Selected news topics by Fukuoka Now from Fukuoka’s Shisei Dayori.
Water Costs (Fukuoka City Waterworks Bureau Activity-Based Costing for FY2011)
Water’s not free and here’s an explanation. Water fees collected from city residents are used to cover various costs. The illustration below shows the cost of each activity in the water supply system.
Raw H2O collection (dams/tree-planting) ¥16
+ H2O intake (¥7)
+ H2O purification (¥32)
+ Receipt of water from Fukuoka District Waterworks Agency (¥51)
+ System-wide administration (¥12)
+ Construction/maintenance of pipes and distribution (¥72)
+ Fee collection/meter reading (¥10)
= ¥200 to supply 1m3 of H2O (before tax)
Want to Volunteer in Fukuoka?
The Fukuoka NPO Volunteer Center (“Asumin”) will hold information sessions, including meet-and-greets with host volunteer groups, for people who want to join its Volunteer Experience Program. ● Feb. 6 (Wed.) 14:00~16:00, Feb. 21 (Thu.) 19:00~21:00 ● Venue: Asumin Seminar Room (2-6-46, Daimyo, Chuo-ku) ● Seats: 30 (first-come, first-served). Apply by phone (092-724-4801) or email (info@fnvc.jp).
Hakataza Kabuki Performance
The February Grand Kabuki at Hakataza (2-1 Shimokawabata-machi, Hakata-ku) commemorates the succession of Kantaro Nakamura to Kankuro VI. For tickets, call 092-263-5555 (10:00~18:00) or visit the theater homepage (www.hakataza.co.jp/).
Strawberry Picking in Nishi-ku
You can now pick strawberries at Imazu Refresh Farm (Imazu, Nishi-ku) every Saturday and Sunday from Jan. 12 to Apr. 28 between 9:00 and 16:00. Each group is allowed two packs of berries for ¥1,000 (or three packs in March and April). To reserve a spot, call 092-806-2565 on the Friday before the weekend you’d like to go. Reservations will be accepted until all spots are filled.
Yipee! For FREE!
Hakata Mochi Pounding on Feb. 10
To celebrate the Lunar New Year, mochi rice steamed over a large Hakata charcoal brazier will be pounded into rice cakes as dancers perform to shamisen and taiko accompaniment. Rice cakes will be handed out to the first 100 people. Visitors can also sample mochi topped with kinako (soybean flour) and oroshi (grated daikon). Time: 12:00~ (About 2 hours) Venue: Hakatamachiya Furusatokan (6-10 Reisen-machi, Hakata-ku)
For more Information
Fukuoka City Bulletin
Fukuoka Shisei Dayori is City Hall’s official magazine published bi-weekly on 1st and 15th of each month 23 times per year. It’s available in Japanese online too. Consider using it for Japanese study! ふくおか市政だより Website: www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/shisei/kouhou-hodo/shiseidayori/
Originally published in Fukuoka Now Magazine (fn170, Feb. 2013)
