Selected news topics by Fukuoka Now from Fukuoka’s Shisei Dayori.
Hakata Traditional Craft Center
The Hakata Traditional Craft Center opened in April 2011 to showcase famous traditional crafts such as Hakata-ori textiles and Hakata Dolls. Visitors can learn about local culture from a permanent display featuring wooden crafts, toys tops and paper dolls. • 6-1 Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata Ward (5 min. walk from Gion or Nakasukawabata Stations / 3 min. walk from Canal City-mae bus stop •Open: 10:00~18:00 (Last admission: 17:30) •Closed: Wednesdays (except 1/2), and 12/29~31.
Fukuoka Castle Photo Contest
Entries are now being accepted for the Fukuoka Castle Photo Contest (Theme: castle ruins with greenery, fall foliage, flowers or people). Winning entries will be exhibited at the Fukuoka Castle Ruins Visitor Center from Mar. 8 until Apr. 7, and an award ceremony will be held on Mar. 9. Entries must arrive by Feb. 28. To apply, send an A4-sized print or smaller and application form to the center (1-4 Jonai, Chuo Ward). See http://fukuokajyo.com for details.
Taiga Drama to Feature Kuroda Kanbei as Main Character
NHK has announced it will produce “Gunshi Kanbei”, a drama about Fukuoka’s founder, to air in 2014. Kanbei was a renowned army commander under Toyotomi Hideyoshi whose most lasting achievement was the creation of Fukuoka. After assuming rule of the domain, the Kuroda Clan built a new castle and named it after Fukuoka, their ancestral homeland in Bizen (now Okayama).
City Hall Holiday Hours of Operation
City Hall will be closed from Dec. 29 until Jan. 3. Holidays for major facilities are as follows:
FFAC Artlier: 12/26~1/1, Fukuoka Art Museum / Fukuoka City Museum / Fukuoka City Public Library: 12/28~1/4, Children’s Science & Culture Center: 12/28~1/3, Robosquare: 12/31~1/2, Hakatamachiya Furusatokan / Hakata Traditional Craft Center: 12/29~31, Zoo and Botanical Garden: 12/29~1/1, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park: 12/31~1/1, Island City Central Park “Gurin Gurin” / Umizuri Park: 12/29~1/3, Rakusuien / Shofuen / Yusentei Park: 12/29~1/1, Information Plaza Tenjin Certificate Service Counter: 12/31~1/3
State-of-the-Art Public Safety
The Hiryu fireboat was commissioned in March 2012. A potent weapon for fighting fires at sea and along the coast, it is also used for water rescues and emergencies on islands. It is equipped with night vision cameras and rescue sonar. Its top speed of 40 knots (74 km/h) makes it Japan’s fastest fireboat. Fukuoka also has two fire helicopters that can take aerial photos and send them instantaneously to the Disaster Prevention Center and fire brigades on the ground.
Yipee! For FREE!
Annual Firefighters’ New Year’s Parade
The Fire Prevention Bureau will hold its annual firefighters’ parade at Fukuoka Yahoo! Dome on Jan. 6 (Sun) from 10:00~14:00. With 2,000 firefighters participating, the parade will feature many exciting events including the spraying of hoses into Komo River, performances by the Boys and Girls Fire Club, a rescue squad drill show and traditional ladder stunts. Other events include a ladder truck bucket ride 40m into the air, and appearance by a fire truck.
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 (fn169, Jan. 2013)
