Selected news topics by Fukuoka Now from Fukuoka’s Shisei Dayori.
Experience Fukuoka’s Charm and Culture
Here are two events perfect for discovering Fukuoka. The first is the Hakata Jocho Meguri, in which visitors take a guided walking tour to learn about local culture and history. There are eight tour courses, including one for Hakata’s temples and shrines, and another for JR Hakata City. There’s also a special Hakata Kenban Geigi to Fureai course that focuses on local geisha. Check out the flyers at the city’s tourism office, the first floor information plaza at City Hall, and other locations for info on schedules and fees. The second is A Look Fukuoka, tours taking visitors to alluring but unknown spots and unique shops. There are 13 guided walking tours and 21 full day tours.
●Hakata Jocho Meguri: Tel: 092-3370-2759, Sep. 1 ~ Nov. 12 exclu. 2nd & 4th Tue.
●A Look Fukuoka: Tel: 092-441-2169 Web: www.fukunet.or.jp/alook/
Take the subway to the Hojoya at Hakozaki-gu for a taste of Fukuoka in the fall
The Hojoya is a well-known Hakata festival. The one-kilometer entryway to Hakozaki-gu lined with stalls is an impressive sight. Twelve extra subway trains run for an hour from 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Sat., Sep. 18, and Sun., Sep. 19 during the festival. Special all-day subway passes are sold at every station during these two days, costing ¥500 for adults and ¥250 for kids. Hakozaki-gu is a three-minute walk from the Hakozaki-mae Station. Don’t pass up the special offer to see the event.
Whales and the Japanese
The Fukuoka City Museum exhibit Japan and Whales shows the ties between the people and whales that have existed since the Jomon period. In addition to whaling equipment and items related to folk customs and beliefs and whales, there are also fossils of prehistoric whales of 16 million years ago and exhibits on the ecology of different species. On Sat., Sep. 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., there will be a song and taiko drum performance that is part of traditional whaling ceremonies in Hirado, Nagasaki Pref.
● Dates: Sat., Sep. 17 to Sun., Nov. 6
● 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (No admission after 5:00 p.m.)
● Closed Mon. and the day after hol.
● Fees: Adult ¥1,200 (¥1,000), Univ. & HS: ¥800 (¥600), Under MS: Free. Adv. fees in brackets.
25 Years of the Fukuoka Urban Beautification Award
The Fukuoka Urban Beautification Award is presented to buildings and neighborhoods that enhance the city’s beauty. It has been given 189 times since its founding in 1987. The 25th anniversary celebration this year will feature events to remind citizens of places that have received awards in the pas, instead of new awards. One will be a guided tour of award-winners and the others will be a photo contest for photographs taken after Apr. 1, 2010, and My Favorite City View Contest for selecting the best of the 189 award winners.
● Guided Tour & My Favorite City View Contest: Tel: 092-551-0825
● Photo Contest: Tel: 092-711-4395 Web: www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/jutaku-toshi/toshikeikan/
October Marathons
Japanese summers are so hot and muggy that fall is the best time for sports. Two marathons are scheduled for Oct., when the air is crisp and clear. Applications to run in both must be submitted in Sep.
Fukuoka Shikanoshima Kinin Marathon
● Date: Sun., Oct. 16
● Fee: ¥3,000 by post office account transfer by Sep.16
● Applications available at 1F Information Plaza in City Hall, and gyms in the city.
● Tel: 092-555-8843 (Office)
Asia Beauty Marathon (At Ohori Park, for women of primary school age or older)
● Date: Sat., Oct. 8
● Fee: ¥1,500
● Register as a member at the website (runnet.jp) and apply by Sep. 12
● Tel: 090-4485-4964 (Junior Chamber International Fukuoka Sports Culture Promotion Committee)
YIPEE! FOR FREE!
Useful and free training!
A free event will be held on Sun., Sep. 4, at Canal City Hakata for First Aid Day on Sep. 9. It will offer cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques, ambulance exhibits, and fire hose practice. Admission is for 15 people with numbered tickets from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tel: 092-725-6574 (First Aid Department)
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 (fn153, Sep. 2011)
