{"id":72986,"date":"2025-10-30T10:00:51","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T01:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fukuoka-now.com?page_id=2"},"modified":"2025-10-30T10:39:52","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T01:39:52","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About Fukuoka Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to Fukuoka Now<\/strong>
\nFukuoka Now is where the pulse of Fukuoka and the spirit of Kyushu meet the world. We\u2019re a multilingual media platform built to tell real stories about life here \u2014 what\u2019s happening, what\u2019s changing, and what\u2019s worth your time.<\/p>\n

We started back in 1998 as a scrappy monthly print magazine, and by 1999, we were already online \u2014 long before social media made \u201clocal discovery\u201d a buzzword. Since then, we\u2019ve been sharing what makes this region tick: local news, seasonal guides, travel finds, food spots, and the events that bring the city together.<\/p>\n

Over the years, we\u2019ve earned the trust of both foreign residents and visitors, and we\u2019ve worked hand-in-hand with local governments and organizations to connect cultures and communities.<\/p>\n

Today, Fukuoka Now continues to evolve as the go-to guide for anyone curious about life in Japan\u2019s most forward-looking city \u2014 and the Kyushu beyond it.<\/p>\n

Company Overview<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u2022 Company Name: Fukuoka Now Ltd.
\n\u2022 Representative: Nicholas Szasz, Managing Director
\n\u2022 Address: One Fukuoka Bldg. 7F, 1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
\n\u2022 Founded: December 25, 1998 (Incorporated July 1999)
\n\u2022 Main Activities: Operation of multilingual media; content planning, editing, and marketing from a foreign perspective; promotions; event and tour planning and management (Registered Travel Service Arrangement Business, Fukuoka Prefectural Governor No. 45)<\/p>\n

Our Mission<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Since day one, our goal has been clear: to make life in Fukuoka and Kyushu richer, easier, and more connected for an international audience.<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t just share information \u2014 we help people live better here. Whether you\u2019re a long-term resident or a first-time visitor, we aim to be your most trusted source for what\u2019s new, what\u2019s local, and what\u2019s next in this region we call home.<\/p>\n

Our Policy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fukuoka and Kyushu never sit still \u2014 and neither do we. Our job is to keep up with the city\u2019s constant motion and share what matters, when it matters. That\u2019s why our site is always evolving. You might spot small tweaks or updates as we go \u2014 it\u2019s part of staying current.<\/p>\n

At the core, our mission is simple: empower through information. We want what we publish to be genuinely useful \u2014 accurate, practical, and on time. Whether you\u2019re planning a weekend trip, running a business, or just figuring out where to eat tonight, our goal is to help you do it better.<\/p>\n

And we\u2019re listening. Your ideas and feedback help shape what we do next \u2014 so drop us a line anytime through our contact page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sponsors<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fukuoka Now runs on collaboration. Our sponsors and partners share the same vision we do \u2014 connecting Fukuoka and Kyushu with the world.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re not just advertisers; they\u2019re part of the story. Together, we highlight what makes this region special and help shape a more open, connected, and globally minded community.<\/p>\n

Community<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fukuoka Now has always been a two-way street \u2014 built with our readers, not just for them. Every news tip, event post, and social share helps keep this community alive and buzzing.<\/p>\n

Join us on our website, Facebook, YouTube, The Now (our newsletter), and Now Map to spread the spirit of Fukuoka and Kyushu even further.<\/p>\n

Thanks for being part of it \u2014 and keep the ideas coming. We\u2019re listening<\/p>\n

Our History
\n\u2022 1998: Fukuoka Now<\/strong> magazine launched (Dec. 25)
\n\u2022 1999: Online edition launched
\n\u2022 2003: The Now<\/strong> newsletter and Fukuoka Canada Day Party Vol. 1 begin
\n\u2022 2006: Fukuoka International Business Association (FIBA<\/strong>) founded
\n\u2022 2007: 100th Issue Celebration
\n\u2022 2008: \u201cFukuoka Now \u00d7 With The Style\u201d party series begins (later Now Lounge)
\n\u2022 2009: Now Map<\/strong> launched
\n\u2022 2010: \u201cGaijin Idol\u201d (later Gaikokujin Star Tanjou) event begins
\n\u2022 2011: 10th Anniversary Party & event collaboration with JR Hakata City
\n\u2022 2019: Itoshima Now launched
\n\u2022 2020: Print magazine paused with Issue #256 due to the pandemic
\n\u2022 2023: Now Map revived after a pandemic break
\n\u2022 2024: Fukuoka Now Park Studio opened in Ohori Park
\n\u2022 2025: New office established in Tenjin (May)<\/p>\n

Fukuoka Now Media<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Fukuoka Now \u2013 Monthly Magazine (Print)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Before everything went digital, there was the magazine.
\nOur free multilingual print edition \u2014 published in English and Japanese \u2014 captured the buzz of Fukuoka\u2019s city life with maps, dining picks, event listings, and stories that celebrated the people behind them.<\/p>\n

You could find it in caf\u00e9s, bars, and schools where the city\u2019s international crowd gathered \u2014 and even farther afield, from San Francisco to Bangkok, at venues connected to Fukuoka\u2019s global community. At its peak, Fukuoka Now spoke six languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.<\/p>\n

By 2016, as major events like the <\/span>Lions Clubs Convention<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>America\u2019s Cup<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>G20 Finance Ministers Meeting<\/span><\/a>, and the <\/span>Rugby World Cup<\/span><\/a> came to town, the magazine evolved into Fukuoka\u2019s official guidebook for global visitors.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the pandemic hit, the print run paused after 256 issues \u2014 but the story didn\u2019t end there. Now Map returned in 2023, and our coverage now lives on through the web, social media, and video. The platform grew \u2014 the mission stayed the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25b6\ufe0e <\/span>All 256 back issues of Fukuoka Now magazine are available as PDFs.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Online Media Fukuoka Now<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Our website has been live since 1999 \u2014 practically the dawn of the internet era \u2014 and it\u2019s still the heartbeat of everything we do. Updated daily, it covers what\u2019s happening right now in Fukuoka: events, festivals, food, travel, culture, and local news that define the city\u2019s rhythm.<\/p>\n

The idea is simple: a city with something happening every day. Through that lens, we showcase the energy and diversity that make Fukuoka and Kyushu some of Japan\u2019s most dynamic regions \u2014 all told from an international point of view.
\n(Note: our community \u201cClassifieds\u201d section is currently on pause.)<\/p>\n

Now Map Fukuoka (Print)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If Fukuoka Now is the pulse, Now Map is the compass. First published in 2009, this bilingual sightseeing map has become a trusted guide for visitors and newcomers discovering Fukuoka.<\/p>\n

Issued twice a year \u2014 April and October \u2014 each edition is refreshed with updated maps and listings to keep everything current. It\u2019s also a go-to \u201comotenashi\u201d tool for local businesses welcoming international guests.<\/p>\n

Special editions, including an airport version distributed at Fukuoka Airport, help travelers hit the ground running.ally.<\/p>\n

\u25b6\ufe0e Now Map \u2013 Multilingual Free Map for Fukuoka<\/a><\/p>\n

Social Media<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Stay connected with us on Facebook<\/a>, X (formerly Twitter)<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a> \u2014 where Fukuoka\u2019s daily life plays out in real time.<\/p>\n

Our feeds mix news, humor, and the everyday stories that make this city feel alive \u2014 snapshots of the international community that calls Fukuoka home.<\/p>\n

And when things get serious \u2014 like during emergencies \u2014 we switch gears fast, delivering clear and reliable English updates you can count on.<\/p>\n

Kyushu Live \u2013 Connecting Kyushu and the World<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Kyushu Live brings Fukuoka and Kyushu to the world \u2014 one live stream at a time.<\/p>\n

Launched in January 2021<\/strong>, it\u2019s a narrated YouTube series that takes viewers beyond the guidebooks and straight into the streets, mountains, and coastlines of the region. Each episode feels like you\u2019re tagging along with a local \u2014 no filters, just real places and real moments.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019ve lived here, visited once, or are planning your first trip, Kyushu Live lets you experience the sights, sounds, and spirit of this region \u2014 and join the chat as it happens.<\/p>\n

\u25b6\ufe0e YouTube Channel: Kyushu Live<\/a><\/p>\n

Content & Production Services<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In addition to our own media platforms, Fukuoka Now provides content creation and production Fukuoka Now isn\u2019t just a media platform \u2014 it\u2019s also a creative engine.<\/p>\n

We produce content that connects cultures: concept planning, editing, translation, proofreading, design, and photography \u2014 all crafted with a mix of global experience and local insight.<\/p>\n

Our team collaborates with government agencies, tourism boards, and international brands to tell stories that move across languages and borders. Whether you\u2019re starting with a rough idea or a full campaign, we can help shape it from concept to completion.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s make something that speaks to both locals and the world.<\/p>\n

Travel Services<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Seeing Kyushu is one thing \u2014 experiencing it the right way is another.<\/p>\n

For international visitors, media crews, and study or inspection tours, Fukuoka Now offers tailored travel coordination and media support designed to go beyond the surface.<\/p>\n

Each project is personally led by our bilingual, bicultural director \u2014 someone who\u2019s spent decades building deep connections across the region. The result? Authentic, high-quality experiences that reveal Kyushu\u2019s culture, creativity, and character from the inside out.<\/p>\n

\u25b6\ufe0e Learn more about our Travel Services<\/a><\/p>\n

FIBA \u2013 Fukuoka International Business Association<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Behind every great city is a network that connects ideas to action.<\/p>\n

Founded in 2006, FIBA brings together internationally active executives based in Fukuoka, creating space for real business exchange and collaboration across Kyushu.<\/p>\n

Fukuoka Now serves as the association\u2019s secretariat, helping members tap into local insight, global perspective, and the partnerships that make business here thrive. FIBA also plays a quiet but crucial role \u2014 encouraging international companies to see Fukuoka not just as a destination, but as a place to build and grow.<\/p>\n

Current membership: 64 (as of October 2025)<\/p>\n

\u25b6\ufe0e FIBA \u2013 Fukuoka International Business Association<\/a><\/p>\n

Last Updated: October 30, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n

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Welcome to Fukuoka Now Fukuoka Now is where the pulse of Fukuoka and the spirit of Kyushu meet the world. We\u2019re a multilingual media platform built to tell real stories about life here \u2014 what\u2019s happening, what\u2019s changing, and what\u2019s worth your time. We started back in 1998 as a scrappy monthly print magazine, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"2","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-72986","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","en-US"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/72986","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72986"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/72986\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":173964,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/72986\/revisions\/173964"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}