Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Please Cooperate with Water Conservation】

Since last autumn, there has been very little rainfall in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Rainfall in the area where Kyushu's largest river, the Chikugo River, is located, has been the lowest in the past 50 years, according to observations.
As a result, the water storage level of the dams connected to the Chikugo River continues to decline.

About one-third of the tap water used in Fukuoka City comes from the Chikugo River. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure water from the river as we have in the past.
The forecast for the coming month also predicts less rainfall than usual.
If this dry weather continues, Fukuoka City will face a very serious water shortage.

For this reason, Fukuoka City is continuing efforts to conserve limited water resources and avoid waste.
It is said that if every citizen of Fukuoka saves just one bucket of water per day, the city can conserve approximately 6 million cubic meters of water over the course of a year.

So, let’s all be mindful and do our part to conserve water.

【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 8, they were sent by post from Fukuoka City. 

The deadline for filing is Monday, March 16th. The tax department of the ward office will accept your tax return from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, however the counters there may be crowded so please send your tax returns by mail or by internet. 

Those who are required to file Fukuoka City taxes include anyone who has lived in Fukuoka City since the first of January 2026 and had income in 2025. Those who submitted a final tax declaration to the tax authorities or those who only received a salaried income whose company filed year end adjustments  do not need to file a tax return. 

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 2025 and any documents for deductions made during 2025 are also necessary.

For information on what documents are needed and anything else about filing your taxes, please visit your local ward offices website. If there is anything that you don't understand, please use the telephone translation hotline to call the ward offices. The hotline supports 25 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!

"Blue Ticket” System for Bicycle Violations Starting in April

To continue, I'd like to share some changes coming to traffic violations regarding bicycles. 

In Japan, bicycles are considered "vehicles" and are subject to traffic regulations.

Starting in April 2026, a blue ticket (fine) system will be applied to bicycle traffic violations for riders aged 16 and older.

There are 113 types of violations that may be subject to fines. Among them, the following are especially important to watch out for:

Ignoring traffic signals

Using a smartphone while riding

Riding without lights at night

Riding against traffic

Riding on sidewalks

Riding side by side

Using earphones or headphones

Holding an umbrella while riding

Riding on the right side of the road

Entering prohibited areas

Not stopping at stop signs

In addition, it's important to never ride under the influence of alcohol.
Any of these traffic violations can lead to accidents and injuries.

To use bicycles safely and comfortably, please review the traffic rules and make a conscious effort not to violate them.

【Taiwan Festival in Fukuoka】

Currently, the Taiwan Festival in Fukuoka is being held at the Fureai Plaza on the west side of Fukuoka City Hall.

In Taiwan, the Lunar New Year—its biggest annual celebration—begins this year on Saturday, February 14 and continues through Sunday, February 22, with a 9-day holiday period. To coincide with this festive season, Taiwan’s Lunar New Year is coming to Fukuoka!

The Taiwan Festival is an exchange event held under the theme “Taiwan Night Market 365 Days a Year in Japan,” allowing visitors to experience Taiwan through various regional night market foods and more. This year, the festival is being held in collaboration with Tainan City, an ancient city in southern Taiwan, showcasing its unique food, culture, and charm.

At the Taiwan Festival in Fukuoka 2026, the event titled Spring Festival Tainan Lantern Festival lets you enjoy the lively atmosphere of Taiwan’s Lunar New Year and the dazzling world of Tainan’s Lantern Festival—right here in Fukuoka, like a special journey through Tainan.

At the venue, alongside classic Taiwanese street foods such as juicy xiao long bao and the massive fried chicken da ji pai, visitors can enjoy local Tainan dishes like Tainan danzai noodles topped with minced meat. Local chefs prepare these dishes on-site, offering an authentic taste of Taiwan—perfect for those who’ve been to Taiwan and those who haven’t!

The space itself also evokes the feel of Taiwan. As night falls, the venue transforms into a festive celebration filled with the vibrant lights of Lunar New Year. Uniquely designed Tainan lanterns, some painted and others shaped like dragons, light up the area, creating a surreal experience that feels like traveling through Taiwan without leaving Japan—a truly photogenic moment!

So, once again the Taiwan Festival in Fukuoka 2026 – Spring Festival Tainan Lantern Festival is currently underway. It is being held at the Fureai Plaza on the west side of Fukuoka City Hall, right in the heart of Tenjin, and runs through Monday, February 23. On weekdays, the event is open from 12:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and on weekends and holidays from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

This is a rare opportunity to experience authentic Taiwanese culture. Don’t miss it!

【Information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation】

Children's Workshop

The Fukuoka City International Foundation will host a workshop for children on Sunday March 1st from 10am to 12pm. The target participants are elementary school students from 1st to 6th grade. 

This workshop will be held at the Fukuoka City International Center, on the 4th floor, in Conference Room 1 and will be conducted in simple Japanese.

During this workshop, children will make three cute handmade items while learning how people from different countries experience the arrival of spring.
The event is free, but advance registration is required.
For details and to apply, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation website [www.fcif.or.jp] and check the “Latest News” section.

You Can Now Use LINE Call for Consultations!

To continue, did you know that through the Fukuoka City International Foundation’s official LINE account, you can now make inquiries via LINE Call about general daily life consultations or reservations for free expert consultations?
Telephone interpreting is also available, allowing support in multiple languages.

You can also receive updates about the foundation’s events and information for foreign residents.
Please add the Fukuoka City International Foundation as a friend via their website! However, please note that chat messages are not supported.
If you prefer to consult via text, please use the contact form on the foundation’s website.

【Rakugo in English ”イングリッシュ de 落語”】

This Saturday, the much-acclaimed “English Rakugo” returns to Tenjin!

Have you heard of “English Rakugo”?

Rakugo is a traditional Japanese storytelling art that dates back to the Edo period. A single storyteller, or rakugoka, performs multiple characters and brings an imaginative world to life. “English Rakugo” retains the essence of classic Rakugo while expressing it in English, stimulating the imagination beyond language barriers. It’s gaining attention as a form of universal entertainment that everyone—Japanese speakers and non-Japanese speakers alike—can laugh at and enjoy together.

Originally performed in 2024, English de Rakugo—led by two rakugo performers, Tatekawa Shinohachi and Shinoharu—received great acclaim as a unique opportunity to experience Japanese culture through English. Whether you’re a longtime fan of rakugo or completely new to it, you can laugh together in the same space! It’s a shared comedy experience that transcends both borders and language.

English de Rakugo with Tatekawa Shinohachi and Shinoharu will take place this Saturday, the 7th, starting at 3:00 PM. The venue is Resola Hall, right in the heart of Tenjin, just steps away from the LOVE FM studio. All seats are unreserved and tickets are ¥2,000. Student discounts are also available.

For more information, please check the LOVE FM website.

I went to the first volume in 2024 and enjoyed it so much that I'm planning to go this time too!

Wouldn’t you like to experience this new form of entertainment—where laughter, English, and traditional arts come together? If you have the chance, take this opportunity to enjoy Japan’s traditional “sit-down comedy”: Rakugo!

【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, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and heart attacks and are caused by poor nutrition, a lack of regular exercise and insufficient sleep. 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 lead to 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. Take your time to eat, aim to spend at least 20 minutes enjoying your meal. 

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 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 people who don’t exercise much, try walking to the store instead of driving, using stairs instead of elevators or escalators, and adding about 10 more minutes of physical activity to your daily routine by taking advantage of small opportunities throughout the day. 

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 an opportunity to reflect on and improve your daily habits.

【Fukuoka Budokan】

This month, the relocated Fukuoka Budokan has newly opened at Higashi Park in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City.

The Fukuoka Budokan is a martial arts center managed by Fukuoka Prefecture. It hosts martial arts competitions such as judo, kendo, kyudo, and sumo, as well as police training exercises. It also serves as a hub for promoting sports among the public. The facility was originally located near Ohori Park in Chuo Ward but has now relocated due to the reconstruction of the Fukuoka Prefectural Art Museum. The new Budokan has opened on the west side of the Fukuoka Citizens’ Gymnasium.

The new building has one basement floor and four above-ground floors. The first floor houses a sumo ring. On the second floor, there are four indoor judo and kendo courts, which were previously outdoors. The fourth floor has a kyudo (Japanese archery) range. Additionally, the basement level now features a newly built gymnasium the size of one basketball court.

Designed as a space that “connects martial arts and Fukuoka’s culture,” the building features a design inspired by the spirit of Japanese martial arts, with an exterior patterned after Hakata-ori (traditional Hakata weaving) to reflect the essence of Fukuoka. Inside, traditional crafts from Fukuoka Prefecture are on display. The facility is also environmentally friendly, with solar panels and the use of local Fukuoka wood for interior walls and seating.

Managed under the jurisdiction of the Fukuoka Prefectural Police, the Fukuoka Budokan is open to the public outside of scheduled police training times. Reservations can be made at the front desk.

Whether you are already familiar with martial arts or completely new to them, come visit the newly reborn Fukuoka Budokan and experience its charm for yourself.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Be Careful about the 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 can be transmitted even with very little contact. 

The virus enters your body via the food you eat or from your hands from touching something. It causes vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. You can get the virus through inhalation if someone with the virus in the area has been vomiting or had 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 thoroughly cooked 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. The Norovirus is killed at temperatures of 85-90 degrees Celsius. 

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 provides access to a Medical Interpretation Call Center. This service can help you communicate with doctors during consultations and also assist when receiving medication at hospitals or pharmacies.

If you're not sure which medical facility you should go to, you can also call for advice on where to seek care.

The phone number is (092-733-5429).

The service is available 24 hours a day, every day, and supports 20 different languages, so please don’t hesitate to call if you need help.

【Guest Interview】

➖Ikarah Woodvine➖

Fukuoka Woman's University international students from England

instagram:@ikarahswoodvine

https://www.instagram.com/ikarahswoodvine/

【Street Piano】

In recent years, more and more street pianos have been installed in towns, including at train stations and public facilities, allowing anyone to play freely. Street pianos offer the joy of making music, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player. In Fukuoka City as well, there is a street piano on the first floor of Solaria Plaza in Tenjin, where the LOVE FM studio is located. Additionally, in Bayside Place Hakata in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka’s first grand piano has been installed in front of a large aquarium. It’s a popular photo spot where you can perform with around 3,000 fish swimming in the background.

And this week, a street piano that was exhibited at the 2025 Japan International Expo (Osaka-Kansai Expo) is coming to Fukuoka. The piano is decorated with designs including the official Expo character "Myakumyaku," and will be on special display at Yamaha Music Fukuoka starting this week on the 17th.

Yamaha Music Fukuoka is located on the first basement floor of ACROS Fukuoka in Fukuoka City. The display period is from Saturday the 17th to Monday the 26th of this month. Store hours are 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., but please note that the store is closed on Tuesdays.

This street piano was displayed at the Osaka-Kansai Expo from September to October 2025. As a special model featuring Expo visuals such as Myakumyaku, it is now on tour in five cities across Japan due to popular demand. Fukuoka is the third stop on the tour. During the display period, anyone is free to play it and enjoy the special upright piano in the heart of Tenjin. It’s a rare opportunity to see and play a designer piano that was only viewable at the Expo.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Student Recruitment for Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School

Do you know about Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School ?

Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School is a public night school created by Fukuoka City for individuals who couldn’t complete compulsory education due to various circumstances, including truancy. Enrollment is open regardless of nationality.

The school offers all the subjects taught in daytime junior high schools, and for those concerned about their Japanese skills, Japanese language teachers provide instruction from basic levels. Graduates receive an official junior high school diploma.

Classes are held from 5:50 PM to 9:15 PM on weekdays on the 4th floor of the Fukuoka City Education Center in Momochi, Sawara Ward. It’s conveniently located, just a 10-minute walk from the subway and bus terminal, and tuition and textbooks are free.

Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School is now accepting applications for students who wish to enroll. If you’re interested in applying, please contact the school by January 30^th, via phone or email. The phone number is (092-400-0751). You can call on weekdays between 2:00 PM and 9:15 PM.

You can find the school's website by searching for "Fukuoka Kibou Junior High School Student Recruitment." They are happy to take any questions or give advice as needed.

The email address is provided on the school’s website so feel free to send questions or inquiries via email.

【Kagami Biraki】

Happy New Year 2026!
We hope that Life in Fukuoka continues to be a helpful source of inspiration for you this year as well. Thank you for your continued support! 

As the New Year holidays come to an end, many of you are likely returning to work and getting back into your daily routines this week.
So I want to wish you all a healthy and smooth start to 2026!

One traditional New Year decoration in Japan is the kagami mochi—a pair of round rice cakes stacked together and offered to the gods or spirits. You’ll often see them displayed in homes as well as in various places around town.
This Sunday, January 11th, marks the event known as Kagami Biraki—literally, “opening the mirror.” It is the day to take down the kagami mochi and eat it, wishing for good health and safety in the new year.

When performing Kagami Biraki, it is considered bad luck to use a knife to cut the rice cakes, as it would imply severing ties or bringing misfortune. Instead, the mochi is broken using a wooden mallet or similar tool. Even the word “to break” (waru) is avoided due to its negative connotation, so the more auspicious word “to open” (hiraku) is used instead.

The mochi is called a “mirror” (kagami) because of its round shape, which resembles the ancient bronze mirrors once used in Japan. The two layers of mochi symbolize layers of good fortune and the wish for a harmonious, well-rounded year. Every part of the decoration carries a lucky meaning. The kagami mochi is believed to contain divine power, so eating it rather than discarding it is an important part of the ritual.

Because the mochi has dried and hardened, it’s difficult to eat as is. That’s why it’s typically prepared in dishes like ozoni (New Year soup), oshiruko (sweet red bean soup), or kaki mochi (toasted or fried rice crackers), while offering prayers for good health and household safety.

By understanding the meaning behind the kagami mochi, and enjoying it in a delicious dish, may we all draw strength from this tradition and spend the new year in good health and happiness.

【Fukuoka City International Foundation Information】

nfant and Toddler Playgroup (“Yarana Hiroba”)

Would you like to come to a place where you can have fun together with your child?

At the Naraya Community Center in Hakata Ward, an infant and toddler playgroup, commonly called “Yarana Hiroba,” is held every month. It’s a space where parents and children can spend enjoyable time together.

The next session will be held on Tuesday, January 13^th from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

January's theme is “Sannō Kodomo Plaza: About Kindergartens and Nursery Schools.”
The lecture will be given by the Childrearing Support Concierge from the Hakata Ward Plaza.

The session will last about 15 minutes, followed by free space time for participants to mingle and play.

The talk will cover topics such as the differences between kindergartens and nursery schools, how to apply, and the general process leading up to enrollment.

After the lecture, participants will also have the opportunity to receive individual consultations from the Plaza Concierge.

For details and to sign up, please check the Fukuoka City International Foundation’s Facebook page.
They are looking forward to seeing you there!

Consultations on Immigration, Residency and Nationality Matters.

To continue, 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.  

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.

【Hatsumode】

This is the final broadcast of 2025.
So, for our last broadcast of the year, I’d like to talk about visiting shrines and temples at the end and beginning of the year.

Visiting shrines and temples between mid-December and New Year’s Eve is known as nenmatsumōde, or “year-end visit,” and it’s a tradition where people express their gratitude for the past year and share their hopes for the coming one with the gods or buddhas. The main idea is to give thanks before the year ends, and it’s sometimes called orei-mairi, or “gratitude visit.” In Japan’s old calendar, the winter solstice (December 22nd) was considered the start of the new year, an ideal time to begin new things. It’s also believed that the power of deities increases around this time. As the New Year approaches, temples and shrines clean their grounds and buildings, a process known as susuharai, so they’re freshly tidied and full of positive energy. Because these visits happen before the holiday crowds, nenmatsumōde is said to bring good luck and even greater blessings.

If you have charms or talismans, this is also the time to return them to the shrine or temple where you received them, with gratitude for their protection over the past year. These items are then respectfully burned in a ceremony known as otakiage (purification). It's customary to return them after a year, ideally to the place where you got them, but if that’s difficult, it's generally acceptable to bring them to another shrine or temple.

Hatsumōde is the first shrine or temple visit of the new year, when people pray for safety, peace, and express thanks for the past year. As always, these places are crowded with worshippers starting from New Year's Day. After making their prayers, people often draw omikuji (fortune slips), buy new charms, or write their goals or wishes on ema (wooden votive plaques) to greet the new year with a fresh mindset. Hatsumōde is also a time when people return their old charms and talismans for otakiage.

In Fukuoka and the rest of western Japan, there’s a tradition called Sansha-mairi—visiting three different shrines between January 1st and 3rd. It’s believed that visiting three shrines brings greater blessings. In Fukuoka, the three most commonly visited shrines are Dazaifu Tenmangū, which enshrines the god of learning; Hakozakigū, known for protection from misfortune and granting victory; and Miyajidake Shrine, believed to bring good luck and prosperity in business. However, you're free to choose other shrines depending on your personal wishes—for example, for traffic safety, household harmony, or good relationships. There’s no fixed order or method for visiting, so you can go at your own pace and in whatever order you like.

When visiting, it’s said that during daylight hours, impure spirits cannot enter the shrine grounds, so it's recommended to visit while it's still light out.

At the start of a new year, we naturally want to celebrate and pray for happiness in the coming days. May 2026 bring much joy and good fortune to you.

Once again, this is the final broadcast of 2025. What kind of year has it been for you?
Thank you for listening to Life in Fukuoka this year.
We hope Life in Fukuoka continues to be a helpful companion in your life next year as well.
Wishing you a joyful and blessed 2026. Have a safe and happy New Year!

【Fukuoka Silvester Concert】

There are now fewer than 10 days left in the year. How about welcoming the end of the year and the moment of the New Year with music? On New Year's Eve, December 31, the Fukuoka Silvester Concert 2025 will be held at Fukuoka Sunpalace in Hakata Ward.

The Fukuoka Silvester Concert is a New Year’s Eve musical event where general participants from the public join in chorus and orchestra to welcome the New Year on a grand stage together with soloists and professional musicians. Since its first event in 2014, it has been held with the goals of promoting musical culture, contributing to the local community, and building human connections, with the involvement of many Fukuoka citizens. Beginners are welcome! People unfamiliar with classical music are especially encouraged to attend. Some people who came as audience members have even made their stage debut in the chorus the following year.

Even before the concert begins, the lobby events offer a fun experience, with food stalls, miscellaneous goods, and performances by street entertainers, making it easy for anyone to enjoy, even if they're not familiar with classical music. The concert program itself includes many well-known pieces such as Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” making it a great introduction to classical music.

The highlight of the concert is, without a doubt, the moment of the New Year countdown! Will the countdown performance—where the year changes right as the music ends—succeed again this year?

The countdown piece for 2025 has been decided: “The Blue Danube.” This piece by Johann Strauss II, who celebrates his 200th birth anniversary, will be performed with chorus. It promises to be a tense and emotional moment, a special experience where everyone can celebrate a glamorous New Year's together.

The concert will take place on New Year's Eve, December 31, at Fukuoka Sunpalace in Hakata Ward, starting shortly after 10 p.m. Why not spend the final night of the year with music and encounters with many people? Experience a uniquely Fukuoka New Year’s celebration that goes beyond the boundaries of classical music!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Spend the New Year's Holiday safely

Fukuoka City wants you to enjoy your winter holidays safely and enjoyably and has a few tips to share. 

From the end of the year to the start of the new year, there are a lot of opportunities to drink alcohol. So, make sure, 100%, that you don't drink and drive, don't make others drink and drive, never allow someone to drink and drive and don't ignore someone who would drink and drive. Even cycling after drinking is against the law.

And it's important to remember that even the next day you might have some alcohol in your system or will be hungover. In that case, even if you think you only have a little bit of alcohol left in your system, it doesn't mean you should drive, because you shouldn't. 

Also, every year, the end of the year sees more and more traffic accidents. If you are out late at night, make sure you are wearing bright or reflective clothes that are easy for drivers to notice. And if you are driving or even cycling, make sure you turn your headlights on earlier in the evening.

Next, we have a warning about investment scams and romance scams via social media.
There has been a sharp increase in fraud cases where people are tricked into investing money by individuals they meet through social media or dating apps, or by scammers pretending to be celebrities. To protect yourself:

1. Be cautious of investment solicitations on social media or the internet.

2. If someone you’ve never met in person discusses money, assume it might be a scam.

3. Any investment pitch that includes phrases like "guaranteed profits" or "guaranteed principal" is a scam.

Keep these three points in mind to avoid falling victim.

Finally, please don't smoke while walking outdoors or riding a bicycle and try to refrain from smoking outdoors when people are around. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Let’s protect ourselves and our loved ones and enjoy a safe and enjoyable winter holiday.

【New Areas and Services at Fukuoka International Airport】

This week, I’d like to tell you about the new areas and services at Fukuoka International Airport.

The commercial area inside the international terminal’s third-floor boarding lounge has been newly expanded and opened this month. Thirteen unique shops, including six making their first appearance in Kyushu, have opened as a retail zone to meet the needs of travelers just before boarding and the growing demand from inbound tourists. The lineup includes food and traditional crafts that allow you to rediscover the charm of Japan and Fukuoka before departure, as well as character merchandise, convenience stores, clothing shops, and electronics retailers—offering a wide range of options to meet diverse needs. The area is also stocked with travel goods useful for your journey and perfect souvenirs, making it a comfortable and convenient space.

In addition, the arrival lobby on the first floor now features a specialty capsule toy store, representing a piece of Japanese culture that has gained global popularity. With over 500 capsule toy machines lined up, it offers a diverse selection of items. You’re sure to find something you’ll want—whether for yourself or as a small gift.

Furthermore, a convenient new service has also been introduced. Starting in November, Fukuoka International Airport launched the AI-based lost and found support system called “Lost and Found Cloud – find.” This service allows you to easily inquire about lost items at the airport via chat. It supports not only Japanese but also English, Simplified Chinese, and Korean.

Please note that it covers only lost items kept within Fukuoka Airport; items lost in customs areas, onboard aircraft, at airline counters, or in airline lounges are not included. No app installation is required. Simply access it from the official website of Fukuoka International Airport, go through a simple email authentication, and you can start chatting immediately from your browser.

With the upcoming year-end and New Year holidays, I guess many of my listeners may be using the international terminal at Fukuoka Airport. I hope this information is helpful!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Ward Office Consultation and Garbage Collection over the New Year Holidays

 Over the New Year's holidays, there are a few changes to ward office consultation hours and the days on which you can put out the garbage, so please make note.

Ward offices will be closed from Saturday, December 27th, to Sunday, January 4th.   In the days before and after the new year holidays, the ward office consultation counters will be busy so make sure you give yourself plenty of time when you go there.

Also, from Wednesday, December 31st, to Saturday, January 3rd, there will be no garbage collection, so please do not put your garbage out for pick up. The last day to put out burnable garbage for scheduled pick up is Tuesday, December 30th.  Scheduled garbarge pick-up will resume on Sunday, January 4th.  For nonburnable garbage and glass and pet bottles, in areas where collection is scheduled for Thursday, January 1st, dispose of garbage on Tuesday, December 30th.

Also, applications and pickup for oversized garbage will be stopped between Sunday, December 28th, to Sunday, January 4th, so please be aware of that.

If you have questions about garbage disposal, you can call the Interpretation Center to connect with your local ward office.
The phone number is (092-753-6113).
Let them know your ward and that your inquiry is about garbage disposal.
The service is available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and from December 29th to January 3rd.