Life in Fukuoka "English"

【DJ Recommendations Summer Getaways】
It's summer vacation season, especially for students as classes are out until the fall term. So, this week, I'll introduce a few things to do over the summer holidays. With your friends or family, there are loads of places to go and events to enjoy this summer.

Uminonakamichi's Sunshine Pool, open after 3 seasons!
First, Uminonakamichi's Sunshine Pool located in the Higashi Ward of Fukuoka City inside of the Uminonakamichi Seaside Park. It's finally open after being closed for the last two summer vacations. Last year and the year before, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to prevent the spread of infection, the decision was made not to open the pool. However, this year, it is open again. But things have changed a little. You have to make a reservation to get in before going and you need to tell them if you are bringing any flotation devices or if you are planning on renting some. At the gate, you have to have your temperature checked. These are all measures to help prevent the further spread of infection.
And during pool operating hours, various events will be held in line with infection prevention measures, including things like underwater exercise. At Sunshine Pool, in addition to the pool fun, when you're hungry, you can find delicious menu items such as Hakata Tonkotsu ramen, Curry Rice, Sasebo Burgers and there will also be booths set up where you can enjoy your meals in the pool it seems!
I last went to Sunshine pool in 2019 and had an absolute blast. I'm hoping to go again this year, but I'll have to be sure to make that reservation so that I don't miss my chance!

The Picture Book Museum (July 19th-August 28)
Next, an event perfect for families with little kids. The NTT Nishi Nihon Special Oide-yo! Picture Book Museum. This event will be held at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum and will go from Tuesday, July 19th to Sunday, August 28th.
This is the 16th time it has been held and the theme this time is Dai Suki or I love it! Growing up surrounded by love as children navigate their daily lives and growth helps to foster the power and potential within. At this exhibition, you'll find traditional books that can be held in the hands and read as well as an exhibition of digital contents that utilize cutting edge technology. That world view that is very much a part of picture books will let you enjoy communication through them in a place that has been set up to with your peace in mind.
I know that when I was a child, I loved reading books and having books read to me. An event like this when I was a kid would have been so much fun.

Maizuru Park BBQ Garden

Finally, on the list of recommendations is the Maizuru Park BBQ Garden, easily accessible from the Ohori Garden Subway stop. From quite reasonable menu plans to indulgent A5 grade meat and seafood luxury plans, there is something for everyone to enjoy on the grill.

There are also all-you-can-drink plans, so it's like going to a outdoor beer garden as well.
It's the perfect place to escape the city despite being in the center of it all. You'll have nature around you and can really enjoy the outdoors. Everything is set up and cleaned up for you by the staff so it's a really easy way to enjoy a delicious BBQ.
I have never been to the BBQ garden but have passed by plenty of times. I often BBQ at home but the clean-up is what kills me, so this Maizuru Park plan is pretty tempting!
Think you might try it out?

As for me, I've actually got a few things planned. I'm mostly trying to escape the heat and have a trip to Kamikochi in Nagano, up in the mountains planned, as well as a trip to Hokkaido to visit the islands of Rebun and Rishiri. I'll also do a bit of camping around Kyushu, if I can, it all really depends on the weather. Camping in the rain isn't fun, I do prefer dry weather.

What do you think you'll get up to this summer? If you aren't sure of what to look up, or you're thinking “I just want to make some awesome summer memories!”but don't know where to go, you can always take advantage of Fukuoka City's official City Guide, Yokanavi. Take a look at it online, there's a lot of information for you there. Yokanavi is Fukuoka City's tourist information website for tourist spots, events and food. Just type Yokanavi into your search bar and it should pop up.

Whatever you get up to, have a wonderful summer full of great memories!

YOKA NAVI
https://area-gate.biz/fukuokayokanavi/activity

【Sunflowers】

In the summer, the flower that seems to represent the season is probably the sunflower, standing tall and proud among the other flowers, looking like a big ole sun on its own. And although sunflowers seem to be mostly know for having really long stems and just being tall in general, there are actually quite a few varieties that have been bred for planters and stand around 10 centimeters tall. Sunflowers are a hardy plant and will grow in different kinds of soil. Whether you've got fertilizer or not, they'll grow.

If you think you want to grow some, then just remember that potted sunflowers need to have decent drainage and flowers growing in a flower bed should be in soil with decent drainage but also moderate water retention. If you just want to go see some and a whole lot of them at that, then you might check out Nokonoshima's Island Park in Nishi-ku or the Yanagawa Himawari En, or Sunflower Park in Yanagawa City. Sunflowers as far as the eye can see would be a pretty spectacular sight. On a date and a drive or even with friends, seeing the flowers of the season is a wonderful way to spend a day.

【Information from Fukuoka City】

Now, I've got information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation.

Legal Consultation

The Fukuoka City International Foundation, at the Fukuoka City International Center, offers free legal consultation twice a month 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.

If you choose to use this service, please know that confidentiality is guaranteed.

For more information, please call 0120-66-1799. Again, that number is 0120-66-1799. Calls will be taken between 9am and 6pm on weekdays.

Multi-lingual FCIF Newsletter Summer Edition

I also have information about FCIF the multi-lingual newsletter for international residents. It comes out every three months and has information in English, Chinese and Korean about things like staying and living in Fukuoka, tips on living here, Japanese culture and other events.

The summer edition was published this July with the theme of “Summer Fun in Fukuoka”. This summer edition has information for you about summer events and places to go in Fukuoka and things to watch out for when you are out or at the beach.

And from this year, a column with interviews from the international residents of Fukuoka has been added. You'll have a chance to learn why others have come to live in this great city and also how their lives are going here, so pick up a copy or read it on the website. For paper copies, you can find them at the ward offices, the information plaza at City Hall or at the Fukuoka City International Center. Or just go to www.fcif.or.jp which is the Fukuoka City International Foundation's website and read it online.

【駅弁記念日（Anniversary of the Train Station Lunch Box)】

This morning, we are talking about Eki-ben Kinenbi or the anniversary of train station lunch boxes. In Japan, there are anniversary days for so many things and July the 16^th happens to be the one for Ekiben. Ekiben comes from lunch boxes or bento being sold at train stations, or eki and they're one of those “must-haves” for train journeys.

It was way back when on July 16^th 1885 at Utsunomiya station on the current Tohoku Honsen that Japan's very first Ekiben was sold. A local inn wrapped two riceballs and some takuan pickles in bamboo skin and sold them for what would be about 1000 yen now. From there, the ekiben concept spread across the country.

Here in Fukuoka, Kashiwa-meshi, a kind of rice with chicken and other toppings, is famous at Orio Station up towards Kitakyushu. And of course, in Hakata Station there are a huge number of bento to choose from, if you want something to snack upon as you embark upon your train journey. Why not pick one up with some green tea, something to enjoy as you view the scenery from your seat on the train?

If you do get one, don't forget to take your garbage with you. Don't leave it on the train! Fortunately, on the Shinkansen, there are a number of bins between the carriages, so it's easy to keep things clean!

【Information from Fukuoka City】

Anniversary of the Sister Cities
Speaking of anniversaries, Fukuoka has a couple of pretty big anniversaries coming up. I don't know if you know this, but Fukuoka is sister cities with 8 other cities around the world and with each of them share special connections and exchanges. This year, Fukuoka is celebrating 60 years as a sister city with Oakland in the US and 40 years with Bordeaux in France.
To commemorate these big anniversaries, each city is putting on events and sending delegations to visit.
For more information on these events and to learn more about the kind of exchanges Fukuoka does with each of these cities, just look up 【 fukuoka8 】to go to the home page of the Fukuoka City Sister City website.

Asian-Pacific City Summit
I also have information about the Asian-Pacific City Summit which will take place here in July. Representatives of cities from the Asia-Pacific region will connect online to discuss familiar urban problems and work on coming up with solutions.
This year's theme is New Values – New Cities. It will be an opportunity to look at the shared urban problems that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss new urban development with new values.
If you register in advance, anyone is allowed to view the discussion as it takes place. For more information on that, please look up “APCS13th” in your search bar. You should be directed to the 13th Asian-Pacific City Summit's website.

【Infomation From Fukuoka City】

Covid-19 Vaccinations
Now, I have some information for you from Fukuoka City about Covid-19 vaccinations.
Fukuoka City has been working toward making sure everyone who hopes to be vaccinated can do so with peace of mind.
In Fukuoka City, inoculation tickets for the third and fourth doses of the vaccine are being sent out. Residents who have received the previous two or three inoculations will receive the vaccination coupon for the next dose in the mail, roughly 5 months after their last dose.
Vaccination coupons for the fourth dose will be sent to people over the age of 60 who have had three previous doses, and to people between the ages of 18 to 59 who have underlying illnesses.
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.
If you haven't received that coupon, please phone the call center.
You can also phone that call center to register if you have an underlying illness.
Vaccinations for children between the ages of 5 and 11 have also begun.
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.