Selected news topics by Fukuoka Now from Fukuoka’s Shisei Dayori.
Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival
The Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival will be held at Maizuru Park from Mar. 25 to Apr. 3. Cherry trees and castle ramparts will be lit up between 18:00 and 22:00, and there will be several food stalls. Coinciding with this, Korokan Plaza will open, and a new section next to the plaza will also be lit up. You can also pay ¥300 to enjoy a special light-up of the castle keep (18+ only).
Revamped Central Children’s Center to Open
On Apr. 1, a new and improved Central Children’s Center (aka Aikuru) for kids of all ages will open on the 5th to 7th floors of Nishitetsu Tenjin Class. Like the old center, kids can enjoy unicycling and roller skating on the rooftop. The 7th floor will have a multipurpose room with mirrors and practice handrails and a sound-proof music room where bands can rehearse. The new spaces are perfect for dancing, crafts and studying. Aikuru Tel./Fax: 092-741-3551, 1-19-22 Imaizumi; Closed: Mondays and the last day of every month (or the next weekday if this falls on a weekend)
NPO and Volunteer-Related Consultations
The Fukuoka NPO/Volunteer Exchange Center (aka Asumin) offers consultations and information on NPOs and volunteer opportunities, provides venues for meetings and assists with activities. On Apr. 1, the center will reopen on the 4th floor of Nishitetsu Tenjin Class (1-19-22 Imaizumi) with a bigger and better 80-person seminar room and 10-person meeting room. For more information, visit www.fnvc.jp. Asumin Tel.: 092-724-4801 (Closed: Every 4th Wednesday)
Having Trouble? Visit Your Local Ward Office or City Hall
Counselors and a variety of experts are on hand in the Citizen Consultation Sections at City Hall and each Ward Office to help you with your problems free of charge. These sections also distribute 40 tickets for free consultations at the Tenjin Lawyers Center (5 Watanabe-dori, Chuo-ku) starting on the first Friday of every month. Consultations with English (Mondays) and Chinese (Thursdays) interpreting are available at the Higashi Ward Office between 13:00 and 16:00. Consultation Hotline: 092-631-2192
Fukuoka City Public Library Hours to Be Extended
The Fukuoka City Public Library (3-7-1 Momochihama) turns 20 this year. In an effort to offer better service, the hours of operation will be extended one hour starting Apr. 1 (Tue. ~ Sat.: 10:00~20:00; Sun./Hol.: 10:00~19:00). The library is closed on Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a holiday) and the last day of every month.
Please Use Public Transportation
City Hall is undertaking a variety of measures to alleviate congestion in the city center and promote the use of public transportation. One of these is the Park-and-Ride initiative, a system of parking lots near train stations and bus stops for people transferring to public transport, offered in partnership with Aeon Mall Fukuoka Ito, Konoha Mall Hashimoto and Aeon Mall Kashiihama. Inquiries: Public Transportation Promotion Section (092-733-5405)
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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 (fn208, Apr. 2016)
