Life in Fukuoka "English"

【September is Fukuoka Music Month】

This week marks the end of summer vacation, and many schools are beginning their new term and next week we head into the month of September. 
And when we think of September, we think of Fukuoka Music Month.

In Fukuoka, a city known for its lively music scene, large-scale music events are held every weekend throughout September.
This year, five major events will take place over four exciting weeks.

The first event, BAYFES 2025, will be held next weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, September 6th and 7^th. It’s a free outdoor music festival held at Bayside Place Hakata, right by the Hakata Port. This year, international artists will also take part, including performers from Taiwan. Over two days, 11 groups of artists will perform across three different stages, featuring live music from musicians and DJ sets.

On the 6th, there will even be a special on-board live performance — a one-time-only show held inside a chartered sightseeing boat. You’ll also find a vintage vinyl market at the venue.

And on the evening before the festival, Friday the 5th, a pre-party will be held at Hakata Port Tower, the landmark of the harbor. The tower’s observation room will be transformed into a luxurious lounge for a Special DJ Night to kick things off.

BAYFES 2025 starts at 2 PM on both Saturday and Sunday and continues into the night. It’s three days of music you can immerse yourself in, right by the ocean, with a pleasant sea breeze blowing through the port.

In the second week, on Saturday and Sunday, September 13th and 14th, the streets of Nakasu, Fukuoka’s lively entertainment district, will come alive for NAKASU JAZZ, a free street jazz festival. Stages will pop up all around the area, and for two amazing days, the streets will be filled with the live performances of around 80 outstanding artists. From jazz standards to modern hits, the wide-ranging setlist and the energy of live street performances are sure to capture the hearts of not only jazz lovers, but even those who may not be so familiar with jazz.

The event starts in the evening, transforming the streets of Nakasu into a city of jazz for those two nights. There will even be special, one-night-only collaboration sessions, wonderful and can't-miss music events.

In the third week, two events will take place. On Saturday, September 20th, ISLA DE SALSA will be held, a multicultural exchange festival centered on Latin music.

The venue is Nokonoshima, a small island floating in Hakata Bay and surrounded by nature, just ten minutes by ferry from central Fukuoka. From local amateur bands to world-renowned performers, musicians and dancers from Japan and around the globe will take the stage.

It's a festival where you'll find a fusion of diverse music, dance, delicious food, art, and encounters with people and cultures from all over the world. It's a participatory music event where visitors can dance, connect, and discover new tastes while celebrating culture through rhythm and movement.

Also on the weekend of September 20th and 21st, Sing! HAKATA will take place over two days in front of Hakata Station. This is one of Japan’s largest participatory singing events, featuring genres like gospel, choir, and a cappella. There will be stages for citizen-led performances and special collaborations with guest artists.

In the heart of the city, right in front of Hakata Station, everyone will come together to form a circle of music, and for the grand finale, the entire venue joins in a massive group chorus.

This free music festival runs from morning to night over two days, bringing the city and its people together in music.

In the fourth week, on Saturday and Sunday, September 28th and 29th, MUSIC CITY TENJIN will be held in Tenjin.This is a city-style music festival where you can discover new music. With the main stage set up in the Fureai Plaza next to Fukuoka City Hall, additional free live stages will be scattered all around Tenjin , turning the whole area into one big free music event. Artists from all backgrounds, both professional and amateur, will take part, filling the city of Tenjin with music for two full days.

A full month of music filling the streets of Fukuoka starting next weekend! I hope you're looking forward to it!

【Ohori Park's Japanese Garden】

Fukuoka is home to many scenic gardens, and one of these is the Japanese Garden located at the south entrance of Ōhori Park in Chūō Ward.
Have you ever visited?

This garden, created using the techniques of traditional Japanese landscaping, is full of beautiful features to explore. Covering 1.2 hectares, it’s one of the largest gardens in the prefecture. A path encircles a large central pond, allowing visitors to enjoy the changing beauty of the seasons while strolling through the garden.

Inside the garden, there is a teahouse and on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Tuesdays of each month, the Tea Ceremony Hall (Chakaikan) is open to the public for free. You can also enjoy matcha tea for a small fee.

Currently, at this relaxing oasis in Fukuoka, the Ōhori Park Japanese Garden is hosting a special summer-only nighttime art event called “SORA 宙.” Set against the backdrop of a historic Japanese garden, the event combines cutting-edge digital technology with traditional Japanese aesthetics, creating an enchanting nighttime experience like no other.

Projection mapping is displayed on various garden features inspired by natural landscapes, allowing visitors to follow the light as they explore the grounds. This immersive experience expresses the Japanese worldview that “spirits reside in all things”—a unique cultural concept brought to life through modern visual art. It’s a new way to experience Japanese culture, inviting you to connect with its quiet depth in a garden that transforms completely after dark.

The event runs through the end of September, from sunset until 10 PM.
Why not stop by to cool off and enjoy a peaceful summer evening?

🔎 大濠公園日本庭園 「宙 -SORA-」

【Fukuoka City Information】

Eliminating Drunk Driving

If you are a recent resident of Fukuoka you may not know about this incident but for those of you who have been here for awhile....did you know about the drunk driving accident that occurred in Fukuoka City on August 25, 2006?

This year marks 19 years since that drunk driving accident which killed three children on the Umino-nakamichi-ohashi Bridge in Higashi Ward. In response to this tragedy, Fukuoka City has undertaken various initiatives to eliminate drunk driving.

Drunk driving is a crime.
You must not drive a car, motorcycle, or ride a bicycle after drinking alcohol.
You must not lend your vehicle to a person who has been drinking alcohol, nor should you encourage or offer alcohol to someone who intends to drive.
You must not get into a car knowing that the driver has been drinking.

Driving under the influence of alcohol lowers your attention and judgment, which can delay your ability to detect danger, lead to excessive speeding, and increase the risk of traffic accidents. 

Also, if you see someone driving in the way I'm going to describe, it's possible that person is driving drunk. If you see someone driving like this, please report it to emergency services by calling 110. Signs of a drunk driver include stopping the car well before the stop line when stopping at a stop sign, not starting the car up again when the traffic light turns green, weaving or unsteady driving and repeatedly accelerating or decelerating abruptly. Each and every person needs to take action and say “I will never drink and drive, I won't let others do it and I won't turn a blind eye!”
Let's all work together to eliminate drunk driving!

【Marine World Uminonakamichi – "Night Aquarium"】

This summer, why not enjoy a magical aquarium experience at night?

At Marine World Uminonakamichi in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City, the aquarium is currently holding its special evening event, “Night Aquarium,” with extended hours until 9:00 p.m.

Once the sun goes down, the lighting inside the aquarium changes completely, creating a dreamlike, enchanting atmosphere. One of the highlights is a mesmerizing show where about 20,000 sardines swim in harmony with music and lights. And don’t miss the dolphin show set against the backdrop of the night skyline. It's a totally different and moving experience from the daytime performance.

Marine World features around 30,000 sea creatures from 350 species, with a focus on the seas around Kyushu. Popular exhibits include the Island Stage, where you can observe seals from all angles, and Penguin Beach, where you can get an up-close look at adorable penguins.

Right now, there’s also a special collaboration event taking place! Until September 23, the world of the hit game "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" is making an appearance at Marine World. More than 50 species of sea creatures from the game are on display in real life, offering a fun experience that bridges the game and the real world.

There are also hands-on activities that the whole family can enjoy, such as a creature scavenger hunt using a game card, and a small seashell wreath-making workshop where you can create your own original design.

The nighttime aquarium offers a calmer, more magical atmosphere compared to the lively daytime. It’s open every day until Sunday, August 24, and then weekends and holidays only from Saturday, August 30 to Tuesday, September 23.

You can enjoy the aquarium all day long, from 9:30 a.m. through the evening.

Why not make this your special summer memory and experience the wonder of the night aquarium?

 🔎 夏は「夜のすいぞくかん」開催！｜マリンワールド海の中道

【Fukuoka City Information】

The Fukuoka Prize

Fukuoka City presents the Fukuoka Prize to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to academic research, arts, and culture in Asia.

This year marks the 35th presentation of the Fukuoka Prize. The 2025 laureates are:

Grand Prize: Mr. Takara Kurayoshi, a historian who actively promotes the identity of Okinawa and the Ryukyu region

Academic Prize: Mr. Baik Young-seo, a historian who reexamines East Asia from the viewpoint of ordinary people

Arts and Culture Prize: Mr. Vo Trong Nghia, a Vietnamese architect known for his sustainable urban designs addressing Vietnam's social challenges.

The award ceremony will be held on Tuesday, September 16, and talk events will take place on Monday, September 15 (national holiday) and Wednesday, September 17. On September 15, architect Vo Trong Nghia, recipient of the Arts and Culture Prize, will give a talk. At noon on September 17, historian Baik Young-soo will speak as the Academic Prize recipient and in the evening on the same day, Grand Prize winner Takara Kurayoshi will give his lecture. 

All events, including the award ceremony and talks, are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. The registration deadline for the award ceremony is Tuesday, August 26.  For the talk events, the deadline is two days before each event.

For more information and to register, please visit the official Fukuoka Prize website by searching “Fukuoka Prize”.

【Takasai SUMMER BOOST meets Tenjin Natsu Matsuri】

This time of year, summer festivals, an iconic part of Japanese culture, are held in towns all over the country. In the downtown Tenjin area of Fukuoka, the Tenjin Natsu Matsuri (Tenjin Summer Festival) is in full swing. This year, the festival has teamed up with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks’ summer event Takasai SUMMER BOOST, making it bigger and better than ever. Held in the heart of Fukuoka, Tenjin, this summer festival blends nostalgic charm with modern fun, offering something for all generations to enjoy.

At the food stalls, you’ll find a wide variety of treats, from classic festival favorites like kakigori (shaved ice) and yakisoba, to local Hakata specialties, cold beer, and trendy desserts. In the traditional "Ennichi" game area, festival-goers can try their hand at fun activities like yo-yo fishing, super ball scooping, and shooting games, all a ton of fun for both kids and adults! 

The festival stage also features performances by famous artists and local musicians, creating an exciting and lively atmosphere. And of course, no Japanese summer festival would be complete without the Bon Odori dance!  

Do you know about Bon Odori? Participants gather around a large “yagura”, a raised stage in the center of the plaza, dancing in a circle to nostalgic songs, modern pop hits, and powerful live taiko drum performances.

Enjoy a traditional Japanese summer experience where both children and adults can have fun together and rediscover their inner child.

The event takes place at Fureai Hiroba, next to Fukuoka City Hall.
It’s held daily until Sunday, the 17th of this month, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and admission is free. Even if it’s your first time, you’re sure to enjoy this unique and joyful Japanese festival. Definitely stop by and experience it for yourself!

 🔎鷹祭 SUMMER BOOST meets 天神夏まつり | 福岡

【Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

Legal Consultation and Personal Counseling

The Fukuoka City International Center offers free legal consultation and personal counseling for the international residents of Fukuoka City.

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.

Personal counseling services are available every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with a Japanese clinical psychologist in English or Japanese. Reservations are necessary, so please make one if you are interested.

Both types of consultations ensure strict confidentiality, so you can feel at ease when you come these consultations. Reservations will be taken from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM on weekdays. For detailed inquiries, please contact （0120-66-1799）.