Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Recommended Beaches and Public Pools in Fukuoka City】

We are now in the middle of summer—have you been to the beach yet?
In Fukuoka, a city where urban life and nature are side by side, there are plenty of spots to fully enjoy the summer season.
Today, I’ll introduce some of the beaches and public pools within Fukuoka City.

So, first, let’s talk about beaches!

The first spot is Seaside Momochi Beach Park in Sawara Ward.
This is a safe and well-maintained beach located just north of Fukuoka Tower. You can enjoy not only swimming but also marine sports. There are beach houses, as well as restaurants and shops nearby. With easy access from Tenjin, this beach is popular with both tourists and locals.

The second spot is Shikanoshima Beach in Higashi Ward.
Shikanoshima is connected to the mainland, making it a perfect location for a drive. You can also get there within an hour from central Fukuoka using trains, buses, or ferries. The beach is known for its clear water and beautiful white sands. The northern tip, known as the Shirose area, is the only diving spot within Fukuoka City, and the views are spectacular.

Next is Nokonoshima Island Camp Village Beach in Nishi Ward.
It’s a nature-rich island about 10 minutes by ferry from Meinohama, featuring a beach surrounded by palm trees. The camp village has lodging, restaurants, and shops, allowing you to enjoy a resort-like atmosphere away from the city.

Also in Nishi Ward is the Ohara Beach, another highly recommended spot.
It’s one of Fukuoka’s longest beaches, with an open, unobstructed view where you can relax and enjoy swimming. The beach houses are well-equipped, and you can also enjoy BBQ, banana boat rides, and other marine leisure activities.

I've been to Momochi, Shikanoshima and Nokonoshima. I do like Nokonoshima, it really does feel like you've escaped for a little vacation somewhere. I've never been to Ohara Beach, so I might need to check it out.  And I have to say, I love a good beach bbq, so it might be the best place for me this year!

Besides these, there are many hidden beaches within Fukuoka City perfect for drives or leisurely walks where you can enjoy nature at your own pace. When you go out though, don’t forget to take precautions against heatstroke!

Next, let’s take a look at the public pool facilities.

When it comes to pools in Fukuoka City, the most famous is the Uminonakamichi Sunshine Pool in Higashi Ward. It’s one of the largest pool complexes in western Japan, featuring a 300-meter long lazy river and six different types of pools with fun features designed to excite children’s sense of adventure. It’s a classic summer destination loved by both kids and adults. During summer vacation, there’s also a convenient direct bus service from Tenjin, departing from in front of Tenjin Post Office. It’s a perfect spot for groups of friends or families who want to enjoy an active day out.

Next, we have the Fukuoka City Public Pools.
Each of Fukuoka’s seven wards has an affordable, year-round public pool facility open to everyone. These pools are kept at a comfortable temperature throughout the year, and most are equipped with parking lots, showers, and coin lockers.

Indoor pools, which can be enjoyed rain or shine and without worrying about the summer heat, are a popular option for outings during the hot season. Entry fees are very reasonable, especially in summer: just 320 yen for adults, 160 yen for high school students, and 110 yen for elementary and junior high school students for two hours of use.

The Chuo Civic Pool, located about six minutes by bus from Tenjin near Nishi Park, is the most accessible from the city center.
If you’re looking for variety, the Sogo Nishi Civic Pool offers both 25-meter and 50-meter pools with water depths ranging from 1 meter to over 3 meters, making it a top choice for convenience and scale in the city.
For serious swimmers, the Axion Fukuoka Prefectural General Pool in Hakata Ward is highly recommended, featuring competition-standard 50-meter lanes and a diving pool often used for international events.

Most facilities also have shallow pools for young children and outdoor pools.
Wherever you live in the city, you can stay active and cool this summer by making use of your local civic pool!

【IRIE MUSIC with JIM BEAM SUMMER FES 2025 in FUKUOKA】

This weekend, LOVE FM’s reggae program “IRIE MUSIC” will be holding a special music event!
“Irie Music,” the 100% reggae program that airs every Saturday morning at 8 a.m., will host its popular outdoor music festival once again this year. This popular event will take place over three days in the heart of Tenjin, themed around “Reggae, Hip-Hop, and Okinawa,” bringing you feel-good, rhythmic music.
It’s a free music event that anyone can enjoy, from reggae beginners to longtime fans.

The event runs for three days, from this Friday, the 25th, to Sunday, the 27th.
On Friday, it starts at 4 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday, you can enjoy music all day long starting from 11 a.m.
The venue is Tenjin Central Park, located just a short walk from Tenjin Station and once again, entry is free!

Of course, no festival is complete without great food!
You can enjoy a variety of delicious foods, including specialties from popular local restaurants and Okinawan cuisine, paired with refreshing cold drinks.
With fantastic live performances, delicious food, and drinks, come join us for the best music experience of the summer!

 🔎 https://lovefm.co.jp/jbsf/ 

 

 

【Fukuoka City Information】

Bicycle Rules and Manners

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. 

Also, 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. 

Finally, you should never drink alcohol and then ride a bicycle. 

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!

【Start Using a Reusable Water Bottle】

July is Heatstroke Prevention Awareness Month.
Heatstroke occurs when your body can no longer regulate its temperature due to intense heat or physical activity, leading to an imbalance of fluids and salts. Infants and toddlers are particularly at risk because their temperature regulation is still developing and symptoms can appear in a short time, so extra care is needed.

To prevent heatstroke, it’s important to avoid extreme heat, stay well-hydrated with both fluids and salts, and monitor your physical condition. A daily intake of about 1.2 liters of fluids (roughly 6 cups) is recommended. It’s important to drink regularly even if you don’t feel thirsty. Don’t forget to replenish salts too—sports drinks or salted candies can help.

To help residents stay hydrated while out and about, Fukuoka City has installed “My Bottle Refill Stations” at ward offices, community centers, gyms, parks, and other public facilities, where you can refill your bottle with chilled Fukuoka tap water.

In addition, around 90 participating businesses in the city are registered as My Bottle Partner Shops and will refill your bottle with water or coffee.
A list of refill locations can be found on Fukuoka City’s website—just search for “Fukuoka City My Bottle” in English. The first result should be the right one!

Let’s all make use of reusable bottles and refill services to stay hydrated during outings this summer!

 🔎Fukuoka city Let's start My Bottle! (Water Supply Spot, My Bottle Cooperating Shops)

 

 

【Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

Parent-Child Interaction Class “Yarana Hiroba”

Looking for a place to enjoy fun activities with your child?
Narayaya Community Center in Hakata Ward holds a monthly interactive class for infants and toddlers called Yarana Hiroba, where parents and children can enjoy time together. The next session will be held on Tuesday, July 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

This month’s session will feature a lecture by Chiho Horii, a school social worker and counselor, titled: “Thank You for Being Born — How Early Childhood and Adolescence Are Connected.”
Ms. Horii has appeared on NHK TV programs.

Everyone is welcome to attend but be aware that the lecture will be conducted in Japanese. 

For details on how to register, please check the Fukuoka City International Foundation’s Facebook page.

 🔎福岡市国際会館／あったか福岡 | Fukuoka-shi Fukuoka | Facebook

 

 

You Can Now Call for Help via LINE Call!

You can now make inquiries about general consultations and free expert consultation appointments through LINE Call on the Fukuoka City International Foundation’s official LINE account. Phone interpreting is available, so you can receive support in multiple languages.

You can also receive notifications about upcoming events and useful information for foreign residents.
Please add the Fukuoka City International Foundation as a friend from their official website!
Please be aware that the service does not support chat messages.
If you would like to send a written inquiry, please use the contact form on the foundation’s website.

 🔎FCIF LINE Official Account｜Fukuoka City International Foundation

【Fukuoka City Subway – Available Coin Locker Search Service】

With the growing number of international visitors to downtown Fukuoka areas like Tenjin and Hakata, more and more people are using coin lockers to store their luggage. To help reduce the hassle of walking around with bags while looking for an available locker, Fukuoka City Subway has introduced a new service for coin lockers located inside Tenjin and Hakata stations which will allow you to check the real-time availability of lockers at a glance.

Touchscreen panels have been installed near two ticket gates at each station, where you can search for available lockers by size and location. These panels are multilingual, supporting English, Chinese, and Korean. Additionally, for lockers that don’t have a touchscreen, a QR code system is available, allowing users to search locker availability using their smartphones.

Alongside this service, the number of large-sized lockers—big enough to fit carry-on suitcases—has been doubled at each station, making it even more convenient to use.

With summer holidays just around the corner, be sure to take advantage of this service when traveling or shopping to enjoy your time in Fukuoka more comfortably.

 🔎ロッカーコンシェルジュ｜富士アイティ株式会社

 

 

【Fukuoka City ／ Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

Warnings about Heatstroke

Now that the hot days of summer are here, I’d like to share some tips to help you prevent heatstroke this season.

Heatstroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature properly due to high temperatures or intense physical activity. This leads to an imbalance of fluids and electrolytes. Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea.

If you experience these symptoms and are unable to drink water on your own, or if cooling your body and rehydrating with fluids and electrolytes doesn’t lead to improvement, please call emergency services at 119 and request an ambulance.

Particularly from July onwards, as the temperatures start to rise after the end of the rainy season, the number of heatstroke related emergency calls increases rapidly. During this time, be especially careful, as high humidity and the body’s lack of acclimatization to the heat can raise the risk. Keep in mind that heatstroke can occur not only outdoors but also indoors. 

Here are some tips for preventing heatstroke:

Stay hydrated by drinking fluids regularly. Water and barley tea are recommended for daily hydration. During exercise or physical activity, oral rehydration solutions or sports drinks are ideal.

Replenish both fluids and salt after sweating.

Wear a hat or use a parasol to avoid direct sunlight.

Use air conditioning and fans efficiently to keep the room temperature below 28°C.

Use cooling items such as cooling sheets or ice pillows.

Maintain a balanced diet, get adequate sleep, and take care of your overall health.

Take care of yourself and remember to stay cool and safe throughout the summer months.

 🔎Fukuoka city Prevent heat stroke and Enjoy Summer!

 

 

New Employment Consultation Service for International Students!

A free employment consultation service is now available for international students who wish to find a job in Fukuoka City. At the consultation desk, employment specialists provide continuous support, including information on obtaining the appropriate visa status for employment and advice on interview preparation.

The service is available at the Fukuoka City International Foundation in Tenya-machi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. Online consultations are also available.

For the consultation schedule and to make a reservation, please visit the Global Community Fukuoka Facebook page.

🔎Global Community Fukuoka | Facebook