Life in Fukuoka "English"

【"Live@Museum" Fukuoka Asian Art Museum】

What are you doing on Friday night? Why not enjoy live music at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum this  season?

This year's  Live@Museum has started again. Every Friday night from 6:30 p.m. through March 2027, mini live performances will be held at the Art Café on the 7th floor of the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, featuring a variety of genres including Asian and Japanese music, dance, and traditional performing arts.

At the museum café inside the venue, you can enjoy original blend coffee as well as alcoholic drinks such as craft beer, so you can watch the performances with a drink in hand. Set in an open space with high ceilings and surrounded by art, you can enjoy a truly unique live music experience. 

In addition, on Friday nights the museum is open until 8:00 p.m., so after enjoying the live performance, it’s also recommended to spend time in the gallery and immerse yourself in art.

Once again, Live@Museum takes place every Friday from 6:30 p.m. at the Art Café on the 7th floor of the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, with free live music performances, so be sure  to stop by and enjoy a wonderful night out.

【"The Great Dinosaur Exhibition" Fukuoka City Museum】

To continue, I'd like to introduce the special exhibition currently being held at the Fukuoka City Museum, “The Great Dinosaur Exhibition – Exploring the Evolution of Theropods from Fukui.”

This special exhibition is organized with the full cooperation of the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, known as one of the world’s three major dinosaur museums and a popular destination for dinosaur fans from across Japan.

The theme focuses on theropods, some of the most popular dinosaurs, including Fukuiraptor and Fukui Venator, as well as the Spinosauridae family, which still holds many mysteries. The exhibition traces their evolutionary lineages based on the latest research findings.

In addition, a life-size Spinosaurus robot, approximately 15 meters in length, is on display, recreating a dynamic swimming pose. Its realistic movements—eyes, mouth, and neck—make it seem as if the dinosaur is alive.

During the exhibition period, there are also talk events, painting workshops, figure scooping activities, and dinosaur merchandise available.

The special exhibition “The Great Dinosaur Exhibition – Exploring the Evolution of Theropods from Fukui” is currently being held at the Fukuoka City Museum until June 28.
This is a rare opportunity to see dinosaur exhibits that are usually only available in Fukui, right here in Fukuoka. If you love dinosaurs, be sure to check it out!

【Hakata Dontaku Port Festival】

And finally, let me introduce the Hakata Dontaku Port Festival. When it comes to Golden Week in Fukuoka, this is the festival for Fukuoka residents. As one of the city’s largest events, where you can feel Hakata’s history, culture, and vibrant energy, it attracts not only locals but also many visitors from across Japan and overseas, drawing more than two million people each year.

With a history of over 840 years, this festival features lively parades where participants dressed in colorful costumes dance through the streets while carrying “shamoji” rice paddles. Another highlight is the “hana-jidosha,” large vehicles decorated with characters and elaborate designs. In the finale, spectators can even join in, dancing and clapping their shamoji together, as the entire city comes alive in a festive atmosphere.

The festival will be held over two days, on Sunday, May 3, and Monday, May 4.
This Golden Week, be sure to experience the culture and energy of Fukuoka at the Hakata Dontaku Port Festival

【Ramen Stadium】

Ramen Stadium has returned to Canal City Hakata, a large commercial complex in Fukuoka City.
Originally opened in 2001 as a collection of popular ramen shops from across Japan, Ramen Stadium was temporarily closed last year. With this renewal reopening, eight shops from Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Akita, and Osaka have joined, including some making their Kyushu debut and some returning brands. A wide variety of ramen is available, including tonkotsu, soy sauce, and miso.

In addition, so that you can enjoy different flavors, each shop offers mini ramen options, smaller than the regular size, making it easy to try and compare dishes from multiple shops.

Ramen Stadium is open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week. It is located on the 5th floor of Center Walk in Canal City Hakata. The newly redesigned storefronts are inspired by ramen bowls, and as you pass through the noren curtains, you can enjoy the steam, the sounds, and the appetizing aromas—engaging all five senses for a truly satisfying bowl.
Be sure to check it out!

【Information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation】

Consultations through Line Call

If you are connected to the Fukuoka City International Foundation's official Line Account, you can use Line Call to contact the center for advice on life here as well as to make reservations for the free professional consultation services that the Foundation provides.  Interpretation over the phone for a number of foreign languages is available. 

You can also sign up to get information on events or useful information for foreign residents of the city, so if you aren't already connected on Line, just go to the Fukuoka City International Foundation's homepage and click on Add Friend to get connected. 

However, be aware that you cannot send messages through the chat function. If you want to send a message regarding getting advice, then please look up the Fukuoka City International Foundation's homepage on the internet and fill out the help request form on their website. 

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 from the Fukuoka Bar Association. Free English interpretation services are also available so if you will need an interpreter, please mention that when you make your reservation. Please note that the legal consultation on Saturday, May 2, 2026, will not be held. 

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 to these consultations. Reservations will be taken from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM on weekdays. For detailed inquiries, please contact (0120-66-1799).

【NEPAL FESTIVAL FUKUOKA】

This weekend, on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, the multicultural exchange festival Nepal Festival Fukuoka 2026 will be held—connecting Fukuoka with the world.

Fukuoka City is one of the regions in Japan with a large Nepalese population. April 14 marks the Nepali New Year according to the Bikram calendar, and this festival is held to celebrate that occasion. It has become a popular annual event in Fukuoka.

There will be a variety of booths, including restaurant booths where you can enjoy authentic Nepalese and South Asian cuisine, stalls selling Nepalese goods and traditional clothing, and experience booths where you can try wearing a sari.
In addition, companies supporting foreign residents will also have PR booths.

On the main stage, there will be performances by famous Nepalese singers, as well as Hawaiian dance performances by a hula studio.

Once again, Nepal Festival Fukuoka 2026 will be held this weekend on April 18 and 19 at Tenjin Central Park. Admission is free. The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on both days.

Come and enjoy two days of experiencing Nepalese culture right here in Fukuoka, and celebrate the Nepali New Year together! 

【Fukuoka City Information】

Rules about putting out the garbage

There are a lot of people who are starting a new chapter in their lives this month and that does typically mean buying new things or getting rid of old things. Which brings us to garbage and the rules around garbage here. 

In Fukuoka City, garbage is separated into three types. There is burnable, nonburnable and plastic pet bottles and glass garbage. You can buy the bags for each type of garbage at convenience stores and supermarkets, so make sure you use the Fukuoka City garbage bags for throwing things out. 

The red bag is for burnable garbage. This is used for garbage like paper waste, food scraps, clothes and plastics. 

The blue bag is for nonburnable garbage which includes things like empty cans and glass or ceramics. 

And the yellow bag is for plastic pet bottles and glass bottles. 

The day on which garbage is picked up is specific to your neighborhood. Burnable garbage is picked up twice a week and nonburnable and glass bottles and plastic pet bottles are picked up once a month. 

Garbage is picked up late at night so garbage should be put out between sunset and midnight on your collection day in the designated location. 

If you need to find out when garbage is picked up in your neighborhood, you can do so by adding the official Fukuoka City LINE account to your friend's list. Set your location when you add the account and you will get notifications for the pickup day. 

And, if you type in the name of the garbage you want to throw out, the account will tell you which bag you should put it in, so it's a pretty handy service. 

If you can't fit something you want to throw out in one bag because it is too big, it is considered over-sized garbage and needs to be thrown out through a different process. For over-sized garbage, pick-up can be arranged if you contact the Fukuoka City Oversized Garbage center, or Sodai Gomi Uketsuke in Japanese, by phone, on the internet or through LINE. They will tell you how much it will cost to throw away the item, where to put it and on what day and time they will pick it up. 

If you decide to call the Oversized Garbage Center, you can call (092-731-1153). They have support for 23 different languages. There is also a QR code service that provides information on garbage disposal rules in 10 different languages. Just check the Fukuoka City website for that QR code. 

【Namaste Fukuoka】

This weekend, over two days on April 11 and 12, an event where you can experience Indian culture right here in Fukuoka, Namaste Fukuoka, will be held.

One of the largest festivals of its kind in Kyushu, Namaste Fukuoka introduces Indian culture through music, dance, and food. This year marks its 10th anniversary, making it a special edition with even more to enjoy.

The stage program will feature over 30 performances, including traditional Indian classical dance, Bollywood dance often seen in Indian films, performances on the traditional string instrument sitar, and live shows.

There will also be cultural experience programs where you can try morning yoga, henna art, and even experience wearing traditional Indian clothing such as a sari. And of course, one of the highlights is authentic Indian cuisine, with a wide variety of spice-rich dishes from both northern and southern India.

Once again, this event will take place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12, with the venue opening at 10:00 a.m. on both days.
It will be held at Tenjin Central Park, and admission is free.

Be sure to visit Namaste Fukuoka and enjoy this unique experience of Indian culture, food, and music all in one place!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Consultation Services for Foreign Residents

Are you experiencing any difficulties or have questions as you begin your new life?
At the Fukuoka City Foreign Residents General Consultation Support Center, you can receive guidance and information on a wide range of daily life matters, including residence procedures, employment, medical care, welfare, childbirth and childcare, and children’s education. If you’re not sure where to ask, they will help connect you to the appropriate service.

The phone number is (0120-66-1799).
Reception hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the service is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and during the New Year holidays.
Support is available in 24 languages.

If you would like to check procedures related to Fukuoka City—such as National Health Insurance, garbage disposal, or taxes—you can call the interpretation center and be connected to your local ward office for consultation.

The phone number is (092-753-6113).
Hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the service is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and during the New Year holidays.
Support is available for that in 23 languages.

In addition, when looking for medical institutions, speaking with a doctor at a hospital, or receiving medication at a hospital or pharmacy, you can use telephone interpreting services through the Fukuoka City Medical Interpreting Call Center.
Requests can be made not only by foreign residents but also by hospitals and pharmacies.

The phone number is (092-733-5429).
This service is available 24 hours a day, every day, and supports 20 languages.