Life in Fukuoka "English"

【The Day of the Ox in the Midsummer】

In Japan, there is day on which the season changes called "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" , or The Day of the Ox in the Midsummer. On this day, there is a tradition of eating eel. The reason is that during this time, as we transition from the end of the rainy season to the full swing of summer, people feel like they want to shake off the fatigue the rainy season and heat bring and boost their appetite. Eel is supposed to have these benefits, so it's great for helping our bodies get a nutrition and energy boost.
People typically eat eel as "Kabayaki," which is grilled eel with a sauce made from soy sauce and sugar, or "Shirayaki," which is simply grilled over charcoal without any sauce. In addition to eel, foods starting with the letter "u". or rather the Japanese character for "u", are considered lucky to eat on the Day of the Ox. These include "udon" (thick wheat noodles), "umeboshi" (pickled plums), and "uri" which are gourds like cucumber and watermelon.
This year, the Day of the Ox falls on July 24th and August 5th. As we head into the height of summer, let's stay healthy by eating nutritious and delicious foods!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Fukuoka City Official Tourist Guide Site Information

Today, I'd like to give you a little information about the Fukuoka City International Tourist Guide, the global site for sightseeing in Fukuoka. This website shares information about the attractions of Fukuoka, including tourist facilities, events, area sightseeing, and gourmet food, effectively using videos and photos in four languages (English, Korean, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese) to really show what is so great about this city. You can search by categories such as gourmet, history and culture, nature and outdoor activities, or by specific areas, making it easy to find recommended information about the area you want to visit.
The site is packed with useful information not only for tourists but also for residents of Fukuoka to enjoy and get to know the city better.
Search for "Fukuoka City Official Tourist Guide" online to discover something new about the city!

Fukuoka City Child-Rearing Exchange Salons

To continue, I've got some information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation about a child-rearing exhange salon.
For those of you with children, wouldn't you like to visit a place where you can have fun with your children? At the Naraya Community Center in Hakata Ward, a monthly parenting exchange salon has begun. Every fourth Tuesday of the month, they hold an infant interaction class there where parents and children can have a great time together.
In July, the event will take place on the 23rd from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. The theme for July is "Parent-Child Exercise." A childcare worker will come and lead the parents and children in fun activities like dancing and other physical exercises.
For more information on how to apply and other details, please visit the Fukuoka City International
Foundation's website or Facebook page.

【Fireworks in Higashi Ward】

Golden Week begins this weekend, and many of you may have plans to go out. If you are you looking for something around the city for the first day of Golden Week, then I've got information for you for Saturday the 27th, when the "Fukuoka Higashi Ward Fireworks Festival" will be held.

The location is the sea above Kashiihama in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City, at the Mishima Green Bay Walk. Starting around 7:30 pm, approximately 7000 fireworks are scheduled to be launched. It's a fireworks festival that can be viewed from 360 degrees, anywhere.

And of course, festival stalls are an important part of these kind of events, aren't they? The stall locations for the festival are divided into three areas, and the ones that are especially recommended are in the "Island City Outer Green Space" area, which is close to the fireworks and has no obstructions, and in the "Kashiihama Central Park" area, which has a free viewing area, toilets, and many stalls. 

Stalls will also be set up near the paid seating area in "Kashiihama North Park," but it's expected to be very crowded. Keep in mind though that the full view of the fireworks cannot be seen from this area due to the highway, so the other two areas are actually recommended.

For access to the venue, "JR Chihaya Station" is the way to go. The route from "JR Kashiihama Station" might be crowded as you get close to "Aeon Mall Kashiihama" area and you might have to make a long detour around it. Therefore, it's recommended to get off at "JR Chihaya Station" and head towards the free viewing areas of "Kashiihama Central Park" and "Island City Outer Green Space." One other thing to remember is that there is no parking available specifically for the event, so public transportation is probably the easiest way to go. 

So, if you are in the city, go and enjoy the first fireworks of the year in Fukuoka and the beginning of Golden Week♪

【Special discount tickets for kids during Golden Week】

 I've got some information for you about children's discount tickets available during the Golden Week period.

First on the list is from "JR Kyushu". From Saturday April 27th to Monday, May 6th,  the "Kids' Adventure Ticket" will be on sale. It's a ticket that allows unlimited rides for one day on JR Kyushu's local and rapid trains for 100 yen. If you purchase a special express ticket in addition to it, you can also use it for the Shinkansen and special express trains. This ticket must be purchased by 11pm the day before you plan to travel. It cannot be bought on the day of use. Sales are available through "JR Kyushu Internet Train Reservation" and at  ticket vending machines for reserved seats at JR Kyushu stations.

Next is for the "Fukuoka City Subway". The subway is also offering a one-day pass called the "Elementary School Student 100 Yen Pass", allowing unlimited rides on all Fukuoka City Subway lines for 100 yen for one day. This can be purchased on the day at each station's ticket counter or at a customer service center.

Finally, the discount for "Nishitetsu Bus". For this, all routes of Nishitetsu's regular buses and express buses are only 50 yen per ride, regardless of the distance. Cash or nimoca can be used, and children should say  "I'm an elementary school student" to the driver when they get off the bus to receive the discounted fare.

All three tickets are aimed at "elementary school students", so it's a great chance for families with young school age children to get out and enjoy your outings in Fukuoka♪

【The Van Gogh Exhibition】
As I guess many of you know, Vincent van Gogh was a famous Dutch Impressionist painter and is now known as "father of modern art”. If you are a fan, or even if you are not, you have no doubt seen his work, including Starry Night and Sunflowers as they are often used or referenced even in modern culture. If you want to know more, or are in fact a fan of Van Gogh, you'll have the chance to immerse yourself in his work at the Digital Fine Art Exhibition and Moving Vincent Van Gogh, which are currently being held at the Fukuoka City Science Museum.

The "Digital Fine Art exhbition" is an exhibition of works using computer graphics technology, such as 3DCG animation and VFX (special effects), on the medium of fine art. It has already established itself as a genre of artistic expression in the United States, France, Australia, and other countries, and is gaining popularity.

This time, approximately 860 works by Van Gogh from around the world, painted during the 37 years of his life, are being visualized by the latest digital technology. This new world of Van Gogh's art, brought to life by digital technology as "paintings in motion," is a world of surprise and discovery. There will also be a planetarium program reproducing the starry skies from his masterpiece in addition to a number of other works. You can see all of this until June 16th at the Fukuoka City Science Museum, so go and enjoy art in a brand new way.

【Words from DJ Colleen on the 'new' life stage】

Well, next week is a new year in a sense! April is when many things start in Japan. In fact, some of our listeners might be stepping into a new environment from next week. Whether it's starting a new job, entering a new school and making new friends, enjoy it to the fullest. The only time you'll have it is now. I'm sure there will be a few bumps in the road, it takes time to adjust sometimes, but remember, these are only temporary and they're learning experiences. You don't have to go out and make a new you as we start this new period in life though. I think sometimes, myself included, we try to make these grand changes and sometimes they fall flat when they don't go as we'd envisioned. So go in as you are and be yourself and have a great every day. 
Let's be HAPPY in April and beyond with this program!

And, please feel free to send me an e-mail with any questions, messages, or requests, if you have the chance!

【International Women's Day】

Have you recently seen any mimosa flowers decorating the city streets? March 8th is "International Women's Day," a commemorative day established by the United Nations to celebrate and protect women's rights and honor the accomplishments they've achieved. It's celebrated worldwide.
Mimosa flowers symbolize International Women's Day. Blooming from February to March, heralding the end of the cold winter and the arrival of spring, in the language of flowers, the mimosa represents "gratitude" and it's also known as the "flower of happiness." The bright yellow vitamin color is cute and charming, making you feel cheerful just by looking at it!
Just like sending carnations on Mother's Day, how about expressing your gratitude on this year's International Women's Day by giving someone dear to you some mimosa flowers?

【Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

「Let's Build Our Town Together with UN Staff! 」Participants Wanted.
Now, I have some information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation to share with you. The Fukuoka City International Foundation will host a workshop on community building with staff from UN-Habitat Fukuoka Headquarters as instructors and are looking for participants.
The workshop, targeting elementary fourth graders to junior high school third graders, will take place on Saturday, March 23rd, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at Acros Fukuoka.
UN-Habitat Fukuoka Headquarters, engaged in projects related to "people's dwellings," is the only UN agency in Kyushu.
During the workshop, participants will become residents of Habitat Village and brainstorm reconstruction plans for a village heavily affected by heavy rainfall.
The workshop will be conducted in simple Japanese, so children of foreign nationalities are encouraged to participate. The foundation is looking forward to the participation of everyone interested in the global activities of the United Nations.
To continue, I have some information regarding consultation times at the Fukuoka City Consultation Support Center for Foreign Residents.

Consultation hours at the Fukuoka City Consultation Support Center for Foreign Residents.
The Fukuoka City Consulation Support Center for Foreign residents on the first floor of the Fukuoka City International center in Hakata Ward's Tenyamachi aims to address the questions and concerns of foreign residents. They provide consultations on various aspects of daily life, such as residence procedures, employment, healthcare, welfare, childbirth, childcare, and children's education, and also provide information and guidance to relevant agencies.
From April, general consultations are available from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM on weekdays, from Monday to Friday. The center offers face-to-face, telephone, and email consultations. For face to face or telephone consultations, interpretation services are available in 22 languages, including English.
The address for the center is 4-1 Tenyamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, and the telephone number is 0120-66-1799. You can also use LINE call through the Foundation's offical line account.
For more information, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation website.
The service is free, but you do need to make an appointment. To find out how to make an appointment, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation's homepage or its Facebook page. The website address is fcif.or.jp. If there is anything that you don't understand or if you still have questions, you can also contact 092-262-1744.

【Sake】

What is your drink of choice? I guess at this hour a lot of people are having a coffee or some tea, but how about later in the evening? A cold beer? A small glass of whisky? Well, have you ever had "sake"? Being here in Japan, the sky's the limit when it comes to the varieties of sake we can try. It can be enjoyed throughout the year, but winter is the season for making sake, and it's the time when new sake is released.
The main ingredients of sake are "rice, rice koji, and water," and its simple ingredients and as well as the techniques used to make it, determine its taste and quality. You can choose how you'd like to drink it, chilled, at room temperature or even warmed up. The alcohol content is typically around 15%.

In February, many sake breweries hold an event called "Kura-biraki" or a Sake Brewery Opening. During these times, you can sample the season's new sakes and tour the breweries.
There are currently 68 sake breweries in Fukuoka Prefecture, including Ishikura Shuzo, the only remaining sake brewery in the Hakata area that continues to make sake today. The eye-catching white-walled storehouse with brick chimneys was built in 1870, and is used as a restaurant, concert hall, and wedding venue. It is probably better known to people around the city as "Hakata Hyakunengura." There is also shop right on the premises, so you can pick up a bottle of your favorite sake while tasting it!
This year's sake brewery opening of "Hakata Hyakunengura" will be held for two days on February 29th (Thursday) and March 1st (Friday) from 2pm to 8pm. There will be plenty of sake for sale, including freshly squeezed new sake, a sake tasting corner, complimentary amazake (non-alcoholic), and food sales.
Why not take this opportunity to visit the brewery?

【Blue Bottle Coffee opens at Kego Shrine】

Now, I have some information about a new store opening, that might interest the coffee drinkers this morning.
In the heart of Tenjin, you'll find Kego Shrine, just next to Kego Park near Solaria Plaza. If you have been around the city for a few years, you probably noticed the renovation work going on around the shrine. It was two years ago, the shrine office underwent a major renovation, creating new space and a very cool building. In that space you'll now find the first Blue Bottle Coffee shop in Kyushu, on the first floor of the shrine office building!
Blue Bottle Coffee was founded in Oakland, USA, a sister city of Fukuoka, and operates under the belief that "a delicious coffee experience enriches life." They prioritize not only the coffee in the cup but also the experience surrounding coffee, including the space and the mugs, relentlessly pursuing deliciousness by offering specialty coffees.
Whether you choose to relax in the spacious, glass-walled interior or grab a takeout on your way back from visiting the shrine, it's open from 8 am to 8 pm. Be sure to visit for a delicious cup of coffee. Just look out for the blue bottle logo!

【Eho-Maki】

This Saturday,February 3 is Setsubun, the day before the beginning of spring in the old calendar in Japan.
The name literally means 'seasonal division. On this day, there is a traditional event to drive away evil spirits
and wish for good health and good fortune throughout the year." One thing people do for Setsubun is
"mamemaki" (bean-throwing), which you do while chanting"Oni wa soto - Fuku wa uchi" . This means “Ogre
go out, good fortune come in”. Another thing people do for good luck on this day, a more recent custom, is to
eat "ehoumaki" , so today I'll talk a little bit about this Ehou-maki.
Basically, “Ehoumaki" is a type of sushi roll. There are no rules regarding the ingredients to be used in the roll,
but it is said that egg , shrimp, sea eel, cucumber, shiitake mushroom, dried gourd, and sakuradenbu, a kind
of pink flaked fish egg, should be used as ingredients as they represent seven kinds of lucky charms.
However, you'll see “Ehoumaki” with lots of different fillings.
And although there aren't really rules about the filling, there are some rules about how to eat "ehoumaki".
The first rule is that one person must eat the whole entire roll by himself/herself. Ehoumaki is a sushi that rolls
in good fortune, so it must not be cut so that the karma or the good fortune isn't broken.
The second rule is that you have to eat it facing the direction that is considered auspicious for the year. This
year it is "East Northeast,”, so get your compass out and make sure you are facing the right way!
Finally, it is important that as you are eating it, you make a wish in your mind and continue eating silently until
you finish the roll. Don't let your luck escape by talking while you are eating!
Think you'll celebrate setsubun? You can buy beans for "mamemaki" at supermarkets and you can buy
ehoumaki in supermarkets and convenience stores if you don't want to make one. So give this little bit of
Japanese culture a try at home on February 3 and bring in some extra luck and fortune for the year.

【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, hypertension and heart attacks and are caused by a lack of regular exercise and by
nutritionally imbalanced diets. 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 cause
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. Taking your time
to eat, spending at least 20 minutes enjoying your meal, is suggested.
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 life-sustaining 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 those who do not have many opportunities to exercise, walk when shopping, use the
stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, or take other short breaks in your daily life to get about 10 minutes
more physical activity than you do now. It will go a long way toward your health.
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 a chance to take another look at your own daily life-style.

【Amaou Strawberries】

So, are you a fan of strawberries at all? If you are, January 15^th might be the day for you. January 15^th is Strawberry Day in Japan and it comes from a bit of word play as the words いい・いちご"  mean good and strawberry, but can also be understood as one and fifteen, or January 15^th.

Strawberries are eaten all over the world, but it seems Japan is the largest consumer of fresh strawberries, and it is said that more than half of the world's strawberries come from Japan, with about 300 varieties grown.

Actually, here in Fukuoka, strawberries are so famous that the prefecture ranks second in Japan in terms of production. Among the many varieties available in Fukuoka, "Amaou" is a brand-name strawberry grown only in Fukuoka. Named after the initial letters of its characteristics in Japanese which translate to, "red, round, large, and tasty," it is a very popular variety. They are in season this time of year and are extremely tasty, so please find some and try them.

Of course, eating them as they are is delicious, but in Japan, people often recommend eating them with condensed milk or as part of a Japanese-style confectionery called "Strawberry Daifuku," which is only available during this season.

For those who love strawberries and want to eat a lot of them, "strawberry picking" is also available at various locations in Fukuoka Prefecture. There are quite a few ways to enjoy strawberries here, like trying different kinds of strawberries as you pick and compare them, enjoying them as an all-you-can-eat type of picking, making your own strawberry recipes such as jam from ones you've bought, or just enjoying full strawberry dessert menus at a cafe.

It's the season for strawberries, so enjoy them to the fullest. Oh, and strawberries are sweetest at the tip, so start from the leafy end and eat them so that you can enjoy that sweetness at the end!
Please enjoy Fukuoka's strawberries this season.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Special Foreign Student Visit for Setsubun Grand Festival at Tochoji Temple

Setsubun is an annual event to drive away illnesses, disasters, and other bad things, and to wish for a healthy life. The custom of "Mamemaki" has been practiced since ancient times, in which beans are thrown to drive out the ogres which are considered the source of misfortune. The custom at this event is to say, "Fuku wa uchi, Oni wa soto” which means “Luck inside, Ogres Out!” to pray for good luck against misfortune.
 
Tochoji Temple in Hakata Ward holds the Setsubun Dai Matsuri or Grand Setsubun Festival on February 3 every year.

The temple is crowded with visitors every year, and the seven gods of good fortune, the deity Otafuku, and red ogres, and blue ogres make an exciting appearance to throw beans.

To promote this Setsubun festival, on Friday, January 19, international students living in Fukuoka will visit various locations in Fukuoka City dressed as the Seven Deities of Good Luck, and as the red and blue ogres, to throw beans and hopefully bring all of us luck. International students participate in this event every year for the purpose of experiencing Hakata's traditional festival as an opportunity for international exchange. The highlight of the event is the performance by international students dressed as demons at each bean-throwing site, such as at Fukuoka City Hall, and shops and hotels around the city.

Have you ever been to mame-maki, the bean-throwing ceremony? It's a fun and exciting way to experience a little bit of Japanese culture with the added bonus of bringing in good fortune for the year.

【Festa Do Brasil Fukuoka 2023】

Today, I've got some information for you on the "Festa do Brasil Fukuoka 2023," the largest
Brazilian festival in Kyushu. This festival will be held next Sunday, the 29th at at Bayside Place
Hakata! This event started with the residents of the city who love Brazil. They wanted to create
an opportunity to gather and share the charms of Brazil with the people of Fukuoka, as well as
introduce the businesses and artists thriving in Fukuoka.
This outdoor festival offers a chance to experience Brazil through stage shows, interactive
parades, delicious food, music, dance, and more. It will take place on Sunday, October 29th,
starting at 11 AM and go until 6 PM. The admission fee is only 1500 yen and it'll be a wonderful
chance to enjoy the passionate and joyful Brazilian culture through singing, dancing, and
savoring delicious food at this event in Fukuoka.
There is a website for the event, just look up festa do brasil in your favorite search engine. The　website, facebook page and instagram page should all come up.

https://festadobrasil.wixsite.com/festadobrasilfukuoka

【Fukuoka City Information】

The Creators 2023
This year, the "The Creators 2023" event will be on again. This event is where you can
experience creative entertainment, over two days on Saturday, October 21st and Sunday,
October 22nd. The event will take place at various locations, including the Fureai Plaza on the
west side of Fukuoka City Hall, Fukuoka City Science Museum, and Fukuoka City Art Museum.
Some of the content will also be available for online streaming to ensure that those who cannot
attend in person can still enjoy the event.
At the main venue, the Fureai Hiroba on the west side of Fukuoka City Hall, there will be a
music stage with impressive lighting and screens, screenings of audiovisual works, a fashion
show featuring local models, and interactive booths hosted by creative companies.
In addition, the Fukuoka City Science Museum will feature a digital art exhibition where you can
play with sound and visuals, as well as programming and workshop activities for children. The
Fukuoka City Art Museum will host a variety of film screenings and art-related workshops.
This two-day event offers a wide range of content, allowing you to experience the cutting-edge
entertainment and culture in the creative city of Fukuoka. The creators are looking forward to
welcoming you to these two days of excitement and exploration, so definitely check it out. 

https://the-creator.jp/

【Shinmai-New Rice】

Now that we're in October, the heat is finally starting to settle down, isn't it. It's a nice season and not just because of the weather. During this season in Japan, we have Minori no Aki, the Autumn harvest, expressing the abundance of grains, rice and fruits that get harvested this season. We've also got Shokuyoku no Aki, or the Autumn appetite. Have you heard of either of these expressions before?

Anyway, today, in line with the harvest, I'd like to introduce you to 'shinmai' (新米) the rice that is currently in season. Shinmai refers to rice that is harvested in the autumn and milled and packaged by December 31st of the same year. Shinmai has a plump texture and a strong sweetness and umami flavor.

Fukuoka boasts many delicious locally produced rice varieties. In Fukuoka City, rice cultivation is thriving in the nature-rich areas of Nishi Ward, Sawara Ward, and Higashi Ward and these areas are committed to safe, environmentally friendly cultivation practices.

One of the main varieties is 'Hinohikari,' representing Kyushu. It pairs excellently with any dish and is known for its firm, sticky texture. There are also varieties like 'Yumetsukushi,' which has a slightly sweet and tender texture, 'Minoritsukushi,' with a chewy and and easy texture, and Fukuoka's original variety 'Genkitsukushi,' which is delicious even when cold.

One rice dish to try this season is  'takikomi gohan,' a dish made with autumn flavors like sweet potatoes, chestnuts, and mushrooms mixed with rice. Savor the taste of autumn by enjoying Fukuoka's delicious rice.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Information about Autumn Covid Vaccinations

Now, I have some information for you from Fukuoka City about Covid-19 vaccinations.

Fukuoka City has been working toward making sure everyone who hopes to be vaccinated can do so with peace of mind.

This year as well, the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be available free of charge. Inoculation with a vaccine that is effective against the Omicron variant XBB.1.5, the current prevalent strain, is being carried out for all those who wish to receive it, aged six months and older.

When the inoculation coupon arrives, please visit the reservation site or call the vaccine call center to make a reservation. Unused vaccination tickets received earlier can also be used. If you have lost your vaccination ticket or have not received it, please contact the call center.

People who have recently relocated to Fukuoka City from overseas and who hope to get vaccinated need to fill out an application to receive the inoculation tickets.

For inquiries about vaccine consultation, reservations, and vaccination ticket issuance in Fukuoka City, you can contact the call center at 092-260-8405. Calls will be taken every day from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and support is provided in  in seven foreign languages, including English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Nepali.

The Asia Pacific City Summit PR Event (Asia Pacific with SDGs)

Finally, I'd like to share some information on an event being held this coming weekend. On Saturday, October 7th, the 'Kankyo Festival Fukuoka 2023', roughly translated to the Fukuoka Environmental Festival will be held. This marks the 20th edition of the festival, and it will take place at three locations: the first floor of Solaria Plaza, Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Lion Hiroba, and Maizuru Park.

At the Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Lion Hiroba, the theme will be 'Let's Enjoy Learning about SDGs and the Asia-Pacific Region.' The event will feature an exhibition of drawings by children from the Asia-Pacific region, quizzes with English elements, touch games utilizing digital technology, and other activities to make learning about SDGs fun.

No advance registration is required to participate in this event.

For more details, please visit the website by searching for 'Kankyo Festival Fukuoka' or 'Asia-Pacific City Summit'.