Life in Fukuoka "English"

【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/

【Cool Share Fukuoka】

This summer, Fukuoka City has launched “Cool Share Fukuoka,” a program that provides places around the city where people can take a break and cool down, to help people stay cool during the hot summer months, . The initiative aims to prevent heatstroke and promote energy conservation by offering designated cooling spots throughout the city. A total of 890 locations, including public facilities such as community centers and gymnasiums, as well as local pharmacies and commercial facilities, are participating. These locations display stickers or banners that say ”気軽に休憩を” or “Feel Free to Take a Break,” welcoming visitors to rest and cool off.

Participating locations include commercial facilities such as Fukuoka City Hall, the Tenjin Underground Shopping Mall, department stores, and all Seven-Eleven convenience stores within Fukuoka City. Participating facilities can be identified by stickers or banners marked “Cool Share Fukuoka.”

In addition, 44 locations throughout the city, including ward offices, gymnasiums, and parks, offer free water refill stations where residents can fill their own bottles with Fukuoka’s safe and delicious chilled tap water at any time.

As the summer heat continues, make use of these cooling spots and water refill stations when you are out and about, and take steps to prevent heatstroke while staying comfortable.

【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 a School Enrollment and Educational Path Consultation 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.

The service is free of charge.

Consultations are available in Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Nepali.

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).

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).

【Guest Interview】

➖Steve➖

from Canada

https://www.wespeak.jp/
https://www.instagram.com/wespeak.jp/

【Blueberries】

Blueberries, which come into season from early summer and stay in season through the summer, are a popular fruit known for their sweet-tart flavor and rich nutritional value. From June through September, blueberry-picking farms begin opening across Fukuoka Prefecture, offering a fun seasonal activity.

In the nature-rich Wakiyama area of Sawara Ward, Fukuoka City, you’ll find Country Farm Kiichigoya, a blueberry farm where the berries are carefully grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides. The farm now has around 400 blueberry bushes, all full of fruit. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of original products made with freshly harvested blueberries, including blueberry jam, blueberry vinegar, and ice pops. In addition, blackberry picking is available until around mid-July. Part of the farm is covered with rain shelters, so you can enjoy berry picking even on rainy days without getting wet.

There’s something special about walking among the trees and picking perfectly ripe blueberries with your own hands, so why not refresh yourself in nature with family and friends while enjoying the flavors of the season?

【Fukuoka City Information】

Information about the National Health Insuranc

In Japan, to ensure that everyone can receive medical care at a low cost and with peace of mind when they are sick or injured, it is mandatory for all residents to join a public health insurance system. People who are allowed to stay in Japan for more than three months and are not covered by their company's health insurance must join the National Health Insurance. This requires procedures at the ward office of the district where you live.

Those enrolled in the Fukuoka City National Health Insurance must pay insurance premiums. These premiums are an important source of funding used for medical expenses. The insurance premiums for the period from April 2026 to March 2027 were determined in June based on the previous year's income and other factors.

For those enrolled in the National Health Insurance, payment notices have been sent out today June 15th  in a blue envelope. When you receive your envelope, please check the amount of the insurance premium listed in the documents inside the envelope and pay the premium within the payment deadline. Failure to pay the insurance premium may result in an investigation of your assets and the seizure of your savings or salary, so please be aware.

If you have any questions, you can receive consultations over the phone in 24 different languages. The phone 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 the National Health Insurance. 

【Food Education Day】

In Fukuoka Prefecture, efforts are being made to promote food education and local production for local consumption as a prefecture-wide movement. As part of this initiative, on the 19th of every month, known as “Food Education Day,” a special farmers market corner is set up at the Fukuoka Prefectural Government Office in Hakata Ward, where fresh seasonal agricultural, forestry, and marine products, as well as processed goods, are sold.

The market is held every month on the 19th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and ends once items are sold out. If the 19th falls on a government office closing day, it is held on the nearest preceding business day instead. This month, it will be held over two days, Thursday the 18th and Friday the 19th. The location is the first-floor lobby of the Fukuoka Prefectural Government Office.

Why not support Fukuoka-produced agricultural, forestry, and marine products by buying them—and by enjoying them too?

【Fukuoka City Information】

Rainy Season and Heavy Rain

In Japan, the period from June to July is known as the “rainy season,” when there is a lot of rainfall.
Please be careful, as this is a time when disasters caused by heavy rain are more likely to occur.

In recent years, record-breaking rainfall during the rainy season has caused major damage in Fukuoka Prefecture as well.
When there is heavy rain, do not go near dangerous places such as rivers, coastlines, or steep slopes near mountains. Please take action to protect your life.

On the Fukuoka City website, you can check hazard maps and disaster prevention information.
Please check in advance what kinds of dangers exist in the area where you live and how to evacuate if necessary.
For details, search for “Fukuoka City Multilingual Portal” and visit the “Disaster” page.

Important information from Fukuoka City is also shared in multiple languages through the official Fukuoka City Facebook page “Global Community Fukuoka” and the Fukuoka City International Foundation Facebook page “Fukuoka City International Center / Attaka Fukuoka.”
Please follow these pages to receive important information regularly.

Taxes

People who were living in Fukuoka City on January 1 and whose income from the previous year exceeded 1.1 million yen may need to pay municipal and prefectural resident taxes.

A tax payment notice will arrive around June 15, so please make sure to check it carefully.
It will show the payment amount and payment deadline.
You can pay at convenience stores, banks, or post offices.
Payment by smartphone apps and credit card is also available.

If you work for a company, the tax may be deducted directly from your salary.
If you do not pay your municipal taxes, your property may be seized, and it could negatively affect future residency status renewal procedures.

If you do not understand something or have difficulty making payments, please consult your local ward office.
Consultations are available by phone in 23 languages.

The phone number is (092-753-6113).
After contacting the interpretation center, you will be connected to your ward office.
Please tell them the language you speak, the ward where you live, and that your inquiry is about taxes.

【Fireflies】

Fireflies drifting through the air with their soft, magical glow are a beautiful sight to see. Although many people associate fireflies with summer, they actually only appear for a short period from late May to mid-June.

It is said that fireflies are most active on warm, humid nights with temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius, especially on cloudy and windless evenings. Nights after rain or just before rainfall, when the air feels muggy, are considered the best time to see them. Their activity usually peaks about two hours after sunset, so visiting around that time is recommended.

Fireflies prefer areas with rich nature and clean water. In Fukuoka City, there are many famous viewing spots where you can see fireflies, including the rooftop of JR Hakata City at Hakata Station, Myohoji Temple in Chuo Ward, and the upper stream area of the Muromi River in Sawara Ward. Firefly viewing is a wonderful outing for an early summer evening.

However, fireflies are very delicate creatures. Touching them can quickly weaken them, so please do not catch them, and simply enjoy watching them quietly. Strong lights such as car headlights, flashlights, and camera flashes are also strictly prohibited. Please follow proper manners while enjoying the fireflies.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Easy Japanese Radio Course

Have you ever listened to the “Easy Japanese Radio Course”?
This program speaks slowly in “easy Japanese” for foreign residents who may not yet fully understand Japanese.
It shares useful information that foreign residents should know while living in Japan.

The program airs every Friday from 9:54 a.m.
Even if there is something you don’t understand or you miss the broadcast, don’t worry!
You can listen again anytime on the podcast while following along with the script posted on the Love FM website.
Please give it a listen.

HIV Testing Awareness Week

The week from June 1 to June 7 is HIV Testing Awareness Week.
In 2025, medical institutions in Fukuoka City newly reported 10 HIV cases and 11 AIDS patients.

Prevention, early detection, and early treatment are very important for HIV infection.
Since HIV infection usually causes very few symptoms at first, testing is necessary to know whether or not you have been infected.

Each ward Health and Welfare Center distributes free HIV self-testing kits that can be used at home.
You can also take tests for syphilis and genital chlamydia, which have been increasing in recent years, at the same time.

Testing is simple. You collect blood and urine samples at home and mail them to a testing center. The results can then be checked online.
Distribution dates for the testing kits are scheduled in advance, so please check the Fukuoka City website beforehand.

By detecting HIV early and receiving proper health management and treatment, it is possible to delay the onset of AIDS.
If you are concerned, please get tested for early detection.

【AMAZING THAILAND FEST】

This weekend, on Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st, Amazing Thailand Fest 2026, an event where you can fully enjoy Thailand while staying right here in Fukuoka, will be held.

Over the two days, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of content including popular Thai food and drinks, sales of Thai products and goods, tourism information, and stage performances.
At the food booths, you’ll find popular dishes such as gapao rice and pad thai, along with trendy gourmet foods and sweets. The product booths will feature Thai pants, accessories, and many Thai food products for you to buy. There will also be photo booths, workshops where you can make desserts and flower garlands, and even Thai massage booths. On the stage, there will be performances throughout the day including T-POP, jazz, and traditional Thai “Mor Lam” music. Don’t miss the prize drawing where you could win airline tickets and other luxurious prizes.

Once again, the Amazing Thailand Fest 2026 will be held this weekend, Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The venue is the area in front of the Kihinkan Hall at Tenjin Central Park in Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City.

For anyone that loves Thailand and its culture, this is an event not to be missed. Be sure to stop by!

【Love Earth Cleanup】

To continue, have you heard of Love Earth Cleanup?
It is a community environmental beautification activity in which citizens, companies, and local government work together to clean beaches, rivers, parks, and other public spaces all at the same time. The activity also contributes to achieving the SDGs and tackling marine plastic waste.

This year, it will be held on Sunday, June 14, at six locations within the city:
the beach near the Fukuoka City Uminonakamichi Seaside Youth House in Higashi Ward, the area around Fujita Park in Hakata Ward, Fukuhama Beach in Chuo Ward, Matsuyama Central Park in Jonan Ward, the area around Momochihama at Seaside Momochi Beach Park in Sawara Ward, and Imazu Nagahama Beach in Nishi Ward.

Anyone is welcome to participate, so if you are interested, please check the details and apply through the Fukuoka City website. The event will proceed in light rain but will be canceled in the event of severe weather. Participants should bring their own drinks, hats, towels, and work gloves.

In addition, cleanup activities organized by local communities, companies, and groups will also be held in various locations both inside and outside Fukuoka City. If your schedule allows, please consider joining cleanup events in other municipalities as well.
Let’s all work together to protect Fukuoka City’s rich natural environment.

【The Hakataza Funanorikomi Boat Procession】

This year, the Hakataza “Funanorikomi” boat procession, loved as an early summer tradition of Hakata, will be held again!

“Funanorikomi” is a traditional event dating back to the Edo period, in which kabuki actors announce their arrival in the city where they will perform.

Kabuki is one of Japan’s most famous traditional stage performing arts. Every June, the “June Hakataza Grand Kabuki” is held at the Hakataza Theater in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. It is one of the largest kabuki performances in Kyushu, featuring popular productions and a star-studded cast of actors. The performers, who will be appearing in the production. board boats and travel along the Hakata River, presenting their arrival in Hakata and praying for the success of the performances in a tradition that has continued since the Edo period.

On the day of the event, the boats depart from near Seiryu Park and slowly travel along the Hakata River. Kabuki actors and Hakata geisha ride aboard the boats, creating a lively and elegant parade atmosphere. Visitors can watch the procession up close from along the riverside while enjoying a walk through the city.

As an event where people can experience the atmosphere of kabuki before the performances officially begin, “Funanorikomi” is a lively Hakata tradition that attracts many spectators every year. If you see the procession, be sure to cheer them on from along the route.

【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 center at least two weeks in advance.  All consultations are confidential, so please feel at ease to use the service. For more information, the phone number to call is 0120-66-1799. Calls will be taken from 9am to 5:30pm on weekdays.

 Get 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 different 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. 

【FUKUOKA MUSEUM WEEK】

In Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Museum Week will begin this Saturday, May 16, in conjunction with International Museum Day on May 18. This event aims to promote Fukuoka as a city rich in art and culture, and this year marks its 17th edition.

A total of 18 museums and art galleries across the city will participate, offering a variety of special benefits such as discounts, gifts, and exclusive events. Some venues will even offer free admission. In addition to regular exhibitions, there will also be many special programs, including lectures, workshops, behind-the-scenes tours, and gallery talks, each creatively organized by the participating facilities.

For those who already enjoy visiting museums, this is a chance to experience something a little different. For those who have rarely visited museums before, it’s a great opportunity to step inside for the first time. There are many ways to enjoy it—why not start by casually exploring art and history?

The event runs for nine days, from this Saturday, May 16, to next Sunday, May 24.
For more details, please check the Fukuoka City website.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Light vehicle tax

People who are in possession of a motorized bike or a light vehicle, as of April 1st, must pay a light vehicle tax. 

If you do have a motorized bike or light vehicle, you will receive a tax payment notification in the post, so make sure you take a look inside. Payment is due by June 1st and you can make your payment at a convenience store, bank or post office.  You can even pay via smartphone apps or credit card. 

If you do not pay your taxes, like the light vehicle taxes, you may run into difficulties when it comes time to renew your residency visa  and you may face having your assets seized. 

If there is anything you don't understand or if you are finding it difficult to pay your tax, please contact your ward office for consultation. If you contact them by phone for consultation, 23 different languages are supported. That phone number is (092-753-6113). This phone number will connect to the Multilingual Interpretation Center. After registering with them, you will be connected to your ward office. When you call, make sure that you tell them which language you need to use, the ward in which you live and that you are calling in regards to paying your taxes.