't mean you should drive, because you shouldn't.

Also, every year, the end of the year sees more and more traffic accidents. If you are out late at night, make sure you are wearing bright or reflective clothes that are easy for drivers to notice. And if you are driving or even cycling, make sure you turn your headlights on earlier in the evening.

Next, we have a warning about investment scams and romance scams via social media.
There has been a sharp increase in fraud cases where people are tricked into investing money by individuals they meet through social media or dating apps, or by scammers pretending to be celebrities.

To protect yourself:

1. Be cautious of investment solicitations on social media or the internet.
2. If someone you’ve never met in person discusses money, assume it might be a scam.
3. Any investment pitch that includes phrases like "guaranteed profits" or "guaranteed　principal" is a scam.

Keep these three points in mind to avoid falling victim.

Finally, avoid smoking while walking outdoors or riding a bicycle and try to refrain from smoking outdoors when people are around. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Let’s protect ourselves and our loved ones and enjoy a safe and enjoyable winter holiday.

【Reusable Trash Bags: “Fuku Reji”】

As the year-end and New Year season approaches, we tend to go shopping quite a bit more and also buy quite a bit more. While out shopping, have you seen or heard of the convenient "Fuku Reji" bag that you can use to carry your shopping and  also use for disposing of trash? These bags are now available near checkout counters at convenience stores, supermarkets, and drugstores across Fukuoka City.

While the widespread use of reusable bags has reduced the reliance on plastic shopping bags following the introduction of charges for plastic shopping bags, Fukuoka City still disposes of approximately 2,600 tons of plastic shopping bags annually. To address this, Fuku Reji was introduced as a new eco-friendly option for reducing plastic waste during shopping.

If you forget your reusable bag or find yourself needing extra space for an unexpected shopping trip, consider choosing Fuku Reji. These bags not only help reduce plastic waste but also save on costs.

They are available in two sizes, 15 liters for 15 yen or 10 liters for ten yen. After using them as shopping bags, you can repurpose them as designated household trash bags for combustible waste. You can dispose of these bags following the usual rules for trash collection in your area, putting them out in the proper location on your trash collection day for Fukuoka City.

The design of the bags, created by artist Kazuhiko Ifuku, symbolizes a "circle of compassion" born from the idea of individuals caring for others and nature, fostering connections and cycles of thoughtfulness.

So, when you need a shopping bag at convenience stores, supermarkets, or drugstores, choose Fuku Reji to help reduce plastic waste!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Ward Office Consultation and Garbage Collection over the New Year Holidays

Over the New Year's holidays, there are a few changes to ward office consultation hours and the days on which you can put out the garbage.

Ward offices will be closed from Saturday, December 28th, to Sunday, January 5th.   In the days before and after the new year holidays, the ward office consultation counters will be busy so make sure you give yourself plenty of time when you go there.

Also, from Tuesday, December 31st, to Friday, January 3rd, there will be no garbage collection, so please do not put your garbage out for pick up. The last day to put out burnable garbage for scheduled pick up is Monday, December 30th.  Scheduled garbarge pick-up will resume on Sunday, January 5th. For areas with regular collection on Tuesdays and Fridays, garbage can be disposed of on Saturday, January 4th, as a substitute day.  For nonburnable garbage and glass and pet bottles, in areas where collection is scheduled for Wednesday, January 1st, dispose of garbage on Sunday, December 29th. For areas with collection scheduled on Thursday, January 2nd, dispose of garbage on Monday, December 30th.

Also, applications and pickup for oversized garbage will be stopped between Sunday, December 29th, to Friday, January 3rd, so please be aware of that.

If you have questions about garbage disposal, you can call the Interpretation Center to connect with your local ward office.
The phone number is (092-753-6113).
Let them know your ward and that your inquiry is about garbage disposal.
The service is available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and from December 29th to January 3rd.

【Nagahama Fish Market “UOZA”】

A new facility called "UOZA" has opened in the Nagahama area, conveniently located near Tenjin in Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City. Run by seafood professionals, this facility features a food hall where you can enjoy the market’s fresh seafood, a retail corner offering processed seafood products, and even a SASHIMI DOJO, where you can learn how to prepare sashimi.

The highlight of UOZA is its food hall, designed to resemble a fish auction site with high ceilings and bright lighting. Fresh seasonal fish are displayed in showcases, and the prices are budget-friendly, starting at just one 500 yen coin . You can mix and match sashimi, grilled fish, fried dishes, and more to create your own custom meal or seafood platter.

The retail corner offers a variety of prepared seafood, seasonings that pair perfectly with fish dishes, and even professional-grade kitchen tools like knives used by chefs.

UOZA is open from  11:00 AM to 9:30 PM every day except on on Wednesdays and during the New Year holidays.
For the latest updates, check out UOZA’s official Instagram.

If you love seafood, don’t miss this new spot in Nagahama where you can enjoy fresh seafood and purchase high-quality products!

 🔎 https://www.instagram.com/uoza_nagahama/

【Information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation】

End of year information

The Fukuoka City International Foundation will be closed for a period of 9 days, from Saturday, December 28th  to Sunday, January 5th . It will reopen on Monday, January 6th 2025 at 9 am.

The first session in 2025 for the free legal advice service for foreigners will be on Wednesday, January 15th.  You do need an appointment before you go, so please call to make an appointment as soon as you can. 

For consultations with a gyousei-shoshi, or administrative lawyer, reservations are not necessary. The first day available in 2025 for that is Sunday, January 12th. 

Please check the Fukuoka City International Foundation's website for information.

Or you can call (0120-66-1799). The call is free to make. 

The Fukuoka City International Foundation will continue being an

antenna to gather and provide a wealth of information and support to you, the foreign

residents of Fukuoka, in order to make life here in the city even more comfortable, so feel free to use their services!

Use Line Call for Consultations

And if you connect with the Foundation's official LINE account, you can make an appointment for consultations on daily life or free professional consultation using the LINE call feature. Telephone consultations are available in a number of foreign languages, so please feel free to contact them. In addition, you can get information on the Foundation's events and announcements from Fukuoka City, so please add the Foundation's official LINE account to your friends' list from the Fukuoka City International Foundation website. 

One thing to keep in mind though is that the foundation will not accept consultations via the Line chat feature.  So if you want advice via text rather than calling, please use the inquiry form on the foundation's website.