Life in Fukuoka "English"

【DISNEY ANIMATION IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE】

This morning, I've got a special announcement for Disney fans!

Starting October 13, the Disney Animation Immersive Experience will open at the Fukuoka City Museum — marking its very first appearance in Kyushu!
Launched in North America in 2022, this extraordinary event has captivated audiences around the world. It brings the magic of Disney Animation to life through spectacular visuals and music.

You can ride a magic carpet with Aladdin and Jasmine, or step into an enchanted house with Mirabel — just like in the movies! From early Disney classics to the latest favorites, this completely new experience will make you feel like you’re right inside the story.
The event runs from October 13, 2025, to February 1, 2026, at the Fukuoka City Museum.

And here’s something even more exciting — photography is allowed in all areas! Plus, you’ll find original merchandise available only at this event.
Step into the world of Walt Disney Animation Studios and immerse yourself in the music, artwork, and animation behind beloved films like Frozen, The Little Mermaid, and Big Hero 6.
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind chance to experience Disney magic like never before!

【Fukuoka City International Foundation】

Come and Listen to the 23^rd Japanese Speech Contest by International Residents

The 23rd Japanese Speech Contest by International Residents will be held this year on Sunday, October 19th, beginning at 1:00 PM.

In this contest, international residents studying Japanese at language schools and classrooms in the Fukuoka metropolitan area will give speeches in Japanese on a variety of topics, including their experiences living in Fukuoka and their dreams for the future.

The event will be held at the Science Hall of the Fukuoka City Science Museum, located in Ropponmatsu, Chuo Ward.

Admission is free, and no reservation is required.

Come and hear the participants showcase the results of their dedicated Japanese language studies!

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

Introducing the Volunteer Bank – Supporting International Exchange Through Language and Heart

The Fukuoka City International Foundation has been operating the Foreign Language Volunteer Bank since 2021. The aim of this initiative is to help create a multicultural society where local Japanese residents and foreign residents in the region can better understand one another and live together comfortably.

This program is open to anyone who is a high school student or older and either lives, works, or studies in the Fukuoka metropolitan area. Volunteers participate in interpretation and translation activities — from Japanese to other languages, and vice versa.

Taking part as a volunteer not only helps improve your language skills, but also deepens your understanding of the local community. Your language ability can become a powerful tool in supporting international exchange!

If you're interested or thinking about participating, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation website for more information and to learn how to apply.

If you have any questions, feel free to call them at （092-262-1744）.

【Guest Interview】

-Matthew Porter-

Associate Professor, Nursing Department, Fukuoka Jo Gakuin Nursing University

Associate Director, Japan Association for Nursing English Teaching

https://ns.fukujo.ac.jp/teacher/archives/32

https://www.instagram.com/fukujo_ns_university/

https://www.instagram.com/fukujo_simulation_center/

【ART FAIR ASIA FUKUOKA】

In Fukuoka, known as the “Gateway to Asia,” an art fair with an Asian concept, ART FAIR ASIA FUKUOKA 2025, will be held next weekend. This gallery show brings together art galleries from across the region to exhibit and sell their works. Aiming to connect Asia and Japan, as well as the local and the global, the fair creates a space where diverse expressions beyond traditional frameworks meet with new talents shaping the future , a gathering filled with Asia’s energy and creativity.

This year marks the 10th anniversary, and the event will be larger than ever, featuring over 100 booths. It has also evolved into an “experiential art fair” where visitors can not only view and purchase art but also immerse themselves in interactive experiences. With a focus on artists from Asia, Kyushu, and Fukuoka, the fair collaborates with museums, universities, companies, and other art fairs both in Japan and abroad.

In the main section, carefully selected commercial galleries from Japan and overseas will showcase their collections. There will also be performance art, live shows, large-scale installations, and a special curated area introducing leading artists driving Asia’s contemporary art scene.

The event will be held at Marine Messe Fukuoka, Building B, over three days from Friday, September 26 through Sunday, September 28. Visitors can look forward to a unique, immersive art experience that will inspire creativity and imagination. Don’t miss it!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Tuberculosis Prevention Week

From September 24th to September 30th is Tuberculosis Prevention Week.

Tuberculosis, or TB, is an infectious disease caused by the tuberculosis bacteria, mainly affecting the lungs. In 2024, 176 people were newly diagnosed with tuberculosis in Fukuoka City. In recent years, there has been a growing number of cases among foreign-born residents in their 20s and 30s, and group infections have also been reported at Japanese language schools.

Common symptoms include coughing, phlegm, fever, chest pain, fatigue, night sweats, and weight loss. In its early stages, TB can resemble a common cold. If you have symptoms such as a cough lasting more than two weeks, phlegm, feeling unusually tired, or sudden weight loss, please visit a medical facility as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment not only prevent the illness from becoming severe but also protect your family, friends, and coworkers from infection.

Being infected with the tuberculosis bacteria does not always mean you will develop the disease. However, if your immune system cannot control the bacteria, it can multiply over time and lead to illness. To reduce the risk, it’s important to maintain good health habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly. Also, even if you are diagnosed with tuberculosis, it can be cured by taking the prescribed medication every day as instructed by your doctor.

Fukuoka City also provides a Medical Interpretation Call Center that can help you find a hospital and assist with conversations at clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies when receiving medication.

The service is available 24 hours a day, every day. The phone number is （092-733-5429）

Support is available in 20 languages, so please don’t hesitate to call if you need assistance.

【Hojoya】

Hōjōya is one of Fukuoka’s three major festivals and a beloved autumn tradition. It takes place at Hakozaki Shrine in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City, every year from September 12 to 18, lasting seven days and seven nights. This festival has been passed down for over a thousand years.

It is a sacred ritual to honor and give thanks for the lives we take to survive. Many also visit the shrine to pray for things like prosperity in business or safety at home, and each year it draws approximately one million visitors.

Along the nearly one-kilometer-long approach to the shrine, you’ll find around 500 stalls, from food vendors to traditional festival games like shooting galleries and water balloon fishing, all bustling with crowds. Unique to Hōjōya are nostalgic attractions like haunted houses and curiosity show tents, which are rarely seen at festivals today.

In the past, ginger fields surrounded the area, and a custom began of bringing home fresh ginger, with the green leaves still attached, after visiting the shrine. Even today, you’ll find plenty of fresh ginger for sale. It’s the perfect time to use it to make syrup or pickled ginger and recharge your energy during the lingering summer heat. Another local favorite is the Yaki-mochi, a sweet rice cake filled with red bean paste.

You can also enjoy musical performances, including traditional Japanese taiko drumming, and a display of intricate local glass art called “Chanpon.” For a bit of luck, try the “Hato Mikuji”—a fortune slip where you’re guaranteed to win a good luck charm.

With plenty to see from morning to night, Hōjōya is a lively autumn festival packed with excitement. As you give thanks for the blessings of the season, why not head out and experience this treasured part of Fukuoka’s fall tradition?

【Fukuoka City International Foundation】

Now Accepting Participants: "Let’s Help Build a Community Together Using Easy Japanese – with a UN Official!"

The Fukuoka City International Foundation will be hosting a special workshop on city planning, led by a staff member from the United Nations Habitat Fukuoka Headquarters.

The workshop is open to students from 4th grade of elementary school to 3rd year of junior high school. It will be held on Sunday, September 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in one of the conference rooms at ACROS Fukuoka. 

The UN-Habitat Fukuoka Headquarters, which carries out housing-related activities, is the only United Nations agency located in Kyushu.

In this workshop, participants will become residents of an imaginary “Habitat Village,” which has been badly damaged by heavy rain. Working together, they’ll think about ways to rebuild the community.

The workshop will be conducted using Easy Japanese, so children of foreign nationality are also warmly encouraged to join. Anyone interested in learning more about the global activities of the United Nations is welcome to join.

Participation is free, but advance registration is required.

For details on how to sign up, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation’s website or Facebook page.

The website address is 【www.fcif.or.jp】

【Fukuoka-Grown Figs – “Toyomitsuhime”】

Figs are in season around this time of year. Did you know that Fukuoka Prefecture is the second largest producer of figs in Japan? Fukuoka-grown figs soak up plenty of summer sunlight, resulting in a rich sweetness and an elegant flavor.

Among them is a special variety called Toyomitsuhime, which is grown exclusively in Fukuoka. These figs are a vivid ruby color, with large, juicy flesh, a strong sweetness, and a smooth texture. Their average sugar content is over 17 degrees Brix, offering a sweetness similar to melon. They are also known as a fig you can eat with the skin on.

Because figs quickly lose their freshness after harvest, only perfectly ripe fruit is picked. Thanks to this careful approach by farmers, Toyomitsuhime figs are rarely distributed outside of Fukuoka.

When choosing delicious figs, look for ones that are evenly reddish-brown and have smooth, taut skin. The darker the color, the better. Figs are also rich in calcium, potassium, and dietary fiber which are nutrients known for supporting beauty and wellness.

Be sure to look for Toyomitsuhime figs while they’re in season, and give them a try!

【Fukuoka City / Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

Disaster Prevention Day and Stockpiling Encouragement Week

Disaster Prevention Day is an annual awareness day and is on September 1st. And in Fukuoka City, the week of the 1st to the 7th of September is Fukuoka City's Stockpiling Encouragement Week. Stockpiling refers to keeping a good supply of food and other necessities in your home. And through this one week event, the city hopes to raise its citizens' awareness of disaster prevention, including the need to stockpile in both our homes and workplaces.

So why do we need to stockpile? Well, if there is an earthquake or typhoon, even if you aren't in danger, without food or water, we can't survive. If the stores shut down, we can't buy the food and drinks we need. If the water supply is disrupted, there's no water to drink. And, if the electric and gas are out, there's no way we can cook food. So, in order to ensure that the lives that have been saved can actually survive, it's important to have emergency supplies prepared in advance.

Alright, so what should be stockpiled?

Make sure to have a three-day supply of drinking water and food. One person needs roughly three liters of water per day.

Nonperishable emergency foods like freeze-dried rice, canned foods, biscuits, chocolate bars and hardtack are some things that are good to have on hand. Food that doesn't need to be cooked is essential.

If you have a radio and flashlight, make sure they have batteries. And if you take medicine, or need bandages or anything like that, make sure you have extra supplies in with your first aid kit. If there is an infant in your family, make sure you have diapers in your supplies as well.

In addition to the water you'll need for drinking, you'll also need water for flushing the toilet and other daily needs. Keep a polyethylene water tank with tap water and consider keeping your bathtub filled as well.

Buy a little more than you usually do, of the foods you normally eat, and as you use them up, consuming them based on their expiration dates, keep replacing them so that you always have a little more than enough in your house. This is your rolling stock. This is recommended because you always have a certain level of stored food, and it falls within the scope of your usual shopping routine in terms of cost and time.

As typhoons do often occur around this time of year, take this opportunity to prepare for disasters once again.

Parent-Child Interaction Class “Yarana Hiroba”

Would you like to visit a place where you and your child can have fun together?

At Naraya Community Center in Hakata Ward, a monthly parent-child program called “Yarana Hiroba” is held. It’s a fun and welcoming space for infants, toddlers, and their parents to spend time together.

The next session will be held on Tuesday, September 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

This month’s activity is “English Story Time & Free Space.”

You’ll enjoy reading English picture books and moving along to English songs with your child.

For more details, including how to sign up, please check the Fukuoka City International Foundation Facebook page.