Fukuoka Topics | Fukuoka Now

: The Fukuoka Method: Advanced Waste Treatment

Sometimes things that seem commonplace to those of us who live in Fukuoka are considered remarkable in other parts of Japan. One example of this is the City’s trash collection system. Fukuoka’s nighttime trash collections are unusual in Japan; we are the only designated city that does this. Daytime collections can lead to traffic jams and crows scattering and eating trash, but these problems can be avoided by collecting trash at night.
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: Shofukuji: Japan’s First Zen Temple and the Origin of Tea Culture

　The Fukuoka City Museum is currently holding an exhibit called “The First Zen Temple Shofukuji” until June 16. As the title of this exhibit implies, Shofukuji Temple in Hakata-ku has the distinction of being Japan’s first Zen temple. The monk Eisai founded the temple in 1195 in order to spread the word of Zen, which he had learned in the southern Sung region of China. A framed inscription declaring Shofukuji as Japan’s first Zen temple hangs on the on the temple’s Sanmon Gate; it is said to have been written by Emperor Go-Toba.
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: Karatsu Kaido: A Major Artery for Ancient Travelers

A series of roads, or kaido, were built throughout Japan in the Edo Era for both feudal lords trekking to Edo and regular travelers. The most famous road in Kyushu was the Nagasaki Kaido, but there was also another road that ran through Fukuoka City: Karatsu Kaido. The road connected Karatsu in Saga prefecture to Kitakyushu via Hakata, and it was used by the lords of the Fukuoka and Karatsu domains for their trips to Edo. There were five rest areas along the Karatsu Kaido that now lie within the Fukuoka city limits: Hakozaki, Hakata, Fukuoka, Meinohama and Imajuku.
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: Sofukuji Temple—Final Resting Place of the Kuroda Clan

NHK has announced it will air “Gunshi Kanbei” (Kanbei, the Strategist), a serial drama depicting Kanbei Kuroda, the founding father of Fukuoka, next year. Kanbei (aka Yoshitaka) was born in Himeji, Harima Province (now Hyogo Prefecture). Later, he became a monk and assumed the name of Josui. Josui and his son Nagamasa were awarded Chikuzen Province (now part of Fukuoka Prefecture) for their role in securing victory at the Battle of Sekigahara, thus commencing the history of the Fukuoka Domain.
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: Setsubun—Heralding the Coming of Spring

Celebrated throughout Japan on Feb. 3, Setsubun is the day when people throw beans and chant “Out with the devil! In with luck!” to drive bad luck out of their homes. Fukuoka is famous for the Hakata Setsubun Festival held at Kushida Shrine. To enter the shrine, you must walk through the mouth of the largest otafuku (“smiling woman”) mask in Japan, which is thought to bring good luck and prosperity in business. Once inside, visitors can enjoy devils dancing and people born under the current Zodiac sign throwing beans.
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: Delicious Fruits and Vegetables from Fukuoka

Despite being the biggest city in Kyushu, Fukuoka is blessed with nature’s bounty. The city is known for its delicious dishes, but the secret lies with its fresh local ingredients. While it may be hard to imagine from the building-lined streets of the city center, there are many rice paddies and fields within the city limits where many different kinds of produce are grown. If you look, you will surely find plots of farmland in residential areas, along roads and in some other unexpected places.
　One of Fukuoka’s most famous vegetables, which is used regularly in winter hot pot, is shungiku, or chrysanthemum greens. People enjoy its unique aroma and flavor, and Hakata shungiku, which is grown within the city limits, is considered one of the more palatable varieties of the vegetable. Another local vegetable popular throughout Japan is the Hakata Banno Negi, a type of Welsh onion. Cultivated year-round, it is essential for seasoning soups and other dishes. A plethora of vegetables are grown in the city, including katsuona, a leafy green used in Hakata’s traditional New Year’s dishes and nutrient-rich broccoli.
　As for fruits, one must not forget Fukuoka’s famous Amaou brand strawberry. An acronym for amai (sweet), marui (round), ōkii (big) and umai (delicious), Amaou strawberries are known for being large and oh so sweet. The strawberry is so delicious that it became a nationwide hit soon after its inception, and Amaou are now even exported overseas. Fukuoka is also home to many citrus fruits, and one that has gained attention recently is the New Summer Orange, a specialty of Nokonoshima. With its refreshing flavor and mild acidity, it has quickly become another popular brand fruit.
　Many products using ingredients from Fukuoka have also started to hit the shelves. Amaou Liqueur and Hakata Itamemon Sauce, a sauce made from irregular sized onions, are just two examples. There are several produce stands and morning markets where you can buy fresh produce, so why don’t you try some of Fukuoka’s delicious fruits and vegetables?
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: The Kyushu Symphony Orchestra Fosters Musical Culture

Fukuoka has created many musicians and artists, many of whom have become prominent in classical music. Emblematic of that is the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra. Based in Fukuoka City, it has a rather long history for a regional orchestra. Its forerunner was established in 1953, and after a name change, it became an organization of professionals in 1973.
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: Hakata-ori’s close associations with Buddhism

The Hakata-ori woven textile is a traditional Hakata craft as well known as the Hakata ningyo dolls. It has been popular for centuries for use in kimono and obi as a silk textile due to its tensility and thickness of the fabric. It makes a distinctive sound when pulled tight. This sound, called “kinunari” (sometimes referred to as “scroop” in English), is a hallmark of the finest silk.
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: Fukuoka, the Wild Bird Paradise

Fukuoka City is known as Kyushu’s core urban area, but it might come as a surprise to know that it’s also a paradise for wild birds. In fact, it’s one of the best places in the country to observe wild birds. Birdathon competitions are now held to see who can spot the most species of wild birds in one day, and it’s not unusual for this total to exceed 100 in Fukuoka. That’s well known to the people whose hobby is bird watching, and people from all over the country flock to Fukuoka for birding.
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: The Appealing Hakozaki Shrine and its Historical Sakura Gate

Hojoya is a festival heralding the advent of autumn in Hakata. It is a lively event during which many open-air stalls line the approach to the Hakozaki shrine. Many people turn out in the evening, when the site is well-lit by lanterns. The festival is held to offer compassion to all life, and to admonish the taking of life. It has been held continuously for more than 1,000 years.
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