Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival)】

March 3rd is Hinamatsuri, a traditional Japanese celebration that has been observed for centuries. Families decorate their homes with ornamental dolls known as hina dolls, and offer peach blossoms and diamond-shaped hishimochi rice cakes in beautiful shades of pink, white, and green.

This festival carries wishes for the good health and happy growth of girls. Traditionally, families and relatives gather around special Hinamatsuri dishes to celebrate together, passing down this custom from generation to generation.

Typical Hinamatsuri foods include colorful chirashi-zushi (scattered sushi), hamaguri clam soup which is considered auspicious, and hina-arare rice crackers. In addition, spring-themed sweets such as sakura mochi and strawberry cake add a festive, seasonal touch to the celebration.

In recent years, changes in family structure and lifestyle have led to an increase in households that do not display hina dolls. Even so, Hinamatsuri remains an important tradition in Japan. Today, it is not only a way to preserve cultural customs, but also an important opportunity for family communication and bonding.

And as technology advances and lifestyles diversify, hina dolls themselves have evolved. Compact, space-saving sets and dolls with modern designs have become increasingly popular, offering a wide range of choices. 

While the form may change, the heartfelt wish for girls’ health and happiness remains the same, now as in the past. Hinamatsuri can be seen as a Japanese cultural tradition where the old and the new blend gently together and are passed on to future generations.

Recently, Hinamatsuri has expanded beyond households with young girls. Many communities now host events where traditional hina displays are opened to the public for everyone to enjoy. In Fukuoka Prefecture as well, visitors can experience a variety of Hinamatsuri celebrations, each reflecting the unique character of its local area.

Hinamatsuri offers an early glimpse of spring. So why not enjoy it alongside seasonal flavors and a stroll around town, and welcome the coming of a new season?

 

 

【Kawazu Zakura】

To continue, I'd like to ask: have you heard of Kawazu-zakura, an early-blooming variety of cherry blossom that begins to flower in early February? Unlike Somei-yoshino, the pale-pink cherry blossoms most commonly associated with spring in Japan, Kawazu-zakura are known for their deep pink, large blossoms. Another of their charms is their long blooming period, which is for about one full month, much earlier and longer than typical cherry blossoms.

When it comes to recommended spots in Fukuoka City to enjoy Kawazu-zakura, one of the first places to visit is Kushida Shrine. Known as the guardian shrine of Hakata and famous for the Hakata Gion Yamakasa, Kushida Shrine offers a chance to enjoy these blossoms in a setting rich with history.

You can also see Kawazu-zakura at Kego Shrine, a local guardian shrine located in the heart of Tenjin. Both spots allow visitors to feel the arrival of spring while staying right in the city center.

For those willing to venture a little farther, Miyajidake Shrine in Fukutsu City is another excellent choice. Known for the famous “Path of Light,” the shrine is home to Kawazu-zakura often referred to as Kaiun-zakura (Good-Fortune Cherry Blossoms). As spring approaches, the area becomes lively with many visitors and worshippers.

Even amid the lingering cold, Kawazu-zakura offer a gentle hint of spring. Why not enjoy Japan’s changing seasons by pairing a stroll around town or a short outing with a visit to these early cherry blossoms?

【Please Cooperate with Water Conservation】

Since last autumn, there has been very little rainfall in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Rainfall in the area where Kyushu's largest river, the Chikugo River, is located, has been the lowest in the past 50 years, according to observations.
As a result, the water storage level of the dams connected to the Chikugo River continues to decline.

About one-third of the tap water used in Fukuoka City comes from the Chikugo River. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure water from the river as we have in the past.
The forecast for the coming month also predicts less rainfall than usual.
If this dry weather continues, Fukuoka City will face a very serious water shortage.

For this reason, Fukuoka City is continuing efforts to conserve limited water resources and avoid waste.
It is said that if every citizen of Fukuoka saves just one bucket of water per day, the city can conserve approximately 6 million cubic meters of water over the course of a year.

So, let’s all be mindful and do our part to conserve water.

 

 

【Fukuoka City Information】

Filing City and Prefectural Taxes

I'm pretty sure that most of you have received your tax forms to file in Reiwa 8, they were sent by post from Fukuoka City. 

The deadline for filing is Monday, March 16th. The tax department of the ward office will accept your tax return from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, however the counters there may be crowded so please send your tax returns by mail or by internet. 

Those who are required to file Fukuoka City taxes include anyone who has lived in Fukuoka City since the first of January 2026 and had income in 2025. Those who submitted a final tax declaration to the tax authorities or those who only received a salaried income whose company filed year end adjustments  do not need to file a tax return. 

When filing, you need your My Number card or a document that shows your number and a driver's license, passport or resident card to show proof of identity. 

Documents, such as withholding slips that show your income from 2025 and any documents for deductions made during 2025 are also necessary.

For information on what documents are needed and anything else about filing your taxes, please visit your local ward offices website. If there is anything that you don't understand, please use the telephone translation hotline to call the ward offices. The hotline supports 25 languages including English , Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Nepali. The number is 092-753-6113. 

That phone number is for a interpretation center, so after speaking to a representative you will be connected to your local ward office. Make sure you tell them which ward you live in and that you want help with filing taxes. If you go to your ward office in person, you can also use your phone and this service to help you with interpretation, so don't hesitate to use it!

"Blue Ticket” System for Bicycle Violations Starting in April

To continue, I'd like to share some changes coming to traffic violations regarding bicycles. 

In Japan, bicycles are considered "vehicles" and are subject to traffic regulations.

Starting in April 2026, a blue ticket (fine) system will be applied to bicycle traffic violations for riders aged 16 and older.

There are 113 types of violations that may be subject to fines. Among them, the following are especially important to watch out for:

Ignoring traffic signals

Using a smartphone while riding

Riding without lights at night

Riding against traffic

Riding on sidewalks

Riding side by side

Using earphones or headphones

Holding an umbrella while riding

Riding on the right side of the road

Entering prohibited areas

Not stopping at stop signs

In addition, it's important to never ride under the influence of alcohol.
Any of these traffic violations can lead to accidents and injuries.

To use bicycles safely and comfortably, please review the traffic rules and make a conscious effort not to violate them.

【Taiwan Festival in Fukuoka】

Currently, the Taiwan Festival in Fukuoka is being held at the Fureai Plaza on the west side of Fukuoka City Hall.

In Taiwan, the Lunar New Year—its biggest annual celebration—begins this year on Saturday, February 14 and continues through Sunday, February 22, with a 9-day holiday period. To coincide with this festive season, Taiwan’s Lunar New Year is coming to Fukuoka!

The Taiwan Festival is an exchange event held under the theme “Taiwan Night Market 365 Days a Year in Japan,” allowing visitors to experience Taiwan through various regional night market foods and more. This year, the festival is being held in collaboration with Tainan City, an ancient city in southern Taiwan, showcasing its unique food, culture, and charm.

At the Taiwan Festival in Fukuoka 2026, the event titled Spring Festival Tainan Lantern Festival lets you enjoy the lively atmosphere of Taiwan’s Lunar New Year and the dazzling world of Tainan’s Lantern Festival—right here in Fukuoka, like a special journey through Tainan.

At the venue, alongside classic Taiwanese street foods such as juicy xiao long bao and the massive fried chicken da ji pai, visitors can enjoy local Tainan dishes like Tainan danzai noodles topped with minced meat. Local chefs prepare these dishes on-site, offering an authentic taste of Taiwan—perfect for those who’ve been to Taiwan and those who haven’t!

The space itself also evokes the feel of Taiwan. As night falls, the venue transforms into a festive celebration filled with the vibrant lights of Lunar New Year. Uniquely designed Tainan lanterns, some painted and others shaped like dragons, light up the area, creating a surreal experience that feels like traveling through Taiwan without leaving Japan—a truly photogenic moment!

So, once again the Taiwan Festival in Fukuoka 2026 – Spring Festival Tainan Lantern Festival is currently underway. It is being held at the Fureai Plaza on the west side of Fukuoka City Hall, right in the heart of Tenjin, and runs through Monday, February 23. On weekdays, the event is open from 12:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and on weekends and holidays from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

This is a rare opportunity to experience authentic Taiwanese culture. Don’t miss it!

 

 

【Information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation】

Children's Workshop

The Fukuoka City International Foundation will host a workshop for children on Sunday March 1st from 10am to 12pm. The target participants are elementary school students from 1st to 6th grade. 

This workshop will be held at the Fukuoka City International Center, on the 4th floor, in Conference Room 1 and will be conducted in simple Japanese.

During this workshop, children will make three cute handmade items while learning how people from different countries experience the arrival of spring.
The event is free, but advance registration is required.
For details and to apply, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation website [www.fcif.or.jp] and check the “Latest News” section.

You Can Now Use LINE Call for Consultations!

To continue, did you know that through the Fukuoka City International Foundation’s official LINE account, you can now make inquiries via LINE Call about general daily life consultations or reservations for free expert consultations?
Telephone interpreting is also available, allowing support in multiple languages.

You can also receive updates about the foundation’s events and information for foreign residents.
Please add the Fukuoka City International Foundation as a friend via their website! However, please note that chat messages are not supported.
If you prefer to consult via text, please use the contact form on the foundation’s website.

【Rakugo in English ”イングリッシュ de 落語”】

This Saturday, the much-acclaimed “English Rakugo” returns to Tenjin!

Have you heard of “English Rakugo”?

Rakugo is a traditional Japanese storytelling art that dates back to the Edo period. A single storyteller, or rakugoka, performs multiple characters and brings an imaginative world to life. “English Rakugo” retains the essence of classic Rakugo while expressing it in English, stimulating the imagination beyond language barriers. It’s gaining attention as a form of universal entertainment that everyone—Japanese speakers and non-Japanese speakers alike—can laugh at and enjoy together.

Originally performed in 2024, English de Rakugo—led by two rakugo performers, Tatekawa Shinohachi and Shinoharu—received great acclaim as a unique opportunity to experience Japanese culture through English. Whether you’re a longtime fan of rakugo or completely new to it, you can laugh together in the same space! It’s a shared comedy experience that transcends both borders and language.

English de Rakugo with Tatekawa Shinohachi and Shinoharu will take place this Saturday, the 7th, starting at 3:00 PM. The venue is Resola Hall, right in the heart of Tenjin, just steps away from the LOVE FM studio. All seats are unreserved and tickets are ¥2,000. Student discounts are also available.

For more information, please check the LOVE FM website.

I went to the first volume in 2024 and enjoyed it so much that I'm planning to go this time too!

Wouldn’t you like to experience this new form of entertainment—where laughter, English, and traditional arts come together? If you have the chance, take this opportunity to enjoy Japan’s traditional “sit-down comedy”: Rakugo!

 

 

 

【Fukuoka City Information】

Lifestyle Related Disease Prevention Month

February is Life-style related disease prevention month. 

These are diseases that develop due to, as you may have guessed, our life-style. Life-style related diseases include diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and heart attacks and are caused by poor nutrition, a lack of regular exercise and insufficient sleep. Smoking, excessive drinking and stress can also cause life-style related diseases. 

To maintain a healthy life-style, balanced and appropriately portioned meals, three times a day at regular times, is key.  Constantly eating nutritionally unbalanced foods, like instant meals or greasy foods, can lead to obesity and diabetes. They also say that chewing your food properly is important in a healthy diet as it will reduce the burden on your digestive system and strengthen the muscles around the mouth. Take your time to eat, aim to spend at least 20 minutes enjoying your meal. 

Regular exercise is also important as the loss of muscle mass due to a lack of exercise will affect your basal metabolic rate, which is the number of calories you burn as your body performs basic functions. If this rate decreases, it's more likely you'll gain weight.  So make time to exercise to maintain your muscle strength and mass. For people who don’t exercise much, try walking to the store instead of driving, using stairs instead of elevators or escalators, and adding about 10 more minutes of physical activity to your daily routine by taking advantage of small opportunities throughout the day. 

Sleep is also essential to your health. It plays an important role in our health as it allows us to get rid of mental and physical fatigue and boosts our immunity. But to maintain our immunity, it's important that we are getting enough sleep and that our sleep is good quality sleep. Avoid using your smartphone, watching TV, or consuming caffeine or alcohol before going to bed, as these will reduce the quality of your sleep.  Instead, find another way to relax, perhaps by taking a bath before bed, or doing whatever is it you like to do to relax. It's important to live a stress-free life. Perhaps this is an opportunity to reflect on and improve your daily habits.