Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Indian Festival in Fukuoka】

This weekend, one of Kyushu’s largest Indian festivals is coming to Fukuoka!

On March 22 and 23 (Saturday & Sunday), Holi Festival will take place at Tenjin Central Park. Holi is a traditional Indian festival that celebrates the arrival of spring. People greet each other with "Happy Holi" while smearing colored powders and splashing colored water to mark the occasion.

The event will bring together over 50 renowned vendors from across Japan, offering Indian cuisine, spices, vibrant handicrafts, and accessories. Visitors can indulge in authentic Indian curry and shop for unique goods.

The festival also features exciting stage performances, including Indian music, classical dance, and Bollywood dance—a style often seen in Indian film musicals. Expect to have an amazing time with special guest appearances by popular DJs, dancers, and influencers!

Admission is free!

Celebrate the colors and culture of India at this lively two-day festival and welcome spring in a truly unique way!

【Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

Consultations on Immigration, Residency and Nationality Matters.

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 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. 

Use Line Call for Consultations

And if you connect with the Foundation's official LINE account, you can make an appointment for consultations on daily life or free professional consultation using the LINE call feature. Telephone consultations are available in a number of foreign languages, so please feel free to contact them. In addition, you can get information on the Foundation's events and announcements from Fukuoka City, so please add the Foundation's official LINE account to your friends' list from the Fukuoka City International Foundation website. 

One thing to keep in mind though is that the foundation will not accept consultations via the Line chat feature.  So if you want advice via text rather than calling, please use the inquiry form on the foundation's website.

【Fukuoka Airport International Terminal Grand Opening】

After undergoing renovations since 2022, Fukuoka International Airport is now more convenient and
comfortable than ever. The Fukuoka Airport International Passenger Terminal is set to officially open on the 28th of this month! With the concept of “Easy, Fast, Fun,” the terminal has evolved into a more seamless and enjoyable space.
To ensure a smooth departure process, the security and immigration checkpoints have been expanded and relocated. The terminal will introduce "Smart Lanes", allowing up to four passengers, at the same time, to prepare for and proceed to security checks as soon as they are ready. Additionally, Kyushu’s first-ever "Priority Lane" will be introduced, enabling eligible travelers to go through security without waiting in line.
For those looking to enjoy their time before departure, the terminal now offers a duty-free shopping area four times larger than before and a brand-new food court featuring Fukuoka and Kyushu’s local cuisine. Travelers can enjoy regional flavors and immerse themselves in the local atmosphere right up until their flight.
As the gateway to Fukuoka, Kyushu, and western Japan, the newly upgraded Fukuoka Airport International Terminal is now more convenient and welcoming than ever. Be sure to check it out on your next trip!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Disposing of Garbage from Moving Home

I mentioned last week that it's moving season now that spring is here. That means that this time tends to be when we see a lot more oversized garbage and so I've got some information on how to use the Oversized Garbage Disposal Call Center.

The first way to do it is by applying for pickup with the Oversized Garbage Disposal Call Center. First, contact them by phone or by internet, or even through the Official Fukuoka City Line Account, to put in your application and then purchase the appropriate oversized garbage disposal ticket at the convenience store or other shops.
The garbage pickup day will be roughly one week after you apply. You must put out the garbage by 8:30am on the collection day in the designated spot.
The phone number for the Oversized Garbage Disposal Call Center is (092-731-1153). 
If you apply via the internet or Line, you can do so at your convenience, 24 hours a day. Look for that information on the official Fukuoka City homepage.
For TV's, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, clothes dryers and air conditioners, according to the home appliance recycling law, there are specific guidelines for disposal. You cannot dispose of them as oversized garbage or put them out in garbage bags.
You can have the old appliance removed by the firm installing the new one or you can contact the store where you originally bought the appliance. If you don't know where it was bought, you can also contact the Yamada Denki in your city about disposal. Recycling fees as well as fees for collection and transport will be required.

Citizen's Natural Disaster Prevention Day
To continue, I have one more announcement. This year is the 20th year since Fukuoka Prefecture was hit by the Seiho-Oki Earthquake and to keep this experience from being forgotten, Fukuoka City has designated March 20 as "Citizens' Disaster Prevention Day"
In recent years, major disasters such as earthquakes and heavy rain have occurred in many areas. We never know when a disaster will strike. In order for each of us to take appropriate actions when a disaster strikes, it is important to be prepared on a daily basis.
Please check the Fukuoka City website for hazard maps and information on disaster prevention, and again prepare and confirm what to take with you when you evacuate.

Let's take this "Citizens' Disaster Prevention Day" as an opportunity to think about disaster prevention for the safety of yourself, your family, and your community.

【Fukuoka Handmade & Zakka Festa】

Today, I have an exciting event recommendation for all handmade goods and craft lovers!
The Fukuoka Handmade & Zakka Festa will be held for two days this weekend, on Saturday, the 8th, and Sunday, the 9th, at the Fukuoka International Center!
This is one of the largest handmade and craft events in Kyushu, featuring approximately 660 booths from all over Japan. The venue will be packed with a wide variety of items, including handmade crafts, accessories, home decor, furniture, ceramics, gardening goods, and craft materials.
But that’s not all! Workshops will also be available, where visitors can experience making things by hand—great for both adults and children to enjoy together. Additionally, the event features a rest area, food stalls, and even outdoor kitchen cars, making it easy to spend the whole day exploring.
This year’s theme is “Ideas for a Comfortable Lifestyle”, so you might just find the perfect items to refresh your home or start a new lifestyle this spring. It's also a great chance to discover one-of-a-kind, unique handmade pieces!
Why not take a trip to the Fukuoka Handmade & Zakka Festa this weekend and enjoy a day filled with creativity and inspiration?

【Fukuoka City Information】

Avoiding the Rush When Moving House

March and April are busy months for moving house and as a result, the consultation desks at your local ward offices may be quite crowded. The period between March 21st and April 11th are especially busy with wait times of 2 to 3 hours, so if you can, try to avoid that period.
However, that's not always possible,and if you find that you're too busy on weekdays to submit the notification of your move to the ward office, then you'll be glad to know that there are several weekend days when the offices are open for paperwork related to moving in or out of the city.
On Sunday the 30th of March and Sunday the 6th of April, Fukuoka City ward offices and their branches will be temporarily opened from 9am to 1pm to take paperwork in regards to moving in or out of the city.
There is an also an oline service available to make reservations with the ward office to take care of moving procedures. Reservations can even be done via a smartphone but must be made by 8:30 am, 5 business days before your desired date. You just need to send the date you want to go in, and information about your address change. With this system, an appointment can be easily arranged and the process at the consultation desk will take less time.
If you are moving out of Fukuoka City, you do not have to go to the ward office to report your move-out. You can do so by mail or online if you have your My Number Card. However, please note that if you're moving out of the country, you can't submit your notification online, so please be aware of that.
If you are moving within Fukuoka city you do not need the notification of the move out of your previous residence, you just need to submit notification that you have moved into your new residence.
If you have any questions, you can check with the ward office using a telephone interpreter.
The telephone number is (092-753-6113).
Tell them what ward you are living in and that you would like to discuss moving procedures.
One more process that you should remember when moving is making sure you call to have your water turned on or turned off. You will need to have the notification of your move for this. Please call at least 4 business days before you move to arrange this. The phone number for that is (092-532-1010). Phone calls will be accepted in languages other than Japanese. This process can also be done online. Just search for the Fukuoka City official website for this.

【Eki-ben (Train Station Bento)】

Have you ever tried an eki-ben (駅弁)? Eki-ben refers to bento boxes sold at train stations or onboard trains, often full of  local specialties and delicacies from the area. These bentos, using ingredients from the region, are a reflection of the area's culture, history, and flavors and shows off the diversity of Japan's culinary culture. 

There are a wide variety of eki-ben available at train stations across Japan. From luxurious options featuring fresh seafood or wagyu beef to bentos showcasing regional dishes or collaborations with famous restaurants, the choices are endless. Recently, some eki-ben even include self-heating features, allowing you to enjoy a warm meal while on your train trip.

Eki-ben, are of course, difficult to sample unless you visit the region where they're from, but  from Wednesday, February 26, to Tuesday, March 4, those ekiben will be in one place for you to try them! The "National Famous Eki-ben and Delicious Foods Competition” will be held at Hakata Hankyu that week, bringing together more than 100 varieties of eki-ben, packed with the flavors of their local regions. 

In addition to eki-ben, the event will feature local specialties from across Japan, ranging from gourmet dishes to sweets. Don’t miss the chance to experience the tastes of Japan and enjoy the feeling of traveling through its regions!

【New Spots in Tenjin-"Solaria Daigamen" and "Hulic Square Fukuoka Tenjin"】

To continue, I'd like to introduce some exciting new spots in Fukuoka’s Tenjin area.

First up is SOLARIA DAIGAMEN. The large screen at the Stage Plaza on the first floor of the Solaria Stage Building, a landmark and popular meeting spot in Tenjin, has undergone a major transformation this month. The new screen is massive—8 meters wide and 9 meters tall, making it nine times larger than the previous version.

To celebrate its renewal, the screen is currently featuring a limited-time collaboration with the Marine World Uminonakamichi aquarium. The video uses visual illusions to create the striking impression of adorable penguins leaping out of their tank and into the real world. It’s a fun and entertaining spot to pass the time while waiting to meet someone, so be sure to check out SOLARIA DAIGAMEN if you’re in the area!

Next is the newly opened HULIC SQUARE FUKUOKA TENJIN. This new building was constructed as part of Fukuoka City's redevelopment project, the Tenjin Big Bang.  It is located along Meiji-dori Avenue, next to 'Fukuoka PARCO.'

HULIC SQUARE FUKUOKA TENJIN is a 19-story complex with three basement floors. It’s directly connected to Tenjin Station, and its commercial floors feature eight restaurants, including several making their Kyushu debut. From yakiniku to Chinese cuisine and wine bars, there are some rather wonderful dining options.

Beyond restaurants, the building houses a drugstore, apparel shops, and even a clinic. Additionally, the upper floors are scheduled to open in April as a hotel. 

With these new developments, Tenjin is becoming even more lively for both locals and tourists. It's exciting to see more convenient and attractive spots popping up in Fukuoka, isn't it?

【Community Cat Activities】

February 22 is nyan nyan no hi or Cat Day, a day established to express gratitude for the happiness of living alongside cats and to celebrate this joy together.
Have you ever heard of "community cats"? You may have seen them! Community cats are stray cats that are managed and cared for within a specific area. These cats undergo spay or neuter surgeries and are often marked with a small notch on their ear or a tag as an identifier. If you see one of these cats on the street, it’s likely a community cat loved and cared for in that neighborhood.
Leaving stray cats unmanaged can lead to issues like noise or waste, creating problems in the local
environment. In any community, there are people who love cats and want to help care for stray cats, but there are also individuals who may have allergies or are simply not fond of cats. Regardless of how they feel about cats personally, most people share a desire to prevent issues caused by stray cats and to keep the population from growing uncontrollably.
One solution to this problem is "community cat activities."
This approach treats stray cat issues as a community environmental concern. With the agreement and participation of residents, community members take the lead in spaying/neutering the cats, providing food under specific guidelines, and managing litter areas. Rather than eliminating stray cats, the goal is to gradually reduce the number of unowned cats in the community over several years.
The success of community cat activities relies on the cooperation and understanding of local residents. To ensure everyone in the area can live comfortably, why not take a closer look at the community cat activities happening near you?

【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 7, notices and forms
have been sent out.
The deadline for filing is Monday, March 17th. The tax department of the ward office will accept your tax return in person, however the counters there may be crowded so please consider filing your tax returns by mail or online.
Those who need to file taxes with Fukuoka City include anyone who, as of January 1, 2025, has an address in the city and earned income during 2024. However, individuals who submit a tax return to the tax office or those whose only income is from salary and have already completed year-end adjustments through their employer do not need to file.
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 2024 and any documents for deductions made during 2024 are also necessary.
For information on what documents are needed and anything else about filing your taxes, please visit your local ward offices website. The websites support English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Nepali. If there is anything that you don't understand, please use the telephone translation hotline to call the ward offices. The hotline supports 23 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!

【Akutagawa Prize / Naoki Prize】

One of Japan's most prestigious literary awards, the Akutagawa Prize, has been awarded this year to 23-year- old Yui Suzuki, a graduate student at Seinan Gakuin University in Fukuoka City. While conducting research on English literature in graduate school, Suzuki also pursues creative writing.

Japan's literary world is home to numerous awards, but two of the most prominent and historically significant are the Akutagawa Prize and the Naoki Prize.
The Akutagawa Prize recognizes short to medium-length pure literary works by emerging writers published in magazines. The Naoki Prize, on the other hand, is awarded to single-volume novels, full-length works, or collections of short stories by both emerging and mid-career authors in the realm of entertainment literature.
Selection committees for both awards convene twice a year—in July for works from the first half of the year and in January for those from the latter half of the year. These awards are not open for public submission. The Akutagawa Prize focuses on works published in magazines, while the Naoki Prize targets works released as books. Both prizes go through several preliminary screenings before the final nominees are selected, and the winners are determined after deliberation during the selection meeting. In some cases, no winner is chosen.
The winning works often reflect the social context and values of their time, offering insight into modern Japanese culture and history.
This year's Akutagawa-winning story features a male professor who is a scholar of Goethe, the German literary giant. If you have the chance, be sure to give it a read!

【Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

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. Free English interpretation services are also available so if you will need an interpreter, please mention that when you make your reservation.
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 these consultations. Reservations will be taken from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM on weekdays. For detailed inquiries, please contact (0120-66-1799). 

Use Line Call for Consultations

And if you connect with the Foundation's official LINE account, you can make an appointment for
consultations on daily life or free professional consultation using the LINE call feature. Telephone
consultations are available in a number of foreign languages, so please feel free to contact them. In addition, you can get information on the Foundation's events and announcements from Fukuoka City, so please add the Foundation's official LINE account to your friends' list from the Fukuoka City International Foundation website.
One thing to keep in mind though is that the foundation will not accept consultations via the Line chat feature.
So if you want advice via text rather than calling, please use the inquiry form on the foundation's website.

【Fukuoka's Ariake Seaweed】

Now in season, Fukuoka proudly offers one of Japan's highest quality laver seaweeds, Fukuoka's Ariake Seaweed. The Ariake Sea, located in the southern part of the prefecture, is one of Japan's three major seaweed production areas. This seaweed is known for its rich aroma, delicate texture, and umami that melts on the tongue From rice balls to toppings for various dishes, seaweed has long been an essential ingredient on Japanese dining tables. It's also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, iron, calcium, dietary fiber, and more. Despite being low in calories, seaweed is a natural food that is rich in flavor.
The flavor and texture of seaweed vary depending on its place of origin, season, and grade. What makes Fukuoka's Ariake Seaweed so delicious is the abundant nutrients and moderate salinity brought by the rivers flowing into the Ariake Sea, as well as the unique tidal flats exposed during low tide. This combination of natural blessings and expert techniques results in an exceptional product. The seaweed season in Fukuoka's Ariake Sea runs from mid-October to early April. During this time, you can enjoy the fresh aroma unique to seaweed at its peak.
However, even the finest seaweed can lose its flavor if not stored properly. The greatest enemy of seaweed is moisture. To maintain its quality, store dried seaweed in an airtight container with a desiccant, in a dark place away from direct sunlight. While it can be kept at room temperature, storing it in the refrigerator is also recommended. Just before eating, lightly toast the seaweed over an open flame or heat it in the microwave to remove moisture and restore its crisp texture.
Now is the perfect season to savor Fukuoka's Ariake Seaweed. Pair it with rice and experience the authentic taste of Fukuoka!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Lifestyle 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 habits.
Life-style related diseases include diabetes, hypertension, CKD or chronic kidney disease 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.

―Guest Interviewー

【Anton Wilhelm Hersche】

Anton W. Hersche was born in year 1957 in "the city of art" Basel, Switzerland and he has been practicing his wild art skills for more than 50 years; in parallel to his professional career as a ex-banker and ex-entrepreneur all over the world in Switzerland, Germany, USA, Singapore and Japan (lived here for 25 years). In 2021, after retiring from his professional life, Anton is finally committing 100% of his time to creating contemporary art. All of his work can be seen on his website at 🔎https://www.antonhersche.com/

【Mandatory Helmet Use for Bicycle Commuting at Fukuoka Prefectural Schools】

The Fukuoka Prefectural Board of Education announced that starting this April, all students commuting by bicycle to prefectural schools in Fukuoka will be required to wear helmets. Currently, the helmet usage rate in Fukuoka Prefecture remains low, with high school students having the lowest rate of usage. Experiments measuring the impact on the head have shown that the force of an impact is approximately four times greater when a helmet is not worn compared to when one is used.

Approximately 60% of students at prefectural high schools commute by bicycle. Beginning with the new school term in April, school rules will include helmet use as a condition for allowing students to commute by bicycle. 

Promoting awareness of the importance of wearing helmets while cycling is directly tied to protecting lives. When selecting a helmet, choose one with the "SG Mark," which indicates that it meets Japan's safety standards.

For helmets to provide maximum safety, they must be worn correctly. Make sure the helmet sits evenly on the head at the correct angle, and adjust the chin strap so there is just enough space for one finger to fit under it. 

Not only high school students but everyone should wear a helmet while cycling, follow traffic rules, and prioritize safe driving to prevent accidents.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Beware of 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 even a tiny amount entering the body can lead to infection.

The virus can spread through contaminated hands, food, or inhalation of airborne particles from vomiting or 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 cooked thoroughly 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. Heat food to an internal temperature of 85–90°C for at least 90 seconds to kill the virus. 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 offers a Medical Interpretation Call Center. It can assist with communication during hospital visits, including discussions with doctors or when you need to get a prescription. The service can also help you find an appropriate hospital if you’re not sure where to go.

The hotline number is (092-733-5429). It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, supports 20 languages, and is a valuable resource in times of need.

【Praying for Success】

As we are in the midst of exam season, many students have exams coming up this weekend. In Japan, when taking entrance exams or other tests with important outcomes, people go to do gōkaku kigan, to make a prayer for success. This involves visiting a shrine to make a personal declaration of determination and asking the gods for their blessings to pass the test and achieve their goals.

One shrine that many visit is Hakozaki Shrine (Hakozaki-gu) in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City, one of Japan’s three major Hachiman shrines. Known as the “God of Protection and Victory,” it attracts many visitors during exam season who pray for success. Another popular spot is Suikyo Tenmangu Shrine, quietly located in the heart of Tenjin. It enshrines the deity of learning, making it another destination for those seeking academic success.

When praying, it’s important to state your name, address, specific wish, and the name of your desired school or the exam you want to pass. After the prayer, it’s customary to purchase a protective charm, the omamori to keep with you or to write your wish on a wooden plaque called ema and dedicate it to the shrine. Once the exams are over, the omamori should be returned to the shrine. If you pass, it’s also customary to visit the shrine again to express gratitude to the gods.

Praying on behalf of someone, such as family, friends, or loved ones, can also be a meaningful gesture. Best wishes to all of this year's exam-takers, may all of your hard work pay off! Good luck to you !

【Fukuoka City Information】

Tōchōji Setsubun Festival / International Students’ Bean-Throwing Ceremony

 Setsubun is an annual event in Japan that involves driving away misfortune such as illness or disasters and praying for health and happiness. A long-standing custom involves throwing beans to banish demons, with the chant “Fortune in, demons out!” (Fuku wa uchi! Oni wa soto!), wishing for good fortune and protection from misfortune.

At Tōchōji Temple in Hakata Ward, the Setsubun Grand Festival is held every year on February 3. The event attracts many visitors, and the lively bean-throwing ceremony features the Seven Lucky Gods, Otafuku and red and blue demons.

On Friday, January 24, as part of the festival's promotion, international students living in Fukuoka will dress as the Seven Lucky Gods and demons to perform a bean-throwing ceremony at Fukuoka City Hall. The students’ performances as demons are sure to be a fun event you don't want to miss.

How about you, do you think you'd like to experience this Japanese custom of bean-throwing?

For more information about the Setsubun Grand Festival on February 3 or the bean-throwing event on January 24, please check the websites of Fukuoka City or Tōchōji Temple in advance.

Participating in a Setsubun event is a great way to experience Japanese culture and invite good fortune into your life.