Life in Fukuoka "English"

【BOOKUOKA】

The two weeks from October 27 to November 9 each year are known as “Reading Week.”
It’s a time meant to help people get closer to books. Autumn, with its refreshing air and pleasant weather, is the perfect season to concentrate on the enjoyment of reading.

One of the regular events held during this season is BOOKUOKA.

Started with the hope of “making Fukuoka a city of books,” this event is now in its 20th year. Bookstores, publishers, editors, and others involved in the world of books organize it, and a variety of events are held throughout Fukuoka City, including used book markets and talk events. During the period, the whole city comes alive with book lovers.

The main event is the Open-Air Used Book Market, which will be held on Sunday, November 2 this year.

The venue is Keyakidori Street, which stretches from Tenjin to Gokoku Shrine. Along this street, rows of outdoor book stalls will be set up. Publishers, bookstores, and general book lovers will display carefully selected secondhand books, opening small one-day-only secondhand bookstores. You may even find a rare or out-of-print book you’ve been searching for. Of course, you’ll also encounter many new books. Chatting with the vendors and browsing the unique booths is also part of the fun. It’s a popular event that draws a big crowd every year. Take a walk and drop by.

And another event that was first held last autumn and was very well received will also take place again this year! At Fukuoka PARCO in Tenjin, the limited-time event BOOK MEETS FUKUOKA will be held. Publishers and bookstores from across the country will gather, offering a wide variety of books.

A total of 34 unique small-to-medium-sized publishers from across Japan, along with 6 independently operated bookstores from Fukuoka Prefecture known for their distinctive styles, will participate. Each will present their carefully chosen standout book.
There will be a corner featuring recommended books from these book professionals, a traveling used book market, special exhibitions, and original goods for sale.

In addition, bookstores across Fukuoka will also be holding their own special programs during this period.

If you're interested, please search for BOOKUOKA.

This is an event where you can enjoy unexpected encounters surrounded by books.
Make the most of reading season this autumn!

【Fukuoka City Disaster Preparedness Fair】

On Saturday, November 1, the Fukuoka City Disaster Preparedness Fair will be held at Fureai Square, located on the west side of Fukuoka City Hall. This is an event where you can see, learn, and experience all things related to disaster preparedness.

At the venue, about 40 organizations and companies involved in disaster preparedness will host educational booths. Visitors can learn and experience disaster-related knowledge, techniques, and the latest equipment. There will also be a display simulating a shelter living space, allowing families to understand what evacuation centers are like.
This event helps everyone prepare for emergencies while having fun.

On stage, you’ll see impressive programs such as traditional fire-fighting demonstrations by the City of Fukuoka, fire drills using the city hall building, and rescue dog performances.

In addition, there will be displays of fire engines, police cars, and other emergency vehicles, a disaster-preparedness quiz for parents and children, and even an appearance by a 4-meter-long dinosaur!

With fun activities for families, the event is designed to help all generations become more familiar with disaster preparedness. There will also be a quiz rally with prizes and popular food trucks onsite. It’s an event that lets both children and adults enjoy learning about disaster safety.

The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
On Saturday, November 1, come to Fureai Square in front of Fukuoka City Hall and have fun while learning about disaster preparedness!

【Fukuoka City Information】

"Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School" Information Session

Have you heard about Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School? It’s a public night school established by Fukuoka City for people who couldn’t receive compulsory education for various reasons or who couldn't attend school due to issues like truancy. Enrollment is open regardless of nationality.

At this school, you can study the same nine subjects as in regular junior high school, and if you are worried about your Japanese skills, you can also receive Japanese language instruction. Graduating from the school grants you a junior high school diploma.

Classes are held on weekdays from 5:50 PM to 9:15 PM, and the school is located in Momochi, Sawara Ward. There are no fees for tuition or textbooks.

If you would like to know more, there will be a school information session on December 7th at 2pm. To participate, please register by December 1st via phone or the web. You can call (092-400-0751) between 2:00 PM and 9:30 PM on weekdays. Again, if you want to call for information, that phone number is (092-400-0751) and calls will be taken between 2:00 PM and 9:30 PM on weekdays. For web registration, search for "Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School Student Recruitment."

If you have questions or need advice, you can contact them via email in your own language using the address provided on their website.

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

【Hakata Old Town Festival / Hakata Old Town Light-Up Walk】

Today, I'd like to share some information about an autumn event where you can experience the charm of old Hakata.

Starting this Friday, the 17th, the “Hakata Old Town Festival” will begin. It will be held in the “Hakata Old Town” area, where many temples and old streets remain. Various events will take place in this area full of history and culture until Sunday, November 9. Over the 24-day period, visitors can experience this area in a new way with town walks, kimono dressing, hands-on activities, and delicious food and drink.

Among the highlights is the “Hakata Old Town Light-Up Walk,” which will take place for four days from Friday, October 31 to Monday, November 3. Which has become an iconic autumn event in Hakata, will be held. During this period, temples and shrines that are usually closed at night will be specially opened. Their buildings and gardens will be beautifully lit, and visitors can enjoy illuminated approach paths and atmospheric grounds in a completely different ambiance than during the day. This unique event offers a rare opportunity to view temples and shrines in this special nighttime setting. This year’s lighting theme is “Forest of Light.” The night-time “Hakata Old Town Light-Up Walk” will begin on Friday, October 31 and continue through Monday, November 3, with the light-up period from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Additionally, during these four days, there will be music events where visitors can enjoy live classical and jazz performances, along with Japanese sake and other drinks, and gourmet food from kitchen cars. At the night markets and local marches, visitors can also enjoy Hakata’s food culture during both the day and evening. For more details, please search the official website.

Be sure to head out and enjoy this unique opportunity to experience the special history and culture of Hakata available only during this event

【Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

The 23rd Japanese Speech Contest by International Residents

Come and show your support for the International residents giving speeches in Japanese for the 23rd Japanese Speech Contest. This year, on Sunday, October 19th  starting at 1 PM, the Fukuoka City International Foundation will be holding the 23rd Japanese Speech Contest by International Residents. At this contest, international residents and technical interns studying Japanese at schools or classrooms in the Fukuoka area will speak on various topics, such as their experiences living in Fukuoka and their dreams for the future, all in Japanese.

The event will be held at the Science Hall of Fukuoka City Science Museum in Ropponmatsu, Chuo Ward.
Admission is free, and no reservation is required.

Please come and listen to the participants showcase the results of their hard work and language studies!

For inquiries, contact the Japanese Speech Contest Executive Committee at the Fukuoka City International Foundation at （092-262-1744）.

The “Yarana Hiroba” Infant and Toddler Interaction Class

Moms and dads, would you like to come to a place where you and your child can have fun together?

At Naraya Community Center in Hakata Ward, a monthly infant and toddler interaction class,“Yarana Hiroba”, is held for parents and children to enjoy time together.

In October, the session will be held on Tuesday, the 28th, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

This month’s activity is a “Eurhythmics Class” (30 minutes) presented by Sanno Kodomo Plaza.

In this class, parents and children will move their whole bodies in rhythm with the music. It’s a special opportunity to enjoy plenty of physical closeness and bonding. Through eurhythmics, you and your child can experience the joy of music and expressing yourselves together.

For more details and information on how to register, please check the Fukuoka City International Foundation Facebook page.

【Sports Day】

Every year, the second Monday of October is Sports Day, a national holiday in Japan.  It's a day on which we should enjoy sports and nurture healthy minds and bodies. 

As the weather becomes more comfortable, sports festivals and athletic events take place all around the country. If you’ve been feeling like you haven’t been active enough lately, this is the perfect chance to get moving!

Naturally, doing exercise is a great boost to your health and helps your body get stronger and fitter, but as you do more and more, you get hungrier and food tastes even more delicious, don't you think?!

What's more, getting proper rest after physical activity helps reset your body's  rhythm, maintain your mental and physical balance and even improve your day to day performance.  

For adults, the ideal amount of physical activity to support good health is said to be at least 60 minutes a day of walking or other similar movement. That’s about 8,000 steps per day if you’re walking.

Now that the weather is getting nicer, it’s a great season to get out and get active. Whether it’s a sport you already enjoy, something new you’ve been wanting to try, or simply adding more movement into your daily life — why not make the most of this season of sports?

【Fukuoka City Information】

The Creators 2025

I want to share some information with you on the event "The Creators 2025", which will be on again this year. This is an event where you can experience creativity and entertainment with the latest in entertainment elements and technology-driven content.

This year, it will be held over two days, Saturday and Sunday, October 11th & 12th at United Labo in Daimyo in Chuo Ward and admission is free!

On stage, you’ll be able to enjoy live performances by popular artists like SIRUP and muque, as well as a collaborative performance by kimono artist Koji Fukumoto and the flower artist collective HANA ART KATAYAMA. 

 Also, the “FUKUOKA CREATORS AWARD,” which honors creators with ties to Fukuoka, is a special program that shines a spotlight on talent in fields such as games, music, anime, manga, video, fashion, and design. Don’t miss the interactive art created by local creators.

There will also be plenty of content that families can enjoy together, including programming and game development workshops for children, DJ experiences, and VR experiences.

For game fans, there will be a demo booth for the popular game “Gran Turismo 7,” VR experiences produced by local game companies, and talk sessions featuring special guests such as company representatives and game creators—lots of game-related content to enjoy!

Additionally, there will be limited-edition bread sold at the venue from “dacō Fukuoka,” another brand by Amam Dacotan. The bread will be offered in a tote bag in collaboration with NEWGRAPHY, an art book fair originating from Fukuoka.

It’s a special two-day event where everyone from children to adults can experience the joy of creation—be sure to come and enjoy it!