Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Momiji-gari, Autumn Leaves Viewing】

The temperature is dropping, and the weather is feeling a bit
more autumn-like. The trees are turning vivid shades of red, orange, green, and yellow, and in Japan, just
as people enjoy cherry blossom viewing in the spring, there's a cultural tradition of appreciating the
colorful foliage in the autumn.
It's called "紅葉狩り" (Momijigari), and it involves activities such as walking, hiking, taking a drive, or
traveling to hot springs in order to see the autumn foliage. People also take photos of the colorful leaves,
paint them, or enjoy meals or a soak in the hot spring while surrounded by the vibrant scenery. There are
so many ways to appreciate this natural beauty, you just need to find the one that suits you.
In the next topic, the information from Fukuoka City, I'll introduce some recommended spots within
Fukuoka city for enjoying Momijigari!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Japanese Gardens and Autumn Foliage
First, one great spot to see Autumn colors is at a Japanese garden and fortunately, Fukuoka City boasts
several Japanese gardens. Here in the city, we have:
1. Yusentei Park
2. Shofuen Garden
3. Rakusuien Garden
4. Ohori Park Japanese Garden
These Japanese gardens are conveniently located within the city, which means they're easy to get to for a
visit. And they're a great place for even a short visit because Japanese gardens provide the opportunity to
appreciate seasonal beauty within a limited space.
They often offer matcha tea for a small fee, allowing you to relax while enjoying the garden's view. You
can take leisurely strolls around the ponds and savor the tranquil, crisp air.
This season is a recommended time to visit these gardens, as you can also enjoy the beautiful autumn
foliage. But, if a Japanese garden isn't your cup of tea, Fukuoka City has many other popular spots for
viewing autumn leaves, such as the Fukuoka City Museum area, Aburayama Citizen's Forest, and
Momijihachimangu Shrine. From November to December, these places reach their peak for autumn
foliage. So, get out and enjoy these places this autumn.

Bicycle Parking Manners
One more topic to share and for those of you who commute by bicycle, this is important information for
you. There are a lot of us who get around the city by bicycle and it's important to make sure that we are
parking in designated bicycle parking areas.

Bicycles parked in areas other than bicycle parking lots, like on the street or in public parks are
considered an obstruction to pedestrians or even a nuisance, and are therefore subject to removal under
the assumption that they are abandoned bicycles.
Fukuoka City charges a fee of 2,500 yen to return a bicycle that has been removed, and if the bicycles are
not picked up within a certain period of time, they will be discarded.
There are bicycle parking lots near shopping centers and stations that offer free parking for set periods of
time, so even though it might seem like a hassle, make use of them because it's a lot better than paying
money to get your bicycle back from bike jail!

【Student Recruitment for the Public Nighttime Junior High School-Informational Session on November 5】

Have you heard of "Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School," the only public night time junior high school in Kyushu, here in Fukuoka City? It's located on the 4th floor of the "Fukuoka City Education Center" in Momochi in Sawara Ward of Fukuoka City. Since it's a public junior high school operated by Fukuoka City, there are no tuition fees, and textbooks are provided for free. 

The school opened in April of last year, and it currently has students ranging in age from their teens to their eighties, with diverse nationalities. Regardless of nationality, anyone can enroll, so there are students whose mother tongue is not Japanese. They study all nine subjects just like daytime junior high schools while also learning Japanese. 

Classes are held from 5:50 PM to 9:20 PM, Monday through Friday, with each class lasting 40 minutes. There are four classes per day. Upon completing the required curriculum, students can obtain a junior high school graduation certificate. 

The admission criteria include being a registered resident of Fukuoka City and being born on or before April 1, 2009. This school is open to individuals who, for various reasons, did not graduate from junior high school or were unable to receive sufficient junior high school education. Foreign nationals are also welcome. While you can't study only Japanese, if you have concerns about the language, specialized Japanese instructors provide instruction during Japanese language classes, among others. 

 The "Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School" will hold a school information session on Sunday, November 5th, starting at 2 PM. If you're interested, please consider attending the information session. Pre-registration is required, and you can apply by phone or online. The phone number is 092-400-0751. They accept calls from 2 PM to 9:30 PM on weekdays. For online registration, you can search for "Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School Student Recruitment." 

In addition, flyers and recruitment information are available on the school's website and at various ward offices. They also offer consultation and trial admissions, so feel free to inquire if you have any questions! 

If you type fukuoka kibou admissions into a search engine, the website should come up, it'll be in Japanese, but there is translation available on that website for multiple languages, so it should be easy to check out.

https://sites.google.com/fuku-c.ed.jp/fukuokakibou/

【Festa Do Brasil Fukuoka 2023】

Today, I've got some information for you on the "Festa do Brasil Fukuoka 2023," the largest
Brazilian festival in Kyushu. This festival will be held next Sunday, the 29th at at Bayside Place
Hakata! This event started with the residents of the city who love Brazil. They wanted to create
an opportunity to gather and share the charms of Brazil with the people of Fukuoka, as well as
introduce the businesses and artists thriving in Fukuoka.
This outdoor festival offers a chance to experience Brazil through stage shows, interactive
parades, delicious food, music, dance, and more. It will take place on Sunday, October 29th,
starting at 11 AM and go until 6 PM. The admission fee is only 1500 yen and it'll be a wonderful
chance to enjoy the passionate and joyful Brazilian culture through singing, dancing, and
savoring delicious food at this event in Fukuoka.
There is a website for the event, just look up festa do brasil in your favorite search engine. The　website, facebook page and instagram page should all come up.

https://festadobrasil.wixsite.com/festadobrasilfukuoka

【Fukuoka City Information】

The Creators 2023
This year, the "The Creators 2023" event will be on again. This event is where you can
experience creative entertainment, over two days on Saturday, October 21st and Sunday,
October 22nd. The event will take place at various locations, including the Fureai Plaza on the
west side of Fukuoka City Hall, Fukuoka City Science Museum, and Fukuoka City Art Museum.
Some of the content will also be available for online streaming to ensure that those who cannot
attend in person can still enjoy the event.
At the main venue, the Fureai Hiroba on the west side of Fukuoka City Hall, there will be a
music stage with impressive lighting and screens, screenings of audiovisual works, a fashion
show featuring local models, and interactive booths hosted by creative companies.
In addition, the Fukuoka City Science Museum will feature a digital art exhibition where you can
play with sound and visuals, as well as programming and workshop activities for children. The
Fukuoka City Art Museum will host a variety of film screenings and art-related workshops.
This two-day event offers a wide range of content, allowing you to experience the cutting-edge
entertainment and culture in the creative city of Fukuoka. The creators are looking forward to
welcoming you to these two days of excitement and exploration, so definitely check it out. 

https://the-creator.jp/

【Fukuoka Oktoberfest 2023】

Well, it's that time of year again when the beer festival 'Fukuoka Oktoberfest,' featuring direct imports of beer from Germany, will be held here in Fukuoka. It will be over 10 days from Friday, October 20th to Sunday, October 29th.

You can enjoy a variety of German draft beers, beer cocktails, sausages, and other traditional German home-cooked dishes. And while you enjoy your food and drink, you can also experience the ambiance of Bavarian traditional music.

The event will take place at Reisen Park, just a 3-minute walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station. Admission is free, and the beer is available on a deposit system.

Under the refreshing autumn sky, spend 10 days singing and dancing with a beer in hand. Soft drinks, non-alcoholic beer, and wine will also be available for purchase, so everyone can enjoy this festival.

We encourage you to come and experience the atmosphere for yourself by visiting.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Have you heard of the International Japanese Speech Contest?

 Now, I have information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation.

Have you heard of the International Japanese Speech Contest that they hold every year?

Well, this year, the 21st  International Speech Contest will take place on the national holiday on Friday, November 3rd from 1pm. Speeches are given by students from Japanese classes and from Japanese language schools in the Fukuoka Metropolitan area. The topic of the speech is up to the participant and ranges from their experiences living in Fukuoka City to their dreams for the future, of course, delivered in Japanese. The contest will be held in the Science Hall  at the Fukuoka City Science Museum in Ropponmatsu.

If you are planning to attend the contest, you do not need to make a reservation.

If you have a chance, come and support these students and listen to the fruits of their language study labor!

For more information you can call the Fukuoka City International Foundation and speak to the Japanese Speech Contest Executive Committee at 092-262-1744. 

"Consultations for 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 center at least one week in advance.

Your confidentiality is guaranteed, so please feel at ease to use these services.

For more information, please call  0120-66-1799. Phone calls will be accepted between 9am and 6pm on weekdays.

【Shinmai-New Rice】

Now that we're in October, the heat is finally starting to settle down, isn't it. It's a nice season and not just because of the weather. During this season in Japan, we have Minori no Aki, the Autumn harvest, expressing the abundance of grains, rice and fruits that get harvested this season. We've also got Shokuyoku no Aki, or the Autumn appetite. Have you heard of either of these expressions before?

Anyway, today, in line with the harvest, I'd like to introduce you to 'shinmai' (新米) the rice that is currently in season. Shinmai refers to rice that is harvested in the autumn and milled and packaged by December 31st of the same year. Shinmai has a plump texture and a strong sweetness and umami flavor.

Fukuoka boasts many delicious locally produced rice varieties. In Fukuoka City, rice cultivation is thriving in the nature-rich areas of Nishi Ward, Sawara Ward, and Higashi Ward and these areas are committed to safe, environmentally friendly cultivation practices.

One of the main varieties is 'Hinohikari,' representing Kyushu. It pairs excellently with any dish and is known for its firm, sticky texture. There are also varieties like 'Yumetsukushi,' which has a slightly sweet and tender texture, 'Minoritsukushi,' with a chewy and and easy texture, and Fukuoka's original variety 'Genkitsukushi,' which is delicious even when cold.

One rice dish to try this season is  'takikomi gohan,' a dish made with autumn flavors like sweet potatoes, chestnuts, and mushrooms mixed with rice. Savor the taste of autumn by enjoying Fukuoka's delicious rice.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Information about Autumn Covid 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.

This year as well, the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be available free of charge. Inoculation with a vaccine that is effective against the Omicron variant XBB.1.5, the current prevalent strain, is being carried out for all those who wish to receive it, aged six months and older.

When the inoculation coupon arrives, please visit the reservation site or call the vaccine call center to make a reservation. Unused vaccination tickets received earlier can also be used. If you have lost your vaccination ticket or have not received it, please contact the call center.

People who have recently relocated to Fukuoka City from overseas and who hope to get vaccinated need to fill out an application to receive the inoculation tickets.

For inquiries about vaccine consultation, reservations, and vaccination ticket issuance in Fukuoka City, you can contact the call center at 092-260-8405. Calls will be taken every day from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and support is provided in  in seven foreign languages, including English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Nepali.

The Asia Pacific City Summit PR Event (Asia Pacific with SDGs)

Finally, I'd like to share some information on an event being held this coming weekend. On Saturday, October 7th, the 'Kankyo Festival Fukuoka 2023', roughly translated to the Fukuoka Environmental Festival will be held. This marks the 20th edition of the festival, and it will take place at three locations: the first floor of Solaria Plaza, Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Lion Hiroba, and Maizuru Park.

At the Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Lion Hiroba, the theme will be 'Let's Enjoy Learning about SDGs and the Asia-Pacific Region.' The event will feature an exhibition of drawings by children from the Asia-Pacific region, quizzes with English elements, touch games utilizing digital technology, and other activities to make learning about SDGs fun.

No advance registration is required to participate in this event.

For more details, please visit the website by searching for 'Kankyo Festival Fukuoka' or 'Asia-Pacific City Summit'.