Selected news topics by Fukuoka Now from Fukuoka’s Shisei Dayori.
¥1,000 Fukuoka Night Cruises
Fukuoka City will operate Hakata Bay cruises on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from July 22 to August 28 (and on Monday, Aug. 15). The boats will start from the Hakata pier at 7:10 p.m. and sail past Nokonoshima, Odo-Marinoa, Seaside Momochi, and Nishi Park before returning to the pier 80 minutes later at 8:30 p.m. Those taking the cruise will have the chance to view the lovely night scenes in Momochi and other areas of the city while enjoying the cool sea breeze. Each cruise will take the first 160 arrivals as passengers. Those wishing to make reservations should apply by telephone after July 4 (9:00 a.m. ~ 6:00 p.m.). Please be advised that same-day applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m.
Telephone: 092-291-1085
Fees: Adults; ¥1,000, 1 year old through primary school ¥500 (One child younger than primary school age will be admitted free when accompanied by one adult)
Terrestrial Digital Broadcasts Begin July 24
Analogue broadcasting will end on Sunday, July 24, and digital broadcasting will begin the next day, ushering in the age of terrestrial digital broadcasts. After that date, analogue television sets will require the installation of a terrestrial digital broadcast tuner or other devices to receive broadcasts. A section will be set up in the first floor lobby of city hall, each ward office, and citizens’ centers from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. July 1 to August 26 to explain and give advice on receiving the new broadcasts. Meanwhile, trouble has arisen from companies pretending to be television ratings companies and illegally demanding money for the receipt of digital broadcasts. Remember that fees are not required for tuners receiving terrestrial digital broadcasts.
Reduced Rates for Night time Fishing
Fukuoka City’s Umizuri Park will charge reduced rates to fishermen using the park’s fishing pier between 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays from July 1 to August 31. Both the usual adult fee of ¥1,000 and the children’s fee of ¥500 will be halved to ¥500 and ¥250 respectively. The T-shaped piers at the park are made of steel and extend 386 meters out to the sea. One is six meters wide and 120 meters long, while the other is six meters wide and 180 meters long. Parrot fish, horse mackerel, sea bass, and flounder are in season from July through August. Anglers can either bring their own equipment and bait, or rent poles and buy bait at the shop in the park.
Telephone: 092-809-2666 (Fukuoka City Umizuri-Park)
Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (April to October)
The park is closed on Tuesdays and the days following public holidays. But open on Tuesdays in Aug. ~ Oct.
Fukuoka City Marathon 2011
Applications will soon be accepted for those wishing to run in the City Marathon Fukuoka 2011 on Sunday, October 23. Two five-kilometer marathons will be run after the 7:55 a.m. opening ceremony at the Yahoo Dome. Those wanting to run the half-marathon must be 18 years old or older, not in high school, and able to complete the course in 120 minutes. The participation fee is ¥4,000. The five-kilometer course is for children in junior high or high school able to complete the course in 40 minutes. The fee for junior high school students is ¥1,500 and that for high school students is ¥2.000. There is also a five-kilometer wheelchair course, which participants must be able to finish in 30 minutes. For details, call 0570-02-9526 or visit the website at ( http://runnet.jp/ ). Applications will be accepted from July 4 to August 3.
New Hazard Map for Floods
Heavy rainfalls of short duration concentrated in small areas can cause great damage. Therefore, Fukuoka City has created a Flood Hazard Map showing the areas where flooding is likely to occur during heavy rains, and information how to seek refuge. The map is being distributed to all households in the city. It is also available at all ward offices, branch offices, and the information plaza on the first floor of City Hall. It is possible to visually recognize the high and low land areas, so it will be a handy reference when deciding on the route for refuge. The back is used as a disaster prevention map showing sites where damage is expected to occur, as well as refuge sites. It’s a good idea to use the map to walk out the route from one’s home to a refuge in advance, avoiding bridges or low-lying areas that might be flooded.
YIPEE! FOR FREE!
Century Old Houses Offer a Reminder
Homes built in the old style dating back more than a century are now available for viewing in Taihaku-machi, Hakata-ku. In addition to hot water bottles and other items used in the home, visitors can see the air raid shelters dug during WWII. Those interested should call Hakata Ribaibaru Puran (in the Tateishi Gakubuchi Building) at 092-281-4008 in advance
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 (fn151, Jul. 2011)
