Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Useful Info for Your New Life】

Well, whether it's for school or for work, in our lives there are a number of times when we've got to change things up and in Japan, that time is often the first of April when the new work and school year starts. School entrance ceremonies are held, students move to the next grade, people enter new companies or move to new positions or jobs. And during this time, a lot of people also move house.

So it's in February and March that a lot of that preparation happens as people get ready for a new chapter in their lives.

Moving in and out of Fukuoka City

Is there anyone listening today who is planning to move into Fukuoka City, or even out of Fukuoka City?

If you are moving, you need to submit notification of your move. Before moving, head to your local ward office to get the necessary paperwork for that.

You can also get more information about what you need when you are moving from the Official Fukuoka City Line account or from the Fukuoka City International Foundation's website. Take a look if you are planning a move.

I've never moved out of Fukuoka City, so fortunately there wasn't too much paperwork to do. I did have to go to my ward office to let them know that I had moved from one ward to another though, there wasn't too much paperwork involved in that. The other thing that I had to do, that was pretty important, was call the gas, electric and internet companies to let them know that I was moving and would need to stop service at one address and start service at my new address. It wasn't terribly difficult to do, but I do recall having to do it in Japanese and asking the customer service reps to speak slowly and with regular language so that I understood everything. I've never used a moving company, I am blessed to have good friends that have helped me move house, but I heard from a friend who did use a company that you can negotiate prices sometimes with the companies to get a better price. It's better to book earlier rather than later if you know when you need to move as April is a crazy time and you might not be able to get any company to help you.

If you are looking for boxes to pack things up, the supermarkets in the area usually have an area where you can take discarded cardboard boxes for free.

If you are just moving into Fukuoka for the first time, take a look on Fukuoka Now to see if anyone is leaving, You may be able to pick up some good deals on furniture and appliances that people are leaving behind. The secondhand shops and or recycle shops here are also good places to get decent furniture on a budget. Eco-Mall and Book-Off and Second Street are fairly well-known places, but Flea Market ACB and Treasure Factory are also great places to get furniture and appliances. There are also a number of smaller secondhand shops in the area full of good stuff, you've just got to search them up on a map.  I bought a Dyson vacuum just last month at one near Noke, got a folding camping wagon from the Book-Off in Maebaru, a nice side table with drawers two years ago from a Recycle Mart in Arita in Sawara-ku and a TV stand that would probably be 20,000 yen or so new for only 3000 yen from an ACB around Kotabe. If you don't have a car, many of them can arrange delivery for you.

Also, definitely check out past blogs and podcasts of Life in Fukuoka as we've shared lots of information before. And don't worry, we'll continue giving you information here to help make living in Fukuoka easier.

If you go to the Fukuoka City Website, you can also find a Life in Fukuoka digital pamphlet and video for more information on life here. It covers how to live safely and comfortably in Fukuoka City, where to go if you need advice when you have trouble, area information and rules and manners for living here. The website link is in the blog for today's program on Life in Fukuoka's page on the LOVE FM website https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/soki/kokusai/shisei/seikatugaidansu/guidance.html

but if you want to take a look now, just search for Life in Fukuoka Video and Pamphlet and it will come up.

【Shiro-uo Fish】

In Fukuoka, one of the things that says that spring is definitely on its way is fishing for Shiro-uo fish, or Ice Goby in English. This little fish has a transparent body that only gets to about 4 or 5 centimeters long and as its name suggests, is part of the Goby family.  They usually live in shallow waters along the coast and at the beginning of spring, moves up the river for spawning, it lays eggs under the sand.

Now, in Fukuoka Prefecture, the Muromi-gawa River is the only place where ice goby fishing still happens. This seasonal tradition will go until about mid-April. There are restaurants in the area where you can eat ice goby in a variety of dishes such as in clear soups, as tempura or in scrambled eggs, however, among those ways to enjoy the fish is a rather unusual one called Odori Gui or Dance-eating, which is the feeling of eating live sea creatures. You can try this method of consumption by scooping the live fish up with a small net and eating them together with a vinegared soy sauce. In your mouth, you'll feel them squirming and jumping about, a rather novel sensation some might say. It may be a bit grotesque for some, but if you have the courage, go ahead and give it a try. I, personally, have never tried it and probably never will, but to each their own as they say.

【Filing City and Prefectural Taxes】

Well, moving on from that, now I've got some information from Fukuoka City about filing taxes. I'm pretty sure that most of you have received your tax forms for Reiwa 4, they were sent by post from Fukuoka City.

The deadline for filing is Tuesday, March 15^th. The tax department of the ward office will accept your tax return from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, however the counters there may be crowded so please send your tax returns by mail or by internet, or take them to one of the temporary counters that have been set up.

Those who are required to file Fukuoka City taxes include anyone who has lived in Fukuoka City since the first of January 2022 and had income in 2021. Those who submitted a final tax declaration to the tax authorities or those who only received a salaried income whose company filed year end adjustments  do not need to file a tax return.

When filing, you need your My Number card or a document that shows your number and a driver's license, passport or resident card to show proof of identity.

Documents, such as withholding slips that show your income from 2021 and any documents for deductions made during 2021 are also necessary.

For information on temporary tax counters, what documents are needed and anything else about filing your taxes, please visit your local ward offices website. If there is anything that you don't understand, please use the telephone translation hotline to call the ward offices. The hotline supports 18 languages including English , Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Nepali. The number is 092-753-6113. Again, the number for that hotline is 092-753-6113.

That phone number is for a interpretation center, so after speaking to a representative you will be connected to your local ward office. Make sure you tell them which ward you live in and that you want help with filing taxes. If you go to your ward office in person, you can also use your phone and this service to help you with interpretation, so don't hesitate to use it!

【Cat Day!】
Finally, a day for my feline friends. Did you know that in Japan, February 22nd is Neko no Hi, or Cat day? It was established in 1987 as a day to appreciate the happiness that comes from living together with cats and the joy they bring to our lives. And every year on Cat Day, there are actually a number of different cat-themed events and campaigns that take place, as well as activities to raise awareness about cats. So, are you wondering why February 22nd was chosen as Cat Day? Well, it comes from the sound that cats are said to make in Japanese which is nyan, nyan, nyan which sounds like ni ni ni or two two two in Japanese. Actually, there are other Cat Days around the world, in many countries in Europe, World Cat Day is on February 17th, in Russia it's March 1st and in the US it's on October 29th. I've got two cats at home, so I guess I'll have to celebrate Cat Day with them on the 22nd. They're pretty full of themselves though, I think they expect to be celebrated everyday!

【Hot Pot Cooking】
Thank you for joining me today! Well, we are already in February which is the coldest month of the year here. And in the cold of winter, a nabe or hot pot is just exceptional. And actually, hot pots are really easy and cheap to put together.
You can pick up a nabe pot for under 500 yen at a 100 yen shop. After that, its up to you what to put in. Meat, fish, vegetables...cut up whatever you'd like, throw it in a soup or broth and boil it up. Easy right?

In Fukuoka City, Motsunabe is a famous hot pot dish. It's made from beef or pork tripe, and rather than going out to a restaurant to eat it, if you get together with family and friends and pool your money together, you can eat this dish without breaking the bank at all! Finally, add some rice or ramen to finish off the soup at the end. It's a delicious and filling way to enjoy every last drop. A hot pot on a cold winter evening is just the thing for a great time at home. In the winter, we do nabe at my house at least once a week. We usually save the leftovers to make zosui, which is like rice porridge, the next morning. I'm a fan of the fire nabe soup which has lots of spices in it but I also like the soup curry base as well!

【Covid Vaccination Information】

Fukuoka City has been working toward making sure everyone who hopes to be vaccinated can do so with peace of mind.

In Fukuoka City, inoculations for the third dose of the vaccine have begun. Residents of Fukuoka City, who are over the age of 18 and have received the previous two inoculations will receive the vaccination coupon for the third dose in the mail. You will receive your coupon roughly 7 months after you were given your second dose of the vaccine.

When the inoculation coupon arrives, please visit the reservation site or call the vaccine call center to make a reservation. Please wait until that coupon does arrive. Vaccinations will be administered either at a clinic in your area or at mass vaccination center.

Please check the Fukuoka City Homepage for the latest vaccination information. This information will be on the homepage in English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepali and simplified Japanese. 　　　

For those who have not yet taken your first or second inoculation but hope to do so, please visit the Fukuoka City homepage or contact the call center for information on where you can get your vaccination done. 

For questions regarding vaccinations or to make a reservation, you can call 092-260-8405. Again, that number is 092-260-8405. Calls will be taken between 8:30 am and 5:30pm every day. 7 languages are available at that number, including English, Chinese, Nepali, Vietnamese and Korean.

It will not cost anything to you to get vaccinated. You will not receive a bill for the vaccination. In addition, you will not get phone calls or emails asking for personal information. Please be careful, there have been suspicious phone calls and emails recently.