Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Hojoya Festival】

One of the three major festivals in Fukuoka, the "Hōjōya Festival” will be happening soon.  Have any of you been to it? Held at Hakozaki Shrine in Fukuoka City, Higashi Ward, this autumn festival has been held for over a thousand years and is on every year from September 12th to 18th, lasting seven days and seven nights.

It is a Shinto ritual to make offerings and express gratitude for the life we have received in order to live. It is also visited by many worshippers who pray for "prosperous businesses" and "safety in the home.

Along the approximately 1-kilometer approach to the shrine, there are about 500 stalls, including food stalls, haunted houses, shooting games, and yo-yo fishing booths, attracting a large crowd of people. Specialties like new ginger with green leaves and traditional sweets called "Yaki Mochi" are also sold. Additionally, there are music performances such as Japanese taiko drumming and exhibitions of glassworks known as "Champōn." It's a really fun, retro Japanese atmosphere,  that you should definitely check out. .

【Fukuoka City Information】

The Fukuoka Prize

Now, I have some information to share with you from Fukuoka City. Every year, Fukuoka City presents the "Fukuoka Prize" to individuals who have contributed to academic research, arts, and culture in Asia, honoring their achievements. The recipients of the 33rd Fukuoka  Prizes are : Tonchai Winichakul a historian, for the Grand Prize; Khatharya UM a political scientist and Southeast Asian researcher, for the Academic Research Prize; and Zhang Lü, a film director, for the Arts and Culture Prize.

The award ceremony will be held on Tuesday, September 12th, followed by a public lecture from Wednesday, September 13th, to Friday, September 15th. On September 13th, Zhang Lü, the film director who received the Arts and Culture Prize, will give a speech; on September 14th, Khatharya UM, the political scientist and Southeast Asian researcher who received the Academic Research Prize, will speak; and on September 15th, Tonchai Winichakul the historian who received the Grand Prize, will also deliver a lecture. All events are free to attend, and recordings will be available for later viewing. The broadcast for for each recorded public lecture among all three award categories is from October 2nd (Monday) to October 31st (Tuesday). If you plan to attend one of the lectures, please make sure to apply by September 16th (Saturday).

For detailed event information, please search for "Fukuoka Prize" and visit the official Fukuoka Prize website's event page.