Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Amaou Strawberries】

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

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

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

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

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

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

【Fukuoka City Information】

Special Foreign Student Visit for Setsubun Grand Festival at Tochoji Temple

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

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

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

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