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Fukuoka
Information
Introduction
Nature
Fukuoka City has an area of about 338 km2. The city is
located in the center of the cresent-shaped Fukuoka plain,
facing the Genkai Sea on the north surrounded by mountain
systems of Sefuri, Sangun, and Inunaki. The climate is
rather mild with the annual mean temperature of about
17 and is characteristic of the climate of the Japan Sea.
History
The city has the geographical advantage of being close
to the Korean Peninsula and the Chinese Continent and
has served as a gateway to import Asian continental cultures
from olden times. In the fourth century B.C., the first
rice cultivation in Japan began in this area. The golden
seal found in Shikanoshima Island is reliable evidence
that proves the exchange of continental cultures in the
first century. From the seventh century over to the eleventh
century, Korokan - an ancient guest - house - was the
hub of interchange. Later, in the sixteenth century, wealthy
merchants in Hakata went overseas seeking for profitable
business. In 1889, the twenty-second year of the Meiji
Era, Fukuoka City was born by the organization of a city
administration. In 1989, the Asia-Pacific Expo was held
to celebrate the First Centennial of the Fukuoka City
Administration.
Industry
The basics of the city's economy can be seen from the
gross city product. In 1994, it was about six trillion
two hundred billion yen and was equivalent to about 1.3
percent of the gross national product. Fukuoka City has
developed as a base in Western Japan including Kyushu
integrated with central government agencies, major company
branches, and financial and service trades. Now, the city
tries to financially rely on itself more by activating
existing industries and promoting the development of rising
urban industries such as the convention industry and information
industry, and also tries to diversify and stratify the
industrial structures.
Size and Population
Fukuoka has an area of 336. 50km square(129. 9mi. square)
and a population of 1, 270, 048 (as of January 1994),
making it the eighth largest city in Japan and the largest
city on the island of Kyushu. In terms of population,
Fukuoka is approximately the same size as Munich, Germany;
Brisbane, Australia; or the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas metropolitan
area in the United States.
Attraction
Guide
Fukuoka Tower Erected in 1989, Fukuoka Tower is constructed
of 8, 000 two-way mirrors and is referred to as "Mirror
Sail. "The tower was dedicated in commemoration of
the centenary of Fukuoka becoming a municipality. At 234
meters high, it is easily the tallest coastal tower in
Japan. The lookout, at a height of 123 meters, offers
views of the azure Genkai Sea and the far reaching outskirts
of Fukuoka City.
Marizon Pier These recreational
facilities, built on a pier in Momochi Seaside Park, feature
restaurants specializing in seafood, multi - purpose halls
and souvenir shops. Scuba diving training is also provided
at a diving pool.
Bayside Place Hakata Futoh
This stylish waterfront terminal, with its 18quaint specialty
stores and restaurants, features a dazzling aquarium with
over 1, 500 fish.
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
uminonakamichi Seaside Park Uminonakamichi peninsula,
bound on one side by the calm waters of Hakata Bay and
on the other by the Genkai Sea, is a nationally managed
recreation and resort area comprising 540 hectares (1.
334 acres). The amusement area's 100meter (328 ft. ) tall
ferris wheel, children's play area, six swimming pools,
miles of cycling courses and more offer fun for the entire
family.
Marine World This marine science
museum, in, the shape of a seashell, houses some 7, 000
marine creatures representing over 230 species. They can
be observed in the cylindrical aquarium (the largest in
Japan), a walk-through tunnel aquarium or the museum's
unique video camera equipped aquarium. Dolphin and sea
lion shows van also be enjoyed in an outdoor auditorium
seating 2, 000.
Ohori Park One of Japan's
noted parks, with its beautiful lake, it is said to be
a copy of Xi Hu in China. The park was constructed utilizing
the outer moat of Fukuoka Castle. Featuring a large central
lake of 2 km (1. 24 miles)in circumference, Ohori Park
is one if the prominent parks in Japan. Within the park
grounds are the city's Art Museum, Noh Theater, and Japanese
Garden, Located near the city center, this park is popular
with citizens as a place for strolling, jogging or boating.
Fukuoka Castle Ruins Adjacent to Ohoru Park,
are the ruins if Fukuoka Castle Which was built by Lord
Nagamasa Kuroda in the early 17th century. The main gate
and lookout tower of the castle, give us a glimpse if
the castle's former grandeur.
Tenjin Underground
Shopping Arcade With about 100 shops, this underground
shopping arcade features top men's and women's fashions,
shoes and accessories, books, and traditional Japanese
clothing, along with quiet coffee shops and restaurants.
The underground walkway, with some twenty exits, connects
to several buildings and the city subway making it quite
convenient for walking downtown.
Tenjin Nishi
and Oyafuko Avenues Locate in downtown Fukuoka, Tenjin
Nishi Avenue overflows with unique restaurants, bars,
and fashionable boutiques. The northern extension of this
street is known as Oyafuko Avenue and is popular with
the younger crowd for its abundant discos, inexpensive
night spots and restaurants.
Nakasu Bordered
in each side by the Naka and Hakata rivers, the small
island measuring only 250 meters(820 ft. )east to west
and 1, 500 meters(4920 ft. )north to south is Western
Japan's largest and most bustling entertainment district
with approximately 2, 500 restaurants and bars. Neon signs
reflecting off the Naka river and ambiance to the area
where many of the city's movie theaters are also located.
Yatai Street Stalls Famous in Fukuoka, some
230 Yatai streer stalls are wheeled out every evening
to serve up ramen noodles, Yakitori(bar-b-qued skeewers
of meat and vegetables), tempura(deep fried shrimp and
vegetables), as well as other dishes at reasonable prices.
Getting
Around
Access to and travel within Fukuoka has never been
easier. The major ports of entry of Fukuoka Airport, Hakata
Station and Hakata Port received over 82. 01 million passengers
in 1993. The efficient commuter train system, extensive
bus lines, and a clean and easy to understand city subway
make owning a car unnecessary.
JR Train Service
The recently remodeled Hakata Station is the main station
for all of Kyusyu island, offering JR train service to
all of the major cities of Kyusyu as well as many of the
lessor known areas. The clean and comfortable. Shinkansen
bullet train also begins here for trips to Hiroshima,
Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Tokyo and many points in between.
Newly erected English signs and a tourist information
center in the station concourse make traveling even easier
for the foreign visitor.
Inquiries about JR
lines JR West Japan (Shinkansen bullet train) 092
- 472 - 8426
JR Kyusyu (local line) 092 - 471 - 8111
Commuter
Train Lines Nishitetsu Railway Company operates two
private train lines which serve as commuter links to the
city. The Omuta Line connects downtown Fukuoka with the
city of Omuta located to the south of the prefecture.
The Miyajidake Line connects Kaizuka subway station with
the town of Tsuyazaki to the east of the city.
Subway The fastest way to get around the city as
well as to visit many of the tourist attractions is by
the modern and clean subway. The subway system has two
lines covering a total of 14. 5km(9 miles). The Kuko Line
links Fukuoka Airport with Meinohama via Hakata Station.
The recent extension of this line to the airport made
Fukuoka Airport the only airport in Japan served by a
subway line, and allows passengers to travel from the
airport to downtown in less than fifteen from the airport
to downtown in less than fifteen minutes. The second and
shorter Hakozaki Line links Nakasu Kawabata
with Kaizuka.
Trains operate from approximately 6:00A. M. to midnight
and come at intervals ranging from five to eight minutes.
English station and exit signs and an English announcement
on the subway make it simple to use by the foreign visitor.
Taxi Fukuoka City has an abundance of taxis
making it possible to catch one any time of day or night.
Taxi stands are located in front of all major hotels,
shopping areas, bus and train stations, and many government
and private buildings. Most taxis in Fukuoka have a multilingual
Question and Answer Driver Handbook written in Japanese,
English, Korean and Chinese to ease communication between
passengers and drivers.
Buses Two private
bus lines, Nishitetsu and Showa, serve nearly every corner
of the city and operate regularly from early morning to
nearly midnight. Two major bus stations one in downtown
Tenjin and the other adjacent to Hakata Station conveniently
link the train lines with the major bus routes. Each bus
is clearly marked with a number indicating its route,
and for easy traveling, passengers may purchase discount
tickets and bus cards giving the user a 10% to 15% discount
off the regular fare.
Ferry Services
Fukuoka City operated several ferry lines which serve
the local citizens and tourists. Ferry routes operate
between Meinohama and Nokonishima Island; and between
Hakata Wharf and Saitozaki, Shikanoshima Island and Uminonakamichi.
From mid-July to the end of August, the city operates
evening cruises on Hakata Bay. Lunch, dinner and night
cruise ship "Mariera. " Lunch and dinner cruises
operate throughout the year and night cruises operate
from mid - July to the end of August. For more information
or to make reservations in these cruises, call 751-7171.
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