Fukuoka






Designated city in Kyushu, Japan


































































Fukuoka


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福岡市

Designated city
Fukuoka City

From top left: Yatai in Nakasu Fukuoka Castle, Hakozaki Shrine Tenjin, Hakata Gion Yamakasa Seaside Momochi and Fukuoka Tower
From top left: Yatai in Nakasu
Fukuoka Castle, Hakozaki Shrine
Tenjin, Hakata Gion Yamakasa
Seaside Momochi and Fukuoka Tower





Flag of Fukuoka
Flag

Official seal of Fukuoka
Seal

Location of Fukuoka in Fukuoka Prefecture
Location of Fukuoka in Fukuoka Prefecture




Fukuoka is located in Kyushu

Fukuoka

Fukuoka



Location of the city center in Kyushu

Show map of Kyushu



Fukuoka is located in Japan

Fukuoka

Fukuoka




Fukuoka (Japan)

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Fukuoka is located in Asia

Fukuoka

Fukuoka




Fukuoka (Asia)

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Coordinates: 33°35′N 130°24′E / 33.583°N 130.400°E / 33.583; 130.400Coordinates: 33°35′N 130°24′E / 33.583°N 130.400°E / 33.583; 130.400
Country Japan
Region Kyushu
Prefecture Fukuoka Prefecture
Government

 • Mayor
Sōichirō Takashima (since December 2010)
Area

 • Designated city
340.03 km2 (131.29 sq mi)
Population
(October 1, 2018)

 • Designated city
1,579,450
 • Density 4,361.53/km2 (11,296.3/sq mi)
 • Metro

5,590,378 (4th)
Time zone
UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
– Tree Camphor laurel
– Flower Camellia
– Bird Black-headed gull
Website www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp












Fukuoka

Fukuoka (Chinese characters).svg
"Fukuoka" in kanji

Japanese name
Kanji 福岡








Fukuoka (福岡市, Fukuoka-shi, Japanese: [ɸɯ̥kɯꜜoka]) is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture, situated on the northern shore of Japanese island Kyushu. It is the most populous city on the island, followed by Kitakyushu. It is the largest city and metropolitan area west of Keihanshin. The city was designated on April 1, 1972, by government ordinance. Greater Fukuoka, with a population of 2.5 million people (2005 census), is part of the heavily industrialized Fukuoka–Kitakyushu zone.


As of 2015[update], Fukuoka is Japan's sixth largest city, having passed the population of Kobe.[1] In July 2011, Fukuoka surpassed the population of Kyoto. Since the founding of Kyoto in 794, this marks the first time that a city west of the Kinki region has a larger population than Kyoto. In ancient times, however, the area near Fukuoka, the Chikushi region, was thought by some historians to have possibly been even more influential than the Yamato region.




Contents






  • 1 Pre-history


  • 2 History


    • 2.1 Mongol invasions (1274–1281)


    • 2.2 Formation of the modern city (1889)


    • 2.3 20th century


    • 2.4 21st century




  • 3 Geography


    • 3.1 Climate


    • 3.2 Earthquakes




  • 4 Wards


  • 5 Demographics


  • 6 Economy


  • 7 Culture


    • 7.1 Tourism


      • 7.1.1 Attractions




    • 7.2 Museums


    • 7.3 Festivals


      • 7.3.1 Yamakasa


      • 7.3.2 Hakata Dontaku




    • 7.4 Music




  • 8 Transport


  • 9 Sports


    • 9.1 Sports teams and facilities




  • 10 Education


  • 11 International relations


  • 12 Notable people from Fukuoka


  • 13 See also


  • 14 References


  • 15 External links





Pre-history


Exchanges from the continent and the Northern Kyushu area date as far back as Old Stone Age.[2] It has been thought that waves of immigrants arrived in Northern Kyushu from mainland Asia.[3] Several Kofun exist.



History



Fukuoka was sometimes called the Port of Dazaifu (大宰府), 15 km (9 mi) southeast from Fukuoka. Dazaifu was an administrative capital in 663 A.D., but a historian proposed that a prehistoric capital was in the area.[4] Ancient texts, such as the Kojiki, Kanyen (found in Dazaifu) and archaeology confirm this was a very critical place in the founding of Japan. Some scholars[5] claim that it was the first place outsiders and the Imperial Family set foot, but like many early Japan origin theories, it remains contested. Central Fukuoka is sometimes still referred as Hakata which is the name of the central ward.


In 923, the Hakozaki-gū in Fukuoka was transferred from Daibu-gū in Daibu (大分), 16 km (10 mi) northeast from Dazaifu, the origin of Usa Shrine and established as a branch of the Usa Shrine at Fukuoka.[6] In Ooho (大保), 15 km (9 mi) south from Dazaifu, there are remains of a big ward office with a temple, because in ancient East Asia, an emperor must have three great ministries (大宰, 大傳 and 大保). In fact, there is a record in Chinese literature that a king of Japan sent a letter in 478 to ask the Chinese emperor's approval for employing three ministries. In addition, remains of the Korokan (鴻臚館, Government Guest House) were found in Fukuoka underneath a part of the ruins of Fukuoka Castle.



Mongol invasions (1274–1281)



Kublai Khan of the Mongol Empire turned his attention towards Japan starting in 1268, exerting a new external pressure on Japan with which it had no experience. Kublai Khan first sent an envoy to Japan to make the Shogunate acknowledge Khan's suzerainty.[7] The Kamakura shogunate refused. Mongolia repeatedly sent envoys thereafter, each time urging the Shogunate to accept their proposal, but to no avail.


In 1274, Kublai Khan mounted an invasion of the northern part of Kyushu with a fleet of 900 ships and 33,000 troops, including troops from Goryeo on the Korean Peninsula.[8] This initial invasion was compromised by a combination of incompetence and severe storms. After the invasion attempt of 1274, Japanese samurai built a stone barrier 20 km (12 mi) in length bordering the coast of Hakata Bay in what is now the city of Fukuoka. The wall, 2–3 metres in height and having a base width of 3 metres, was constructed between 1276 and 1277, and was excavated in the 1930s.


Kublai sent another envoy to Japan in 1279. At that time, Hōjō Tokimune of the Hōjō clan (1251–1284) was the Eighth Regent. Not only did he decline the offer, but he beheaded the five Mongolian emissaries after summoning them to Kamakura. Infuriated, Kublai organized another attack on Fukuoka Prefecture in 1281, mobilizing 140,000 soldiers and 4,000 ships. The Japanese defenders, numbering around 40,000, were no match for the Mongols and the invasion force made it as far as Dazaifu, 15 km (9 mi) south of the city of Fukuoka. However, the Japanese were again aided by severe weather, this time by a typhoon that struck a crushing blow to the Mongolian troops, thwarting the invasion.


It was this typhoon that came to be called the Kamikaze (Divine Wind), and was the origin of the term Kamikaze used to indicate suicide attacks by military aviators of the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels during World War II.



Formation of the modern city (1889)




The Tenjin area





Fukuoka Tower





JR Kyushu's Hakata Station




Tenjin Underground City


Fukuoka was formerly the residence of the powerful daimyō of Chikuzen Province, and played an important part in the medieval history of Japan. The renowned temple of Tokugawa Ieyasu in the district was destroyed by fire during the Boshin War of 1868.


The modern city was formed on April 1, 1889, with the merger of the former cities of Hakata and Fukuoka. Historically, Hakata was the port and merchant district, and was more associated with the area's culture and remains the main commercial area today. On the other hand, the Fukuoka area was home to many samurai, and its name has been used since Kuroda Nagamasa, the first daimyō of Chikuzen Province, named it after his birthplace in Okayama Prefecture[9] and the "old Fukuoka" is the main shopping area, now called Tenjin.


When Hakata and Fukuoka decided to merge, a meeting was held to decide the name for the new city. Hakata was initially chosen, but a group of samurai crashed the meeting and forced those present to choose Fukuoka as the name for the merged city. However, Hakata is still used to refer to the Hakata area of the city and, most famously, to refer to the city's train station, Hakata Station, and dialect, Hakata-ben.



20th century



  • 1903: Fukuoka Medical College, a campus associated with Kyoto Imperial University, is founded. In 1911, the college is renamed Kyushu Imperial University and established as a separate entity.

  • 1910: Fukuoka streetcar service begins. (The service ran until 1979.)

  • 1929: Flights commence along the Fukuoka-Osaka-Tokyo route.

  • 1945: Saturation bombing of Japanese cities commences on Honshu, with Fukuoka also one of the targets.[9]

  • 1947: First Fukuoka Marathon.

  • 1951: Fukuoka airport opens.[10]

  • 1953: Fukuoka Zoo opens.

  • 1975: The city absorbed the town of Sawara.

  • 1981: Subway commences service.

  • 1988: Osaka's pro baseball team, the Nankai Hawks, are moved to Fukuoka and renamed the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (renamed the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2004).

  • 1989: Asian-Pacific Exposition is held.[11]

  • 1997: The 30th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank was held in Fukuoka.



21st century



  • 2005: Fukuoka subway Nanakuma Line started operations.

  • 2014: Selected as the National Strategic Zone for "global startups & job creation" by the Japanese government.[12]



Geography


Fukuoka is bordered on three sides by mountains, surrounds Hakata Bay and opens on the north to the Genkai Sea.


It is located 1,100 km (684 mi) from Tokyo.



Climate


Fukuoka has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa), hot humid summers, and relatively mild winters.[13] The city also sees on average about 1,600 mm (63 in) of precipitation per year, with a stretch of more intense precipitation between the months of June and September. Along with much of the prefecture, Fukuoka City has a moderate climate with an annual average temperature of 16.3 °C (61 °F), average humidity of 70% and 1,811 annual daylight hours. Roughly 40% of the year is cloudy.


Winter temperatures rarely drop below 0 °C (32 °F) and it rarely snows, though light rain does fall on most days if not as consistently as on the Sea of Japan side of Honshu.[14] Spring is warm and sunnier, with cherry blossoms appearing in late March or early April. The rainy season (tsuyu) lasts for approximately six weeks through June and July, during which time the humidity is very high and temperatures hover between 25 °C (77 °F) and 30 °C (86 °F). Summers are humid and hot, with temperatures peaking around 37 °C (99 °F). Autumn, often considered to be Fukuoka's best season, is mild and dry, though the typhoon season runs between August and September.





































































































































































































Climate data for Fukuoka, Fukuoka (1981–2010)
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high °C (°F)
21.5
(70.7)
24.3
(75.7)
26.3
(79.3)
30.1
(86.2)
32.3
(90.1)
37.3
(99.1)
38.3
(100.9)
38.1
(100.6)
36.5
(97.7)
33.3
(91.9)
28.2
(82.8)
23.5
(74.3)
38.3
(100.9)
Average high °C (°F)
9.9
(49.8)
11.1
(52.0)
14.4
(57.9)
19.5
(67.1)
23.7
(74.7)
26.9
(80.4)
30.9
(87.6)
32.1
(89.8)
28.3
(82.9)
23.4
(74.1)
17.8
(64.0)
12.6
(54.7)
20.9
(69.6)
Daily mean °C (°F)
6.6
(43.9)
7.4
(45.3)
10.4
(50.7)
15.1
(59.2)
19.4
(66.9)
23.0
(73.4)
27.2
(81.0)
28.1
(82.6)
24.4
(75.9)
19.2
(66.6)
13.8
(56.8)
8.9
(48.0)
17.0
(62.6)
Average low °C (°F)
3.5
(38.3)
4.1
(39.4)
6.7
(44.1)
11.2
(52.2)
15.6
(60.1)
19.9
(67.8)
24.3
(75.7)
25.0
(77.0)
21.3
(70.3)
15.4
(59.7)
10.2
(50.4)
5.6
(42.1)
13.6
(56.5)
Record low °C (°F)
−6.0
(21.2)
−8.2
(17.2)
−4.7
(23.5)
−1.4
(29.5)
1.4
(34.5)
4.3
(39.7)
13.8
(56.8)
15.4
(59.7)
7.9
(46.2)
0.4
(32.7)
−2.1
(28.2)
−5.4
(22.3)
−8.2
(17.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
68.0
(2.68)
71.5
(2.81)
112.5
(4.43)
116.6
(4.59)
142.5
(5.61)
254.8
(10.03)
277.9
(10.94)
172.0
(6.77)
178.4
(7.02)
73.7
(2.90)
84.8
(3.34)
59.8
(2.35)
1,612.3
(63.48)
Average snowfall cm (inches)
2
(0.8)
1
(0.4)
1
(0.4)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
4
(1.6)
Average precipitation days
11.0
10.1
12.9
11.0
10.7
12.4
11.9
10.4
10.9
7.3
9.7
10.3
128.7
Average snowy days
6.9
4.3
1.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
3.8
17.1
Average relative humidity (%)
63
63
65
65
68
74
75
72
73
67
67
64
68
Mean monthly sunshine hours
102.1
121.0
149.8
181.6
194.6
149.4
173.5
202.1
162.8
177.1
136.3
116.7
1,867
Source: [15]


Earthquakes



Fukuoka is not as seismically active as many other parts of Japan, but does experience occasional earthquakes. The most powerful recent earthquake registered a lower 6 of maximum 7 of the Japanese intensity scale and hit at 10:53 am local time on March 20, 2005, killing one person and injuring more than 400.[16] The epicentre of the earthquake was in the Genkai Sea along a yet-undiscovered extension of the Kego fault that runs through the centre of Fukuoka. Genkai island, a part of Nishi-ku, was the most severely damaged by the earthquake and almost all island residents were forced to evacuate. Aftershocks continued intermittently throughout the following weeks as construction crews worked to rebuild damaged buildings throughout the city. Traditional Japanese houses, particularly in the areas of Daimyo and Imaizumi, were the most heavily damaged and many were marked for demolition, along with several apartment buildings. Insurance payments for damages were estimated at approximately 15.8 billion yen.[17]


A similar quake, with an intensity of 5+, also occurred one month later on April 20, 2005.


Fukuoka's major Kego fault runs northwest to southeast, roughly parallel to Nishitetsu's Ōmuta train line, and was previously thought to be 22 km (14 mi) long. It is estimated to produce earthquakes as strong as magnitude 7 at the focus approximately once every 15,000 years. If the focus were located at a depth of 10 km (6 mi), this would translate to an earthquake of a lower-6 magnitude (similar to the March 20, 2005 earthquake) in downtown Fukuoka if it were the epicenter. The probability of an earthquake along the known length of the Kego fault occurring within 30 years was estimated at 0.4% prior to the March 20, 2005 earthquake, but this probability has been revised upwards since. Including the new extension out into the Genkai Sea, the Kego fault is now thought to be 40 km (25 mi) long.


Following reports that the city has only prepared for earthquakes up to a magnitude of 6.5, several strong aftershocks renewed fears that the quakes might cause the portion of the Kego fault that lies under the city to become active again, leading to an earthquake as big as, or bigger than, the March 20 quake.[citation needed]



Wards



























































Fukuoka has 7 wards (ku):
Ward
Population
Land area
Pop. density

Wards of Fukuoka City Japan.png


as of August 1, 2010

km2

per km2

Japan WardColour 100x0x0.png Higashi-ku
291 749
66.68
4 375.36

Japan WardColour 60x80x0.png Hakata-ku
212 108
31.47
6 740.01

Japan WardColour 0x40x100.png Chūō-ku
(administrative center)
176 739
15.16
11,658.24

Japan WardColour 100x80x0.png Minami-ku
248 901
30.98
8 034.25

Japan WardColour 100x40x0.png Jōnan-ku
128 883
16.02
8 045.13

Japan WardColour 20x80x40.png Sawara-ku
211 889
95.88
2 209.42

Japan WardColour 100x40x100.png Nishi-ku
190 288
83.81
2 270.47


Demographics


As of November 2018[update], the city had an estimated population of 1,581,527 and a population density of 4,515.64 persons per km2.[18] The total area is 340.60 square kilometres (131.51 sq mi). Fukuoka is Japan's youngest major city and has Japan's fastest growing population.[19] Between December, 2012 and December, 2017, the proportion of foreign-born residents increased faster than any other major city in Japan, including Tokyo.[20]


A government survey of 2013 found Fukuoka has 217 homeless.[21]



Economy




Fukuoka MEA


Fukuoka is the economic center of the Kyushu region, with an economy largely focused on the service sector. Fukuoka city is also the largest startup city in Japan, and is the only economic zone for startup.[22] They have various services for startups like startup visa, tax reduction, and free business consultations for startups. Fukuoka city has the number one opening business rate in Japan.[23] Large companies headquartered in the city include Iwataya and Kyushu Electric Power. Fukuoka is also the home of many small firms playing a supportive role in the logistics, IT, and high-tech manufacturing sectors. Most of the region's heavy manufacturing takes place in the nearby city of Kitakyushu. The GDP in Greater Fukuoka, Fukuoka Metropolitan Employment Area, was US$101.6 billion in 2010.[24][25]


Several regional broadcasters are based in the city, including Fukuoka Broadcasting Corporation, Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting, Love FM, RKB Mainichi Broadcasting, and Television Nishinippon Corporation.


The port of Hakata and Fukuoka Airport also make the city a key regional transportation hub. Fukuoka houses the headquarters of Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) and Nishi-Nippon Railroad. Air Next, a subsidiary of All Nippon Airways, is headquartered in Hakata-ku;[26] prior to its dissolution, Harlequin Air was also headquartered in Hakata-ku.[27]


Fukuoka has its own stock exchange, founded in 1949. It is one of six in Japan.[28]



Culture


Fukuoka was selected as one of Newsweek's 10 "Most Dynamic Cities" in its July 2006 issue.[29] It was chosen for its central Asian location, increasing tourism and trade, and a large increase in volume at its sea and airport. Fukuoka has a diverse culture and a wide range of cultural attractions.


In its July/August 2008 issue, Monocle selected Fukuoka as number 17 of the "Top 25 liveable cities".[30] It was chosen for excellent shopping, outstanding food, good transport links, good museums, "a feeling of openness in its sea air", green spaces and because it's friendly, safe, clean and close to the rest of East Asia.[31] The same survey in 2018 featured Fukuoka at number 22.[32]



Tourism



Fukuoka hosts more than 2 million foreign visitors annually, with the majority coming from neighboring South Korea, Taiwan and China.[33] From the early 2010s Hakata became the beneficiary of significant growth in cruise ship tourism; particularly with visitors from China. After expansion and redevelopment of the Hakata Port international passenger ship terminal, the number of cruise ship port calls in 2016 is expected to exceed 400.[34]


Nearly ten thousand international students attend universities in or near the Fukuoka prefecture each year.[35] Nearly 200 international conferences are held each year in Fukuoka.[36]



Attractions


Sky Dream Fukuoka, in Fukuoka's western ward, was one of the world's largest Ferris wheels at a height of 120 meters. It was closed on September 2009. The surrounding shopping center, Marinoa City Fukuoka, still attracts millions of visitors each year. Other shopping centers that attract tourists include Canal City, JR Hakata City, and Hakata Riverain.[37]





Canal City Hakata


Fukuoka Castle, located adjacent to Ohori Park in Maizuru Park, features the remaining stone walls and ramparts[38] left after a devastating fire during the upheaval of the Meiji Restoration. It has now been preserved along with some reconstructed prefabricate concrete towers constructed during the 1950s and 1960s, when there was a trend across Japan to rebuild damaged castles as tourist attractions. Ōhori Park is also the location of one of Fukuoka City's major art galleries.


There are many temples with long histories including Tōchō-ji, Hakozaki shrine, Kashii shrine, and Jōten-ji.





Hakata Ramen


The Marine Park Uminonakamichi is located on a narrow cape on the northern side of the Bay of Hakata. The park has an amusement park, petting zoo, gardens, beaches, a hotel, and a large marine aquarium which opened in 1989.[39]


For tourists from other parts of Japan, local foods such as mentaiko, Hakata ramen and motsunabe are associated with Fukuoka. Yatai (street stalls) serving ramen can be found in Tenjin and Nakasu most evenings.


Fukuoka Tower is near the beach in Seaside Momochi, a development built for the 1989 Asia-Pacific Exhibition. The older symbol of the city, Hakata Port Tower is next to the international ferry terminal, and is free to enter.


Itoshima, to the west of Fukuoka city, has recently become a very popular tourist destination. There are many beaches along the coast, notably Futamigaura beach, where there is a famous Shinto shrine in the ocean, and Keya beach, which hosts the annual Sunset Live festival every September. Inland, there is the Shingon Buddhist temple called Raizan Sennyoji, where there are many Buddhist statues and stunning autumn foliage.[40]


The Buddhist Nanzoin temple is located in Sasaguri, just east of Fukuoka. It is claimed to be the largest statue of a reclining Buddha in the world.


There is a newly opened Kyushu National Museum in nearby Dazaifu.[41]



Museums




Fukuoka City Museum




  • Fukuoka Art Museum – In Ohori Park; contains a wide selection of contemporary and other art from around the world, including works by Mark Rothko, Roy Lichtenstein, and Salvador Dalí.

  • Fukuoka Asian Art Museum – contains art from various countries of Asia.


  • Fukuoka City Museum – displays a broad range of items from the region's history, including a spectacular gold seal.

  • Fukuoka Oriental Ceramics Museum

  • Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art

  • Genko Historical Museum (元寇史料館, Museum of the Mongol Invasion) – In Higashi Koen (East Park); displays Japanese and Mongolian arms and armor from the 13th century as well as paintings on historical subjects. Open on weekends.

  • Hakata Machiya Folk Museum – Dedicated to displaying the traditional ways of life, speech, and culture of the Fukuoka region.


The Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize was established to honor the outstanding work of individuals or organizations in Asia.



Festivals




Hakata Gion Yamakasa


Fukuoka is home to many festivals (matsuri) that are held throughout the year. Of these, the most famous are Hakata Dontaku and Hakata Gion Yamakasa.



Yamakasa


Yamakasa (山笠), held for two weeks each July,[42] is Fukuoka's oldest festival with a history of over 700 years. The festival dates back to 1241 when a priest called Shioichu Kokushi saved Hakata from a terrible plague by being carried around the city on a movable shrine and throwing water.[43][44] Teams of men (no women, except small girls, are allowed), representing different districts in the city, commemorate the priest's route by racing against the clock around a set course carrying on their shoulders floats weighing several thousand pounds. Participants all wear shimekomi (called fundoshi in other parts of Japan), which are traditional loincloths.


Each day of the two-week festival is marked by special events and practice runs, culminating in the official race that takes place the last morning before dawn. Tens of thousands line the streets to cheer on the teams. During the festival, men can be seen walking around many parts of Fukuoka in long happi coats bearing the distinctive mark of their team affiliation and traditional geta sandals. The costumes are worn with pride and are considered appropriate wear for even formal occasions, such as weddings and cocktail parties, during the festival.




Hakata Dontaku


Hakata Dontaku (博多どんたく) is held in Fukuoka City on May 3 and 4. Boasting over 800 years of history, Dontaku is attended by more than 2 million people, making it the festival with the highest attendance during Japan's Golden Week holidays. During the festival, stages are erected throughout downtown for traditional performances and a parade of floats is held. The full name is Hakata Dontaku Minato Matsuri.[45]


The festival was stopped for seven years during the Meiji era. Since it was restarted in the 12th year of the Meiji era it has been known as Hakata Dontaku.



Music


Notable musical names in J-pop include Ayumi Hamasaki (allegedly Japan's richest woman), singer-songwriter Ringo Shiina, hugely popular singer-songwriter duo Chage & Aska, singer-songwriter Eri Nobuchika, Misia and Yui. During the 1970s, local musicians prided themselves on their origins and dubbed their sound, Mentai Rock.


Morning Musume 6th generation member Reina Tanaka was also born here in 1989 along with 9th generation member Erina Ikuta in 1997.


Dominican songwriter and singer Juan Luis Guerra pays homage to the city in his bachata song Bachata en Fukuoka (2010).


HKT 48 have their own Theater at Nishitetsu Hall.



Transport




International terminal of Fukuoka Airport




Bayside Place Hakata Port





Fukuoka Dome





Level-5 Stadium



Fukuoka is served by Fukuoka Airport, the San'yō Shinkansen and the Kyushu Shinkansen high-speed rail line and other JR Kyushu trains at Hakata Station and by ferry. JR Kyushu and a Korean company operate hydrofoil ferries (named Beetle and Kobee) between Hakata and Busan, South Korea. The city has three subway lines, and the newest one, Subway Nanakuma Line, opened on February 2, 2005. A private railway line, run by Nishitetsu is also heavily used and connects the downtown area of Tenjin to the city of Ōmuta.



Sports


Fukuoka is the home of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, one of Japan's top professional baseball teams. Threatened with bankruptcy and forced by its creditors to restructure, former owner Daiei sold the Hawks to Softbank Capital in 2004.


Fukuoka is home to a professional football team, Avispa Fukuoka.


Annual sporting events include:



  • The All Japan Judo Category Championships are held in early April.

  • The Kyushu ekiden, beginning in Nagasaki and ending in Fukuoka, the world's longest relay race, held in October. (Defunct)

  • The November tournament of professional Sumo is held at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center.


  • Fukuoka International Open Marathon Championships, with start/finish at Heiwadai Athletic Stadium, held on the 1st Sunday of December.


Fukuoka has hosted the following sporting events:



  • 1983 Asian Volleyball Championship for Women

  • 1995 Summer Universiade

  • 1997 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships

  • 1998 Women's Volleyball World Championship

  • 1999 Asian Basketball Championship


  • 2001 World Aquatics Championships.


  • 2006 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

  • Fukuoka International Women's Judo Championships from 1983 to 2006.

  • 2013-14 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final



Sports teams and facilities




















































Club
Sports
League
Venue
Established

Kyuden Voltex

Rugby

Top League

Level-5 Stadium
1951

Coca-Cola Red Sparks

Rugby

Top League
Sawayaka Sports Park
1966

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

Baseball

Pacific League

Fukuoka Yahuoku! Dome
1989 (year of relocation from Ōsaka as Daiei Hawks, changed to current name from 2005)

Avispa Fukuoka

Association football

J. League

Level-5 Stadium
1995 (year of relocation from Fujieda, Shizuoka as Fukuoka Blux, changed to current name from 1996)

Fukuoka J-Anclas

Association football

Nadeshiko League
Level-5 Stadium
1986 (as Fukuoka Jogakuin High School football club, changed to a senior club team and participated Nadeshiko League Div. 2 from 2006)

Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka

Basketball

B.League
Accion Fukuoka
2007


Education


Fukuoka City operates all public elementary and junior high schools, while the prefecture operates the high schools.


National Universities


  • Kyushu University (九州大学, Kyushu Daigaku)

    • Kyushu Institute of Design (九州芸術工科大学, Kyushu Geijutsu Kōka Daigaku) – merged with Kyushu University on October 2003


Prefectural University


  • Fukuoka Women's University (福岡女子大学, Fukuoka Joshi Daigaku)

Private Universities



  • Daiichi University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (第一薬科大学, Daiichi Yakka Daigaku)


  • Fukuoka Institute of Technology (福岡工業大学, Fukuoka Kōgyō Daigaku)


  • Fukuoka Jo Gakuin University (福岡女学院大学, Fukuoka Jogakuin Daigaku)


  • Fukuoka University (福岡大学, Fukuoka Daigaku)


  • Kyushu Sangyo University (九州産業大学, Kyushu Sangyō Daigaku)


  • Nakamura Gakuen University (中村学園大学, Nakamura Gakuen Daigaku)


  • Seinan Gakuin University (西南学院大学, Seinan Gakuin Daigaku)


Colleges



  • Fukuoka College of Health Sciences (福岡医療短期大学, Fukuoka Iryō Tanki Daigaku)

  • Fukuoka Institute of Technology, Junior college (福岡工業大学短期大学部|Fukuoka Kōgyō Daigaku Tanki Daigakubu)


  • Junshin Junior College (純真短期大学, Junshin Tanki Daigaku)


  • Koran Women's Junior College (香蘭女子短期大学, Kōran Joshi Tanki Daigaku)


  • Kyushu Zokei Art College (九州造形短期大学, Kyushu Zōkei Tanki Daigaku)


  • Nakamura Gakuen Junior College (中村学園大学短期大学部, Nakamura Gakuen Daigaku Tanki Daigakubu)


  • Nishinihon Junior College (西日本短期大学, Nishi Nihon Tanki Daigaku)


  • Seika Women's Junior College (精華女子短期大学, Seika Joshi Tanki Daigaku)


Catholic schools

  • Sophia Fukuoka Junior and Senior High School


International relations


Fukuoka has nine sister cities.[46]








  • Atlanta, United States


  • Auckland, New Zealand


  • Bordeaux, France (1982)[47][48]


  • Busan, South Korea





  • Delhi, India (2007)[49]


  • Guangzhou, China (1979)[50]


  • Ipoh, Malaysia


  • Oakland, California, United States


  • Yangon, Myanmar



The city established the Asian Pacific City Summit in 1994. It consists of 26 Asia-Pacific cities.



Notable people from Fukuoka





  • Nao Sakuma (principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet)


  • Jirō Akagawa (novelist)


  • Aska (singer) (Chage and Aska)


  • Sonny Chiba (actor, singer, film producer, film director, and martial artist)


  • Kaibara Ekken (Neo-Confucianist philosopher)


  • Noriko Fukuda (TV announcer)


  • Kenji Hamada (voice actor)


  • Ayumi Hamasaki (J-pop singer)


  • Angela Harry (model and actress)


  • Kiyoshi Hikawa (enka singer)


  • Kōki Hirota (politician: 32nd Prime Minister of Japan)


  • Yōsuke Ideguchi (Footballer for Leeds United)


  • Erina Ikuta (J-pop singer and member of Morning Musume)


  • Tomo Inouye (medical doctor)


  • Gakuryū Ishii (film director)


  • Ryo Ishibashi (actor / musician )


  • Ai Kawashima (singer-songwriter)


  • Yoshinori Kobayashi (manga artist)


  • Misia (J-pop singer)


  • Kenzo Nakamura (Judo athlete)


  • Ai Nonaka (voice actor)


  • Yukari Oshima (actress)


  • Victoria Principal (American actress)


  • Noriko Sakai (singer and actress)


  • Kensuke Sasaki (professional wrestler)


  • Kōji Seto (actor)


  • Sui Ishida (manga artist)


  • Ringo Shiina (J-pop singer born in Saitama Prefecture and raised in Fukuoka)


  • Keita Tachibana (J-pop singer and member of W-inds)


  • Akitomo Takeno (basketball player)


  • Dan Takuma (businessman)


  • Tamori (TV presenter)


  • Reina Tanaka (J-pop singer and a member of Morning Musume) and Lovendor


  • Ryoko Tani (judo athlete)


  • Rintaro Tokunaga (basketball player)


  • Ryutaro Umeno (baseball player for the Hanshin Tigers)


  • Masaaki Yuasa (director)


  • Yui (singer)


  • Yumeno Kyūsaku (novelist)


  • Elaiza Ikeda (model and actress)


  • HKT48 (idol group)


  • Kanikapila (rock band)


  • Sayuri (singer/songwriter)


  • Polkadot Stingray (rock band)




See also



  • Fukuoka mayoral election, 2006

  • List of Places of Scenic Beauty of Japan (Fukuoka)

  • List of Historic Sites of Japan (Fukuoka)



References





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  3. ^ "Austronesia".


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  9. ^ ab "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-04-08. Retrieved 2016-03-26.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)


  10. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2016-04-01.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)


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  17. ^ 地震保険について. Nongovernmental crisis Management & Regeneration Organization (NPO).
    Archived 2009-01-06 at the Wayback Machine".



  18. ^ 福岡市 福岡市推計人口(最新). www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp. Retrieved 2018-11-19.


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  22. ^ 国家戦略特区「福岡市 グローバル創業・雇用創出特区」(PDF). 国家戦略特区「福岡市 グローバル創業・雇用創出特区」. Fukuoka city government. June 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2016.


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  24. ^ Yoshitsugu Kanemoto. "Metropolitan Employment Area (MEA) Data". Center for Spatial Information Science, The University of Tokyo.


  25. ^ Conversion rates – Exchange rates. OECD Data.


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  29. ^ Newsweek Print Article, Accessed November 15, 2008


  30. ^ Telegraph.co.uk Accessed November 15, 2008


  31. ^ Monocle, July/August 2008, issue 15, volume 02, page 26


  32. ^ [1] Accessed November 11, 2018


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  35. ^ http://www.kokusaihiroba.or.jp/english/city/data.html Trend in the Number of Foreign Residents Registered in Fukuoka Prefecture (as of end of December 2009)


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  38. ^ ], Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization [ Japan. "FUKUOKA CASTLE RUINS|SIGHTSEEING SPOTS|Kyushu Tourism Information [ Japan ]". Kyushu Tourism Information [ Japan ].


  39. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-19. Retrieved 2016-03-26.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)


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  49. ^ "SISTER-CITY AGREEMENTS/ MEMORANDUM". Department of Urban Development, Government of Delhi. Retrieved 28 February 2017.


  50. ^ "Guangzhou Sister Cities[via WaybackMachine.com]". Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 2013-07-21.




External links
















  • Fukuoka City official website (in Japanese)

  • Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Official Tourism Site of Fukuoka City

  • Fukuoka Now












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