Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Hakata Dontaku Port Festival】

Coming up in just about a week is the "Hakata Dontaku Port Festival" , a traditional festival that livens up the Golden Week even more in Fukuoka! Known as the "festival for the citizens of Fukuoka," this year it will be held over two days on May 3rd and 4th.

 This festival, which has a history of over 840 years, originates from Hakata's traditional performance art called "Matsubayashi." It is famous for its unique parade where people dressed in vibrant costumes dance and march through the town holding a "shamoji" or rice paddle that they use in their dance.

In addition to the parade, various events are held throughout the city, including performances of traditional arts, live artist shows, and food stalls that operate all day, offering Fukuoka specialties like Umegae Mochi.

The "Hakata Dontaku Port Festival" attracts many tourists from both Japan and abroad, bustling with over 2 million people each year. It's an excellent opportunity to experience the history, culture, and vitality of Hakata. So, if you are here in Fukuoka over the Golden Week, definitely go and check it out.

【Fukuoka City Information】

I guess like me, many of you probably ride bicycles on a regular basis.
If you are new here, do you know the rules and manners around riding bicycles here in Japan?
 
In Japan, bicycles, as a rule, are supposed to ride on the left side of the roadway.
Pedestrians have priority on sidewalks, so when riding on sidewalks, please ride slowly on the side of the road.
All bicyclists should wear helmets and you need to make sure you have a bicycle light to turn on at night.

Two people riding on one bicycle or riding side by side is prohibited. It is also important to never drink alcohol and then ride a bicycle.

One more thing is to make sure you don't ride a bicycle while holding an umbrella, using a cell phone or even listening to headphones as doing any of these things while riding is dangerous. 

If you need to park your bicycle, make sure it is parked in a bicycle parking lot.
Bicycles parked in areas other than bicycle parking lots, like on streets or in parks , are considered to be obstructive or a nuisance to pedestrians and end up being considered abandoned bicycles and can be subject to removal.
　 Fukuoka City charges a fee of 2,500 yen to have a removed bicycle returned, and if it is not picked up within a certain period of time, it will be disposed of.
Fortunately, to keep your bicycle safe, there are a number of parking areas near shopping malls and stations that offer free parking for a set period of time.

Another thing to know about cycling here is that, anyone who rides a bicycle in Fukuoka City must purchase bicycle insurance.
If you have an accident on your bicycle, you may have to pay a lot of money to the other party involved in the accident. If you have bicycle insurance, for example, if you injure someone while riding your bicycle, the insurance will pay for medical treatment and other expenses instead of you. So, make sure you have bicycle insurance in case of an accident.

Bicycles are a great way to get around and are environmentally friendly, but it's important to know the rules and manners as well to have a safe ride around the city!

【Fireworks in Higashi Ward】

Golden Week begins this weekend, and many of you may have plans to go out. If you are you looking for something around the city for the first day of Golden Week, then I've got information for you for Saturday the 27th, when the "Fukuoka Higashi Ward Fireworks Festival" will be held.

The location is the sea above Kashiihama in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City, at the Mishima Green Bay Walk. Starting around 7:30 pm, approximately 7000 fireworks are scheduled to be launched. It's a fireworks festival that can be viewed from 360 degrees, anywhere.

And of course, festival stalls are an important part of these kind of events, aren't they? The stall locations for the festival are divided into three areas, and the ones that are especially recommended are in the "Island City Outer Green Space" area, which is close to the fireworks and has no obstructions, and in the "Kashiihama Central Park" area, which has a free viewing area, toilets, and many stalls. 

Stalls will also be set up near the paid seating area in "Kashiihama North Park," but it's expected to be very crowded. Keep in mind though that the full view of the fireworks cannot be seen from this area due to the highway, so the other two areas are actually recommended.

For access to the venue, "JR Chihaya Station" is the way to go. The route from "JR Kashiihama Station" might be crowded as you get close to "Aeon Mall Kashiihama" area and you might have to make a long detour around it. Therefore, it's recommended to get off at "JR Chihaya Station" and head towards the free viewing areas of "Kashiihama Central Park" and "Island City Outer Green Space." One other thing to remember is that there is no parking available specifically for the event, so public transportation is probably the easiest way to go. 

So, if you are in the city, go and enjoy the first fireworks of the year in Fukuoka and the beginning of Golden Week♪

【Special discount tickets for kids during Golden Week】

 I've got some information for you about children's discount tickets available during the Golden Week period.

First on the list is from "JR Kyushu". From Saturday April 27th to Monday, May 6th,  the "Kids' Adventure Ticket" will be on sale. It's a ticket that allows unlimited rides for one day on JR Kyushu's local and rapid trains for 100 yen. If you purchase a special express ticket in addition to it, you can also use it for the Shinkansen and special express trains. This ticket must be purchased by 11pm the day before you plan to travel. It cannot be bought on the day of use. Sales are available through "JR Kyushu Internet Train Reservation" and at  ticket vending machines for reserved seats at JR Kyushu stations.

Next is for the "Fukuoka City Subway". The subway is also offering a one-day pass called the "Elementary School Student 100 Yen Pass", allowing unlimited rides on all Fukuoka City Subway lines for 100 yen for one day. This can be purchased on the day at each station's ticket counter or at a customer service center.

Finally, the discount for "Nishitetsu Bus". For this, all routes of Nishitetsu's regular buses and express buses are only 50 yen per ride, regardless of the distance. Cash or nimoca can be used, and children should say  "I'm an elementary school student" to the driver when they get off the bus to receive the discounted fare.

All three tickets are aimed at "elementary school students", so it's a great chance for families with young school age children to get out and enjoy your outings in Fukuoka♪

【BELGIAN BEER WEEKEND】

We're now in that time of year when it feels good to spend time outdoors, so I've got information about a fun event that lets you enjoy the outdoors and some good beer. The "BELGIAN BEER WEEKEND" starts this Wednesday, the 17th and goes to Sunday, the 21st, at Fukuoka City Hall, on the west side, at the Fureai Square. 

If you like beer, this is the event to check out. Belgium is a “beer heaven” with over 1600 types of beer being brewed there, so impressive that it has been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. And at this event, some of those beers will be coming here to Fukuoka, saving you the price of a plane ticket!

You can enjoy 12 types of Belgian beer, including representative types like "White Beer" and "Fruit Beer," totaling 52 varieties. Along with the beer, you can enjoy traditional Belgian dishes such as tasty Belgian fried potatoes "Frites" and "Carbonade," a stewed beef dish, all of which will taste great with your beer.

IN addition, "MaxPacemaker" from Belgium will visit Fukuoka and energize the venue with a techno sound on weekend nights along with a DJ from LOVEFM who will be there to liven up the stage with talks and games!

On weekdays, the festival is from 4pm to 10 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 am to 8pm.

So this week, why not enjoy Belgian beer, food, and music in the open air on a pleasant spring weekend unique to this season?

【Fukuoka City Information】

Rules about putting out the garbage

There are a lot of people who are starting a new chapter in their lives this month and that does typically mean buying new things or getting rid of old things. Which brings us to garbage and the rules around garbage here. 

In Fukuoka City, garbage is separated into three types. There is burnable, nonburnable and plastic pet bottles and glass garbage. You can buy the bags for each type of garbage at convenience stores and supermarkets, so make sure you use the Fukuoka City garbage bags for throwing things out. 

The red bag is for burnable garbage. This is used for garbage like paper waste, food scraps, clothes and plastics. 

The blue bag is for nonburnable garbage which includes things like empty cans and glass or ceramics. 

And the yellow bag is for plastic pet bottles and glass bottles. 

The day on which garbage is picked up is specific to your neighborhood. Burnable garbage is picked up twice a week and nonburnable and glass bottles and plastic pet bottles are picked up once a month. 

Garbage is picked up late at night so garbage should be put out between sunset and midnight on your collection day in the designated location. 

If you need to find out when garbage is picked up in your neighborhood, you can do so by adding the official Fukuoka City LINE account to your friend's list. Set your location when you add the account and you will get notifications for the pickup day. 

And, if you type in the name of the garbage you want to throw out, the account will tell you which bag you should put it in, so it's a pretty handy service. 

If you can't fit something you want to throw out in one bag because it is too big, it is considered over-sized garbage and needs to be thrown out through a different process. For over-sized garbage, pick-up can be arranged if you contact the Fukuoka City Oversized Garbage center, or Sodai Gomi Uketsuke in Japanese, by phone, on the internet or through LINE. They will tell you how much it will cost to throw away the item, where to put it and on what day and time they will pick it up. 

If you decide to call the Oversized Garbage Center, you can call (092-731-1153). They have support for 18 different languages. There is also a QR code service that provides information on garbage disposal rules in 10 different languages. Just check the Fukuoka City website for that QR code. 

【Parking Services at Fukuoka Airport】

This morning I have some exciting news for travelers! Next Tuesday, April 16th, marks the grand reopening of the multistory car park for domestic flights at Fukuoka Airport. Situated right in front of the domestic terminal, the capacity of this revamped parking facility has doubled with space for 1617 vehicles.

The exterior draws inspiration from Fukuoka's traditional craft, Hakata-ori, giving it a touch of local heritage. Each floor is easily identifiable through color and illustrations, featuring designs that celebrate Fukuoka's famous products like strawberries, the prefectural flower plum, and of course, ramen. It's a nod to everything Fukuoka is cherished for.

When it comes to parking fees, the first 30 minutes are free. After that, it's 250 yen for each additional half-hour. A full day's stay will cost you the regular rate of 3500 yen, but during peak times like the New Year holidays, it goes up to 4500 yen.

Checking the availability of parking spaces now is a breeze with updates available on the official website or on social media platform “X”. And here's a bonus for international travelers: you can book your parking spot in advance through the website.

We hope this information makes your journey smoother and more enjoyable. Safe travels!

【The Fukuoka City International Foundation】

Consultations on Immigration, Residency and Nationality Matters.

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.

Legal Consultation 

The Fukuoka City Consultation Support Center for Foreign Residents at the Fukuoka City International Center offers free legal consultation for foreign residents twice a month.

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.

You can make reservations via the Fukuoka City International Foundation's webpage but reservations are on a first come, first serve basis, so it may be better to call the center first to check.

These consultations ensure strict confidentiality, so please feel free to consult with us. Reservation hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays. For detailed inquiries, please contact (0120-66-1799). The Fukuoka City International Foundation is looking forward to hearing from you.

【National Spring Traffic Safety Campaign】

With the arrival of April this week, we've stepped into a new fiscal year. From this Saturday, the 6th, until the 15th, we will observe the "National Spring Traffic Safety Campaign."

This campaign spotlights four key areas:

• Ensuring roads are safe for children to navigate and promoting safe crossing methods.
• Reinforcing the importance of prioritizing pedestrians and encouraging considerate and yielding driving behaviors.
• Advocating for the use of helmets when riding bicycles or electric scooters and adherence to traffic rules.
• Eradicating drunk driving.

Throughout this period, various initiatives will be implemented across Fukuoka Prefecture, aiming to address these priorities.

April brings new first graders into our traffic society, yet their understanding of road dangers remains limited. Furthermore, children's field of vision is much narrower than adults might assume, often not fully aware of their surroundings. Let's be vigilant of children's sudden movements and potential to dart into the road.

This time also introduces new students and professionals, and many will find themselves on unfamiliar  routes to school or work. Mornings can be a rush, reducing our time for caution. In our haste, let's not neglect safety checks or forget the spirit of kindness and sharing the road. It's vital that adults set an example of traffic safety.

Let's all once again remind ourselves of the traffic rules and elevate our commitment to traffic safety.

With a little more time and patience in our hearts, let’s ensure everyone’s journey today is safe. Safe travels!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Consultations for Foreign Residents

Is there anything worrying you as you settle into your new life here? Or maybe something you don't understand? Well, at the Fukuoka City Consultation Support Center for Foreign Residents, you can get information on things like residence procedure, employment, medical care, welfare, childbirth, child rearing and children's education, as well as referrals to the appropriate consultation centers. To contact the Consultation Support Center, please call (0120-66-1799). Phone calls will be taken between 9am and 5:30 pm on regular business days. The center is closed on weekends, holidays and over the new year. 21 languages are supported at that hotline.

In addition, if there's there's anything you want to know about  National Health Insurance, garbage or taxes, or procedures necessary for living in Fukuoka City, please call the Interpretation Center.

You can also call the Interpretation Center for consultation by connecting to your local ward office. The telephone number is (092-753-6113). Phone calls will be taken between 9am and 5pm on regular business days. The center is closed on weekends, holidays and over the new year. 18 languages are supported at that number.

Finally, if you are looking for help finding a medical institution, talking to a doctor at a hospital, or receiving medicine at a hospital or prescription pharmacy, the city provides a service called the Fukuoka City Medical Interpreting Call Center service which provides telephone interpretation to and from the call center.
Requests for interpretation can be made by foreigners as well as by hospitals and prescription pharmacies.
The call center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and supports 20 different languages. The telephone number is (092-733-5429).