Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Hydrangea Season】

From June to July, during Japan's rainy season, you can enjoy the sight of one of Japan's native plants, Ajisai, or Hydrangea in English.

These blooms, which look like flowers are not considered true flowers. Sepals, or modified leaves, make up most of the bloom and can be seen in colors from white to shades of blue. 

In Fukuoka city, you can easily enjoy hydrangeas in various places such as the Fukuoka City Botanical Garden and Maizuru Park located in the ruins of Fukuoka Castle. You can also see approximately 10,000 hydrangea plants of about 70 varieties blooming at Uminonakamichi Seaside Park and at Nokonoshima Island Park along the Hydrangea Path that they have there.

Another must-see location is Hakozaki Shrine, known as one of the three great Hachimangu shrines in Japan, which features 100 species and 3,500 hydrangea plants in its Hydrangea Garden.

Although the rainy season can be a bit gloomy, going to see these vibrant hydrangea blooms is sure to bring some cheer to your day!

【Fukuoka City Information】

The World Aquatics Championships

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City.

The upcoming Fukuoka 2023 FINA World Championships is just a month away. On July 14th, Fukuoka will host the World Aquatics Championships for the first time in 22 years.

This event, which includes swimming, artistic swimming, diving, high diving, water polo, and open water swimming, features 6 disciplines and 75 events, comparable to the Olympics. Approximately 2,400 athletes from over 200 countries are expected to participate. You will be able to experience the excitement and inspiration of top athletes from around the world competing in Fukuoka.

The Japanese national team will include notable athletes such as Tomoru Honda, silver medalist in the butterfly event at TOKYO 2020, Yui Ohashi, double champion in individual medley, Rikako Ikee, who achieved four titles in butterfly and freestyle at Japan Swim 2023, and Yukiko Inui, gold medalist in artistic swimming at the Budapest 2022 World Championships.

For the schedule of events and ticket information, please search for "Fukuoka 2023 FINA World Championships Tickets" .

Let's enjoy the festive atmosphere of the event together at the venue and on television, where the citizens of Fukuoka and spectators from around the world come together in excitement for this event.

To continue, I'd like to share a little bit of information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation.

Through the Foundation's official LINE account, you can can get advice on daily life in Japan or make an appointment for free professional consultation using the LINE call feature. Telephone interpretation is available in 22 languages, so please feel free to contact them. In addition, you can get information on the Foundation's events and announcements for international residents. Please add the Foundation's official LINE account to your friends' list from the Fukuoka City International Foundation website. The foundation will not accept consultations via the LINE talk chat function, but you can use the inquiry form on the foundation's website if you want to send a message about anything.

【The Summer Solstice】

Next week, the 21st of June, marks the summer solstice or “Geshi” in Japanese.

The summer solstice is the day with the longest period of daylight from sunrise to sunset. It is also the day of the year when daytime is the longest, about 4 hours and 50 minutes longer than the winter solstice "toji", which is the shortest day of the year.

After this day, summer officially begins, and the temperatures start to rise. As it gets hotter, it's common for our appetite to decrease, and there is a tendency to consume lighter, refreshing meals, which can actually lead to nutritional deficiencies. It's important to maintain a balanced diet and ensure that you're getting enough nutrients, such as vitamin C and potassium, to help you get through the summer.

Additionally, engaging in moderate exercise and getting sufficient sleep are also crucial for getting through the summer season.

So, let's all get ready for the summer by focusing on nutrition and building our physical stamina.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Taxes

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City. If you live in Fukuoka City, and have earned more than 1 million yen the previous year, from January 1st to December 31st, you may need to pay taxes. You will receive a tax payment notification around the 15th of June. Please make sure you open that envelope, it has information on when you need to pay and how much will be due. You can pay at convenience stores, the bank or even the post office. If you are a regular company employee, these taxes may be taken out from your salary by your company.

If you do not pay your taxes, you may risk facing difficulty when it comes time to renew your residence status or risk being subject to seizure of property.

If there is anything you don't understand, or if you may have difficulty making payments, please consult with your local ward office. You can also consult by phone in 18 different languages. The phone number for this is 092-753-6113. This phone number will connect you to the ward office after you speak with an interpreter. Please tell the interpreter which ward you live in and that you are calling about taxes.

Foreign Student Taught Language Classes-Recruiting for Classes

I also have some information from the Fukuoka International Foundation to share with you about the language classes being taught this year by international exchange students.  The classes offer the opportunity to learn languages from various countries, such as Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, German, and Arabic. Through interactions with international student instructors, you will not only learn the language but also gain insights into their native cuisines and cultures. The classes will be conducted in Japanese.

The venue for the classes is Fukuoka City International Hall, which is just a 5-minute walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station on the Fukuoka City Subway.

The courses run from July 2023 to February 2024, totaling 8 months with a total of 28 lessons. The total tuition fee for each course is 33,000 yen.

For more detailed information regarding the languages offered, schedule, and other information, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation. You can search for "Foreign Language Classes Taught by International Students" on a search engine to access the page you need.

The application deadline is June 20th. They're looking forward to getting your applications!

【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!