Life in Fukuoka "English"

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.

【Baby Dolphin at Marine World Uminonakamichi】

In October, a baby dolphin was born at Marine World Uminonakamichi, the aquarium located in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City.

The newborn is a male bottlenose dolphin, born on October 27th, measuring just over 1 meter in length. Typically, if a dolphin's birth takes more than two hours, the survival rate decreases. This particular birth took approximately 3.5 hours, but both mother and baby are healthy and thriving.

A caretaker shared the following information: "The baby dolphin has a sturdy build and swims exceptionally well. His clear, wide-open eyes are a charming point for many. I hope he gets a name that children will love and becomes a favorite among visitors."

The baby dolphin's name will be chosen through a visitor vote, so if you visit the aquarium, don’t forget to cast your vote!

In addition to this, Marine World Uminonakamichi regularly hosts a variety of fun events. The new area, "Kaiju Island", features up-close experiences with adorable seals, showcasing their charming gestures and calls. Feeding experiences with dolphins and sea lions are also very popular at the aquarium.

For event details and the latest updates, be sure to check their official website!

🔎https://marine-world.jp/news/post-6963/

【Fukuoka City and Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

World Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week

Human rights" refers to the right to "live like a human being" that each individual has from birth.
December 10 is World Human Rights Day, a day to think about "human rights" not only in Japan but also in other parts of the world.
December 4 to 10 is Human Rights Week, and Fukuoka City also observes "Respect for Human Rights Week," which aims to make Fukuoka City a better place to live, where human rights are respected, and there is no discrimination.

While you ARE irreplaceable, OTHERS are also irreplaceable. This is an important week to know that each and every one of us is important.

In order to realize a society where "no one is left behind" as stated in the SDGs, it is important to eliminate discrimination and prejudice against women, children, the elderly, foreigners, and people with disabilities, and to respect each other's human rights.

The December 1 issue of the Fukuoka City Newsletter features the concept of "Foreign Residents Contributing to Fukuoka City and Multicultural Initiatives" and includes introductions to "Foreign Residents Active in Fukuoka City" and "Interaction Activities Between Foreign Residents and Local Communities" , things that are strongly connected to a society where everyone can understand each other, so be sure to check it out and consider once again what compassion and irreplaceable life means. 

Naraya  December 10 Community Center-Infant Interaction Class

For those of you with children, wouldn't you like to visit a place where you can have fun with your children? At the Naraya Community Center in Hakata Ward, a parenting exchange salon takes place every month. Every fourth Tuesday of the month, they hold an infant interaction class, called Yarana Hiroba, where parents and children can have a great time together.

The event will be held on Tuesday, December 10th, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. The theme is a Christmas Party, where participants can enjoy activities such as storytelling, singing, and playing with stickers. Let’s have a lively and cheerful gathering together!

For more details on how to apply, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation’s website or Facebook page.