All about Fukuoka

Fukuoka City lies on the northern coast of Kyushu, the southernmost of the four main islands of Japan. The population of the city is approximately 1.5 million people, making it the 5th largest city in Japan.
Being the closest major city in Japan to the Korean Peninsula and China, Fukuoka has from ancient times been a gateway for economic and cultural exchanges with its Asian neighbors. On the basis of these historical and geographical links, the city is working hard on many levels to strengthen its relationships with the rest of Asia, towards the goal of becoming a “focal point for the exchange of Asia” .

Fukuoka-Hub of a Powerful Economy

Fukuoka is the economic, administrative and cultural center of the island of Kyushu. Kyushu as a whole has a population of 13 million people and a land area of 42,231m².

Fukuoka-Center of International Exchange since Antiquity

The Gold Seal, a National Treasure, was originally presented to the King of Na (present day Fukuoka) by the Emperor of the Han Dynasty in AD 57. The Gold Seal is the most important artifact symbolizing the long history of exchange between Fukuoka and the Asian mainland.

Fukuoka-Climate

The Gold Seal, a National Treasure, was originally presented to the King of Na (present day Fukuoka) by the Emperor of the Han Dynasty in AD 57. The Gold Seal is the most important artifact symbolizing the long history of exchange between Fukuoka and the Asian mainland.

Fukuoka-Safe, Clean and Compact City with World Class Access

Fukuoka City is recognized as a safe, clean and compact city by many visitors to Fukuoka. This is for its easy access within the city. In 10-20 minutes from the airport, major accommodation and convention facilities along with tourist and after convention sites are located all within the city’s center.

Fukuoka- Rich and Varied Food Culture

You can enjoy the fresh seafood from the Genkai sea, the Tonkotsu Ramen (noodles in milky pork bones soup), Mizutaki (Hot pot dish of Fukuoka with boiled chicken), Fugu (Blowfish) Cuisine, the Hakata’s specialty from the yatai (street strolls), along with bars and restaurants in the largest entertainment quarter in Kyushu, Nakasu. Not just Fukuoka’s traditional dish, there are many restaurants serving dishes from all other the world, such as French, Italian, and Asian.
Our biggest festivals also have a history of hundreds of years, most of them maintaining its original forms. “Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival” held in July is an epic event started more than 770 years ago, and gives you an unforgettable impression of the medieval Japan reappearing in the modern city scape.

Hospitality of Festival-Loving Residents

Fukuoka holds many festivals and events each year. Some examples include the Hakata Dontaku Port Festival, the liveliest festival in Japan, more than 770 year old Hakata Gion Yamakasa, and the Asian Month where the art and cultures of various Asian countries are introduced for a month. Visitors are sure to be greeted with warm hospitality by these festival-loving people. These citizens helped volunteer for numbers of major conventions and were a key to a success in the congress.

Fukuoka City in Worldwide Media

Fukuoka often appears on ratings released by international magazines as one of the top cities in Asia, starting from Asiaweek in 1997, 1999, and 2000 and Newsweek 2006 issue, in which it was chosen as one of the World’s 10 Hottest Cities among other giants like Las Vegas, Munich and London.
The English magazine “MONOCLE”, which conducts a survey for 25 most livable cities in the world every year, also picks up Fukuoka regularly. In this year’s summer edition, the City was named as the 14th most livable city in the world, ranking higher than other big names like Hong Kong, Singapore and Paris.
MONOCLE introduced Fukuoka as “a model of urban renewal” and “a tourism dynamo”, referring to its City Hall’s unique initiatives including provision of a wider free wi-fi zone, renewal of the central park and forming a economic cooperative relationship with Busan Korea.

City with Abundant Experience in International Conventions

The number of international conventions held in Fukuoka City is increasing each year. In the survey held by JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) on the conventions held in Japan, Fukuoka has been ranked 2nd for two years in a row. National statistics also shows that Fukuoka is steadily growing in conventions and tourism.

Fukuoka-A City Where Tradition meets Urban Japan

Fukuoka is a city of modern life and momentous history at the same time. There are still many shrines and temples preserved in the city which are pleasant to take a walk around, but what’s really unique about this area of Japan is its unique history.
Because of its proximity to the Asian continent, Fukuoka and surrounding area developed as an international hub port for trades and human exchange. Recent researches proved that Kyushu was where the first kingdoms were formed in Japan’s history, which afterwards developed into the origin of the imperial government. Many of Fukuoka’s historic sites are the remembrance of such thousands years of history which could influence the origin of Japanese ethnicity itself.
Our biggest festivals also have a history of hundreds of years, most of them maintaining its original forms. “Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival” held in July is an epic event started more than 760 years ago, and gives you an unforgettable impression of the medieval Japan reappearing in the modern city scape.