Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Kitazaki Watermelons】

Sweet and delicious Kitazaki watermelons are now in season. They are grown in the Kitazaki area of Nishi Ward, the only watermelon-producing area within Fukuoka City.

There are only three farms producing Kitazaki watermelons, and most of the crop is consumed within Fukuoka Prefecture. As a result, they are rarely available outside the prefecture. 

What makes them particularly special is their sweetness. While ordinary watermelons usually have a sugar content of around 10 to 12 degrees on the Brix sweetness scale, Kitazaki watermelons reach approximately 13 degrees. With the first bite, you can enjoy their crisp, juicy texture and surprisingly rich sweetness. They are sweet right up to the rind, which also means there is plenty of fruit to enjoy.

Many fans look forward to their arrival every year, saying that once you have tasted one, you never forget it. They are truly a hidden local delicacy.

When choosing a whole watermelon, look for one with dark green skin and when buying a cut watermelon, it is recommended to choose one with deep-coloured flesh.

Thanks to favourable weather, this year’s harvest has been plentiful. Kitazaki watermelons will be available until around mid-August at JA farmers’ markets, supermarkets, and other stores.

These wonderfully sweet and delicious watermelons are well worth looking out for, especially if you are a watermelon lover.

 

 

【MLB Breakfast Club】

Next, I want to share information about a morning event taking place in Tenjin.

The MLB Breakfast Club in Fukuoka, where visitors can enjoy breakfast while watching Major League Baseball games on large screens, has now begun in central Fukuoka.

The event offers breakfast favourites such as hot dogs and croissants alongside live MLB action.

Many Major League Baseball games are played during the morning in Japan because of the time difference. With this in mind, the event was launched this year to help people start their day with energy by enjoying breakfast while watching Japanese players compete in the major leagues.

The event was held in Tokyo from March through May, followed by Iwate Prefecture in June. Iwate has produced several Japanese MLB stars, including Shohei Ohtani, pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, and pitcher Roki Sasaki. Fukuoka is the third location to host the event.

Screens at the venue will mainly show games featuring teams with Japanese players. Food trucks at the venue will offer four varieties of hot dogs inspired by flavours popular at American baseball stadiums. Other choices include a morning plate with a croissant and bacon, as well as Cajun chicken over rice, a popular American-style dish. There will also be a special local item: the mentaiko hot dog, featuring Fukuoka’s famous spicy cod roe.

The event will run from this week, beginning today the 27th, through August 16th. It will be held in front of the Fukuoka City Tourist Information Centre at the Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Lion Square in Tenjin.

Opening hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekends and national holidays.

The MLB Breakfast Club offers a new way to start the day by enjoying breakfast together with some of the world’s best baseball. Why not stop by and experience it for yourself?

【IRIE MUSIC with JIM BEAM SUMMER FES】

This weekend, LOVE FM’s reggae program, IRIE MUSIC, will hold a special outdoor music festival.

Broadcast every Saturday morning from 8:00, IRIE MUSIC is a program dedicated entirely to reggae. Its hugely popular annual outdoor festival returns again this year for three days in the heart of Tenjin.

The venue will be filled with laid-back sounds, including reggae, hip-hop, and traditional Okinawan music. Admission is free, and everyone can enjoy the event, from people who are new to reggae to longtime fans.

The festival will take place over three days, from this Friday, the 24th, through Sunday, the 26th.

On Friday, the music starts at 4:00 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, it begins at 11:00 a.m., so you can enjoy live music throughout the day and into the evening.

The venue is Tenjin Central Park, located just a short walk from Tenjin Station.

Admission is free.

And of course, no festival would be complete without plenty of delicious food. Popular local restaurants and carefully selected food vendors from across Kyushu will gather at the venue where you can enjoy their dishes together with ice-cold drinks.

With live performances by an exciting lineup of artists, delicious food, refreshing drinks, and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, come and make one of your best memories of the summer at the IRIE MUSIC with JIM BEAM SUMMER FES!

 

 

【Fukuoka City Information】

Bicycle Rules and Etiquette

I'm sure like me, many people regularly ride bicycles, but are you familiar with the rules and proper cycling etiquette in Japan?

As a general rule, bicycles must be ridden on the left side of the road.

Pedestrians have priority on sidewalks. When cycling on a sidewalk, ride slowly on the side closest to the road.

Everyone who rides a bicycle is encouraged to wear a helmet and at night, you must turn on your bicycle light.

Riding with a passenger or riding side by side with another cyclist is prohibited. In addition, you must not ride while holding an umbrella, using a mobile phone, or listening to headphones at a high volume.

Cycling under the influence of alcohol is also strictly prohibited.

These are all considered bicycle traffic violations, and cyclists aged 16 or older may receive a fine under Japan’s bicycle traffic penalty system, commonly known as the “blue ticket” system. 

When parking your bicycle, make sure you always park your bicycle in a designated bicycle parking area. Bicycles parked on roads or in other undesignated places may obstruct pedestrians or cause inconvenience, so they may be removed as illegally parked bicycles.

In Fukuoka City, it costs 2,500 yen to have a removed bicycle returned. If it is not collected within a certain period, it will be disposed of.

There are bicycle parking areas near shopping facilities and train stations where short-term parking may be free, so please make use of them.

One more thing to remember is that anyone who rides a bicycle in Fukuoka City is required to have bicycle insurance.

If you cause an accident while riding a bicycle, you may have to pay a large amount of compensation to the other person. Bicycle insurance can cover expenses on your behalf, such as medical costs, if you injure someone while cycling, so please make sure you have bicycle insurance in case of an unexpected accident.

Bicycles are a convenient and environmentally friendly way to get around, so let’s all help keep the roads safe by following the rules and showing consideration for others. 

【Agapanthus Black Jack】

Did you see the Agapanthus Black Jack at the Fukuoka Flower Show? General sales of this flower have now begun in Fukuoka City. Apparently, this variety was unveiled in Japan for the first time at the Fukuoka Flower Show, which was held by Fukuoka City in March last year. It was also selected as the very first “Feature Flower.”

“Feature Flowers” are chosen from among highly acclaimed new varieties from around the world. They are flowers that are easy to grow, blend naturally into city scenery and people’s daily lives, and have the potential to become future flower trends.

Agapanthus Black Jack won the top award in the plant variety category at the Chelsea Flower Show 2023, one of the world’s most prestigious international flower shows.

This variety is known for its unique beauty, with clusters of small, deep black-purple flowers. It also has a long flowering season and can be enjoyed from early summer throughout much of the summer.

Another advantage is that it is highly resistant to heat and dry conditions, making it relatively easy to grow even during Japan’s hot summer weather.

This rare new variety, which has received high praise around the world, can now finally be purchased at garden centres and other retailers, around one year after it was first introduced in Japan.

Why not try growing it yourself as a striking new feature for your garden or balcony?

If you didn't have a chance to see the flowers during the flower show and want to see them for yourself, the Agapanthus Black Jack has also been planted at the Fukuoka City Botanical Garden and Maizuru Park.

When you go for a visit, keep an eye out for the beautiful, deep black-purple flowers of the  Black Jack.

 

 

【Fukuoka City Information】

Please Take Care to Avoid Heatstroke

Heatstroke occurs when the body fails to regulate its temperature properly due to heat and intense physical activity, leading to an imbalance of body fluids and electrolytes. Symptoms of heatstroke include headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea.

If you are feeling these symptoms, and unable to drink water on your own, or if cooling your body and replenishing fluids and electrolytes does not lead to recovery, please call emergency services at 119 and request an ambulance. Particularly from July onwards, as the temperatures start to rise after the end of the rainy season, there is a rapid increase in heatstroke-related emergency transport cases. During this period, be cautious as the humidity is high and your body may not be acclimated to the heat.

Heatstroke can happen not only outdoors but also indoors, so caution is necessary. Here are some tips for preventing heatstroke:

Stay hydrated by drinking fluids regularly. You should drink things like barley tea or water during normal daily activities, and  rehydration drinks or sports drinks when engaging in physical exercise. Replenish both fluids and electrolytes when you sweat.

Wear a hat and use a parasol to avoid direct sunlight.

Use air conditioning and fans effectively to keep the room temperature below 28 degrees Celsius.

Use cooling items such as cooling sheets or ice pillows.

Finally, maintain your physical condition by eating well-balanced meals and getting enough sleep. Stay safe and cool this summer. 

【HAKATA FISH PROJECT】

Fukuoka is known as a city where you can enjoy excellent seafood. Fresh catches from all over Kyushu are brought into the Nagahama Fish Market every day, and the city is home to countless restaurants serving delicious seafood.

To encourage more people to enjoy local seafood, Fukuoka City is currently holding a seafood promotion campaign called the HAKATA FISH PROJECT. The campaign showcases the freshest seasonal seafood from the Genkai Sea and the Nagahama Fish Market, giving visitors the chance to experience outstanding freshness and the best flavors of the season.

The current theme is "Enjoy the Best Fish in Hakata Right Now," and the first event is the Squid Fair. Squid is one of Fukuoka's signature early summer delicacies, prized for its firm texture, which is so smooth that soy sauce won't stick, and its rich, natural sweetness.

This first round with the Squid Fair runs until July 19.

You can find information about participating restaurants throughout Fukuoka City on the HAKATA FISH PROJECT Instagram page.

Later in the year, the project will also feature fairs celebrating sea bream, yellowtail, and Spanish mackerel.

Why not take this opportunity to discover the clean, delicate flavors of Fukuoka's fresh seafood and enjoy some of the finest fish the season has to offer?

🔎https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/nosui/suisanshinko/charm/documents/ikafair.pdf

🔎https://www.instagram.com/hakata_fish_project/

 

 

【Information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation】

School Enrollment and Educational Path Consultation Session For Children with Foreign Backgrounds

The Fukuoka City International Foundation, together with the Fukuoka Tomoni Ikiru Machi Association (NPO), Fukuoka YWCA, and the Fukuoka International Citizens Association, will hold an educational and career guidance session for children with foreign backgrounds. 

At this consultation session, parents and children can receive advice on education and future schooling options for children with foreign backgrounds, from preschool age through high school.

Immigration and residency consultations will also be available with representatives from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and certified administrative scriveners (gyoseishoshi).

Consultations are available in Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Nepali and are completely free of charge. 

The event will be held on Saturday, July 11, starting at 1:00 p.m and will be held at the Fukuoka City International Center in Tenyamachi, Hakata Ward.

For reservations and inquiries, please visit the website of the Fukuoka Tomoni Ikiru Machi Association (NPO).

🔎https://www.fcif.or.jp/latestnews/consultation/schoolguidance/

 

 

Consultations on Immigration, Residency, and Nationality for Foreign Residents

To continue, is there anything you don't understand about residency status, term of stay regulations or other immigration-related matters? 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 foundation 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.

🔎https://www.fcif.or.jp/consultation/immigration/