Selected news topics by Fukuoka Now from Fukuoka’s Shisei Dayori.
Asian Tropical Valley Zone Now Open
Fukuoka City Zoo, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, is home to elephants, giraffes and other animals popular with children. Some of the animals, like the gorillas and Arabian oryx, are the only ones in Kyushu. The Zoo recently completed the Asian Tropical Valley Zone, an “active exhibit” which recreates a tropical rainforest and shows how animals live in their natural habitat. New houses for the sun bears, leopards and hornbills provide visitors with an exciting, up-close experience. You can also enjoy vistas of the Zone from a new rest area.
Hakata Autumn Festa 2013
In October and November, a series of autumn themed events are held at tourist spots, temples and shrines around Hakata. At the Hakata Lantern Arts Festival (10/19, 18:00-21:00), rows of luminaria arranged to form patterns light up the streets and sites of Hakata. Other events include Hakata Light-Up Walk, a tour of illuminated temples (10/31~11/4, 18:00-21:00), the Nakasu Festival, featuring restaurants on the river and a pub crawl, and Oktoberfest—a celebration of German beer. Visit http://hakatanomiryoku.com/akihaku for details.
Public Lectures at Local Universities
Twenty universities in the metro Fukuoka area are now offering public lectures to local residents in an effort to present research output, interact with the community and contribute to continuing education. For details, please visit Fukuoka City’s Manabi-i learning portal at http://gakushu.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/
Health Awareness Month
Based on its Health Japan 21 City Plan, Fukuoka City is promoting a range of activities aimed at improving the health of its citizens, including check-ups for the early detection of lifestyle-related diseases. Coupled with the campaign to commemorate Fukuoka’s population topping 1.5 million, City Hall will run various fun health-related events throughout October and November. Health consultations and health food fairs will be held at the public health centers in each Ward. Contact the Health Section in your Ward for event schedules and other details.
Universal Fukuoka City Festival 2013
This festival will be held at various venues throughout the city until 10/27. On 10/27, the Universal Fukuoka City Awards will be presented, and Péter Frankl, a Hungarian mathematician and street performer, will give a special lecture. See http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/ucf/ for details.
Yipee! For FREE!
Environment Festival Fukuoka 2013
People of all ages can learn about the environment at this hands-on event. Held in the plaza on the west side of City Hall on 10/19~20 (10:00~16:00), there will be more than 40 booths offering a variety of activities as well as a mammoth—an animal thought to have gone extinct due to changes in the environment—made from recycled cardboard.
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 (fn178, Oct. 2013)
