Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Fukuoka Silvester Concert】

There are now fewer than 10 days left in the year. How about welcoming the end of the year and the moment of the New Year with music? On New Year's Eve, December 31, the Fukuoka Silvester Concert 2025 will be held at Fukuoka Sunpalace in Hakata Ward.

The Fukuoka Silvester Concert is a New Year’s Eve musical event where general participants from the public join in chorus and orchestra to welcome the New Year on a grand stage together with soloists and professional musicians. Since its first event in 2014, it has been held with the goals of promoting musical culture, contributing to the local community, and building human connections, with the involvement of many Fukuoka citizens. Beginners are welcome! People unfamiliar with classical music are especially encouraged to attend. Some people who came as audience members have even made their stage debut in the chorus the following year.

Even before the concert begins, the lobby events offer a fun experience, with food stalls, miscellaneous goods, and performances by street entertainers, making it easy for anyone to enjoy, even if they're not familiar with classical music. The concert program itself includes many well-known pieces such as Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” making it a great introduction to classical music.

The highlight of the concert is, without a doubt, the moment of the New Year countdown! Will the countdown performance—where the year changes right as the music ends—succeed again this year?

The countdown piece for 2025 has been decided: “The Blue Danube.” This piece by Johann Strauss II, who celebrates his 200th birth anniversary, will be performed with chorus. It promises to be a tense and emotional moment, a special experience where everyone can celebrate a glamorous New Year's together.

The concert will take place on New Year's Eve, December 31, at Fukuoka Sunpalace in Hakata Ward, starting shortly after 10 p.m. Why not spend the final night of the year with music and encounters with many people? Experience a uniquely Fukuoka New Year’s celebration that goes beyond the boundaries of classical music!

【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, please don't smoke 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.

【New Areas and Services at Fukuoka International Airport】

This week, I’d like to tell you about the new areas and services at Fukuoka International Airport.

The commercial area inside the international terminal’s third-floor boarding lounge has been newly expanded and opened this month. Thirteen unique shops, including six making their first appearance in Kyushu, have opened as a retail zone to meet the needs of travelers just before boarding and the growing demand from inbound tourists. The lineup includes food and traditional crafts that allow you to rediscover the charm of Japan and Fukuoka before departure, as well as character merchandise, convenience stores, clothing shops, and electronics retailers—offering a wide range of options to meet diverse needs. The area is also stocked with travel goods useful for your journey and perfect souvenirs, making it a comfortable and convenient space.

In addition, the arrival lobby on the first floor now features a specialty capsule toy store, representing a piece of Japanese culture that has gained global popularity. With over 500 capsule toy machines lined up, it offers a diverse selection of items. You’re sure to find something you’ll want—whether for yourself or as a small gift.

Furthermore, a convenient new service has also been introduced. Starting in November, Fukuoka International Airport launched the AI-based lost and found support system called “Lost and Found Cloud – find.” This service allows you to easily inquire about lost items at the airport via chat. It supports not only Japanese but also English, Simplified Chinese, and Korean.

Please note that it covers only lost items kept within Fukuoka Airport; items lost in customs areas, onboard aircraft, at airline counters, or in airline lounges are not included. No app installation is required. Simply access it from the official website of Fukuoka International Airport, go through a simple email authentication, and you can start chatting immediately from your browser.

With the upcoming year-end and New Year holidays, I guess many of my listeners may be using the international terminal at Fukuoka Airport. I hope this information is helpful!

【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, so please make note.

Ward offices will be closed from Saturday, December 27th, to Sunday, January 4th.   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 Wednesday, December 31st, to Saturday, 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 Tuesday, December 30th.  Scheduled garbarge pick-up will resume on Sunday, January 4th.  For nonburnable garbage and glass and pet bottles, in areas where collection is scheduled for Thursday, January 1st, dispose of garbage on Tuesday, December 30th.

Also, applications and pickup for oversized garbage will be stopped between Sunday, December 28th, to Sunday, January 4th, 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.

【Japan Mobility Show Fukuoka】

From Thursday, December 18 to Sunday, December 21, the Japan Mobility Show Fukuoka 2025 will be held for four days at Marine Messe Fukuoka Halls A and B in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. In addition to exhibits of concept cars, the latest production cars, and motorcycles by domestic and international manufacturers, various types of mobility will be introduced, and visitors can experience test rides.

One of the main topics of interest is that 34 four-wheeled and two-wheeled brands will be exhibiting. In addition to displays of vehicles equipped with the latest technology and test ride events, there will also be rare classic car exhibits and demonstrations where visitors can experience the legendary engine sounds.

Other attractions include displays of transforming robots and future mobility devices shaped like Pokémon characters, as well as test rides of next-generation mobility devices.

Furthermore, this year’s mobility show has been enhanced as an event the whole family can enjoy. There will be displays of working vehicles like fire trucks and police cars, as well as exhibits and sales of the popular mini-car brand Tomica. There will also be opportunities to experience jobs related to vehicles, such as automobile mechanics and engineers.

In addition, the event will feature an impressive selection of gourmet foods gathered from all over Japan, making it a fun-filled day from start to finish. For details about ticket prices and other information, please search for “Japan Mobility Show Fukuoka 2025.”

Why not go out and experience the exciting new possibilities of mobility?

【Fukuoka City Information】

Year-End and New Year Closure Notice

This is an announcement from the Fukuoka City Consultation and Support Center for Foreign Residents. The Fukuoka City Consultation and Support Center for Foreign Residents will be closed for nine days from Saturday, December 27 to Sunday, January 4. In 2026, the center will reopen on Monday, January 5, at 9:00 a.m.

The first “Free Legal Consultation for Foreign Residents” of 2026 will be held on Wednesday, January 21. Reservations are required for legal consultations, so if you wish to consult, please contact the center as soon as possible. The “Consultation for Foreign Residents” on immigration, residency, and nationality matters, which does not require a reservation, will be held on Sunday, January 11.

For more details, please call or visit the website of the Fukuoka City Consultation and Support Center for Foreign Residents. The phone number is (0120-66-1799). Calls are toll-free.

The Fukuoka City Consultation and Support Center for Foreign Residents offers one-stop support for resident foreigners regarding residency procedures, employment, medical care, welfare, childbirth and child-rearing, education for children, and other daily life matters, through in-person, phone, or email consultations. Multilingual support is available. Free specialist consultations with psychological counselors, administrative scriveners, and lawyers are also provided. Please feel free to consult with the center if you need help with any of these things.

【Fukuoka International Marathon】

Fukuoka’s winter tradition, the Fukuoka International Marathon, will be held this Sunday, December 7.

This is a full marathon for men officially recognized by World Athletics, and has been held since 1947. It is also one of the qualifying events to select male athletes to represent Japan in the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Elite runners from both Japan and abroad gather in Fukuoka for this race.

The runners will start at 12:10 p.m. from Heiwadai Track and Field Stadium and Ohori Park, located in Fukuoka’s Chūō Ward. They will loop around the southwestern part of the city, turn back at Kashi in the Higashi Ward, and return to Heiwadai Track and Field Stadium. The course runs through central parts of the city such as Kego, Yakuin, and in front of Hakata Station, allowing spectators to see world-class runners up close.

At the Hakata Entrance Plaza in front of Hakata Station, there is also a display of plaques featuring the footprints and autographs of past winners.

On the day of the event, traffic regulations will be in effect on roads along the course, including around JR Hakata Station, so please be aware of that.

Let’s cheer the runners on from the roadside!

【Fukuoka City / Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

 World Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week

First is about Human rights, which 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.

So take a moment with this information and consider once again what compassion and irreplaceable life means.

 Parent-Infant Play Group “Yarana Hiroba”

Are you a parent with a baby or toddler looking for a fun outing?

At the Naraya Community Center in Hakata Ward, a parent-infant play group called the “Parent-Infant Play Group” is held every month!

The theme for December is the exciting “Christmas Party.”

It will be held on Tuesday, December 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Let’s enjoy a lively time together with picture books, songs, and sticker play!

For details on how to sign up, please check the Facebook page of the Fukuoka City International Foundation. They are looking forward to your participation!