Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Fukuoka Budokan】

This month, the relocated Fukuoka Budokan has newly opened at Higashi Park in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City.

The Fukuoka Budokan is a martial arts center managed by Fukuoka Prefecture. It hosts martial arts competitions such as judo, kendo, kyudo, and sumo, as well as police training exercises. It also serves as a hub for promoting sports among the public. The facility was originally located near Ohori Park in Chuo Ward but has now relocated due to the reconstruction of the Fukuoka Prefectural Art Museum. The new Budokan has opened on the west side of the Fukuoka Citizens’ Gymnasium.

The new building has one basement floor and four above-ground floors. The first floor houses a sumo ring. On the second floor, there are four indoor judo and kendo courts, which were previously outdoors. The fourth floor has a kyudo (Japanese archery) range. Additionally, the basement level now features a newly built gymnasium the size of one basketball court.

Designed as a space that “connects martial arts and Fukuoka’s culture,” the building features a design inspired by the spirit of Japanese martial arts, with an exterior patterned after Hakata-ori (traditional Hakata weaving) to reflect the essence of Fukuoka. Inside, traditional crafts from Fukuoka Prefecture are on display. The facility is also environmentally friendly, with solar panels and the use of local Fukuoka wood for interior walls and seating.

Managed under the jurisdiction of the Fukuoka Prefectural Police, the Fukuoka Budokan is open to the public outside of scheduled police training times. Reservations can be made at the front desk.

Whether you are already familiar with martial arts or completely new to them, come visit the newly reborn Fukuoka Budokan and experience its charm for yourself.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Be Careful about the Norovirus

As you may know, winter is the season when it's very easy to get infectious gastroenteritis and food poisoning due to the Norovirus. It's a strong virus and can be transmitted even with very little contact. 

The virus enters your body via the food you eat or from your hands from touching something. It causes vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. You can get the virus through inhalation if someone with the virus in the area has been vomiting or had diarrhea. You can also get it from foods that have been cooked by somebody infected by the virus. It can also be transmitted by eating shellfish, like oysters, that haven't been thoroughly cooked and are carrying the virus. 

Severe vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration. So if you think you have caught the virus, get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible. You'll recover in a few days but the virus can hang around for a week to a month, even in your stools, and so it is possible to infect others, something we need to be careful about. 

We can take measures to prevent the spread of infection, however. Be sure to wash your hands with soap before preparing meals, before eating and after using the toilet. Make sure you wash your utensils and cooking tools thoroughly after each use and disinfect them with bleach or boiling water. Alcohol disinfectants aren't that effective against the Norovirus, but heat is. The Norovirus is killed at temperatures of 85-90 degrees Celsius. 

So, make sure that when you cook, things are cooked thoroughly and that you wash any fruits and veggies that you don't cook. And, of course, if you don't feel well, try to stay away from  doing too much in the kitchen. 

If you feel unwell and need to visit a hospital, Fukuoka City provides access to a Medical Interpretation Call Center. This service can help you communicate with doctors during consultations and also assist when receiving medication at hospitals or pharmacies.

If you're not sure which medical facility you should go to, you can also call for advice on where to seek care.

The phone number is (092-733-5429).

The service is available 24 hours a day, every day, and supports 20 different languages, so please don’t hesitate to call if you need help.

【Guest Interview】

➖Ikarah Woodvine➖

Fukuoka Woman's University international students from England

instagram:@ikarahswoodvine

https://www.instagram.com/ikarahswoodvine/

【Street Piano】

In recent years, more and more street pianos have been installed in towns, including at train stations and public facilities, allowing anyone to play freely. Street pianos offer the joy of making music, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player. In Fukuoka City as well, there is a street piano on the first floor of Solaria Plaza in Tenjin, where the LOVE FM studio is located. Additionally, in Bayside Place Hakata in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka’s first grand piano has been installed in front of a large aquarium. It’s a popular photo spot where you can perform with around 3,000 fish swimming in the background.

And this week, a street piano that was exhibited at the 2025 Japan International Expo (Osaka-Kansai Expo) is coming to Fukuoka. The piano is decorated with designs including the official Expo character "Myakumyaku," and will be on special display at Yamaha Music Fukuoka starting this week on the 17th.

Yamaha Music Fukuoka is located on the first basement floor of ACROS Fukuoka in Fukuoka City. The display period is from Saturday the 17th to Monday the 26th of this month. Store hours are 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., but please note that the store is closed on Tuesdays.

This street piano was displayed at the Osaka-Kansai Expo from September to October 2025. As a special model featuring Expo visuals such as Myakumyaku, it is now on tour in five cities across Japan due to popular demand. Fukuoka is the third stop on the tour. During the display period, anyone is free to play it and enjoy the special upright piano in the heart of Tenjin. It’s a rare opportunity to see and play a designer piano that was only viewable at the Expo.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Student Recruitment for Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School

Do you know about Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School ?

Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School is a public night school created by Fukuoka City for individuals who couldn’t complete compulsory education due to various circumstances, including truancy. Enrollment is open regardless of nationality.

The school offers all the subjects taught in daytime junior high schools, and for those concerned about their Japanese skills, Japanese language teachers provide instruction from basic levels. Graduates receive an official junior high school diploma.

Classes are held from 5:50 PM to 9:15 PM on weekdays on the 4th floor of the Fukuoka City Education Center in Momochi, Sawara Ward. It’s conveniently located, just a 10-minute walk from the subway and bus terminal, and tuition and textbooks are free.

Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School is now accepting applications for students who wish to enroll. If you’re interested in applying, please contact the school by January 30^th, via phone or email. The phone number is (092-400-0751). You can call on weekdays between 2:00 PM and 9:15 PM.

You can find the school's website by searching for "Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School Student Recruitment." They are happy to take any questions or give advice as needed.

The email address is provided on the school’s website so feel free to send questions or inquiries via email.

【Kagami Biraki】

Happy New Year 2026!
We hope that Life in Fukuoka continues to be a helpful source of inspiration for you this year as well. Thank you for your continued support! 

As the New Year holidays come to an end, many of you are likely returning to work and getting back into your daily routines this week.
So I want to wish you all a healthy and smooth start to 2026!

One traditional New Year decoration in Japan is the kagami mochi—a pair of round rice cakes stacked together and offered to the gods or spirits. You’ll often see them displayed in homes as well as in various places around town.
This Sunday, January 11th, marks the event known as Kagami Biraki—literally, “opening the mirror.” It is the day to take down the kagami mochi and eat it, wishing for good health and safety in the new year.

When performing Kagami Biraki, it is considered bad luck to use a knife to cut the rice cakes, as it would imply severing ties or bringing misfortune. Instead, the mochi is broken using a wooden mallet or similar tool. Even the word “to break” (waru) is avoided due to its negative connotation, so the more auspicious word “to open” (hiraku) is used instead.

The mochi is called a “mirror” (kagami) because of its round shape, which resembles the ancient bronze mirrors once used in Japan. The two layers of mochi symbolize layers of good fortune and the wish for a harmonious, well-rounded year. Every part of the decoration carries a lucky meaning. The kagami mochi is believed to contain divine power, so eating it rather than discarding it is an important part of the ritual.

Because the mochi has dried and hardened, it’s difficult to eat as is. That’s why it’s typically prepared in dishes like ozoni (New Year soup), oshiruko (sweet red bean soup), or kaki mochi (toasted or fried rice crackers), while offering prayers for good health and household safety.

By understanding the meaning behind the kagami mochi, and enjoying it in a delicious dish, may we all draw strength from this tradition and spend the new year in good health and happiness.

【Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

nfant and Toddler Playgroup (“Yarana Hiroba”)

Would you like to come to a place where you can have fun together with your child?

At the Naraya Community Center in Hakata Ward, an infant and toddler playgroup, commonly called “Yarana Hiroba,” is held every month. It’s a space where parents and children can spend enjoyable time together.

The next session will be held on Tuesday, January 13^th from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

January's theme is “Sannō Kodomo Plaza: About Kindergartens and Nursery Schools.”
The lecture will be given by the Childrearing Support Concierge from the Hakata Ward Plaza.

The session will last about 15 minutes, followed by free space time for participants to mingle and play.

The talk will cover topics such as the differences between kindergartens and nursery schools, how to apply, and the general process leading up to enrollment.

After the lecture, participants will also have the opportunity to receive individual consultations from the Plaza Concierge.

For details and to sign up, please check the Fukuoka City International Foundation’s Facebook page.
They are looking forward to seeing you there!

Consultations on Immigration, Residency and Nationality Matters.

To continue, is there anything you don't understand about residency status and term of stay regulations? If there is, the Fukuoka City International Foundation provides free consultation on these matters to the international residents of Fukuoka City.

Consultations are held every second Sunday of the month. They are offered from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, but you must register by 3:30 PM. A gyousei-shoshi, or administrative lawyer will answer your questions and offer consultation.  

There are English and Chinese interpreters present, and so, consultation in English, Chinese and Japanese does not require a reservation. For other languages, please consult with the center at least two weeks in advance.  

Your confidentiality is guaranteed, so please feel at ease to use this service.

For more information, please call the toll free number (0120-66-1799). Phone calls will be accepted between 9am and 5:30pm on weekdays.