Fukuoka, Japan

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Fukuoka, Japan

Region: Fukuoka Prefecture

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Geographic Coordinates: 33.583300, 130.400000

Climate: Seasonal variations in Fukuoka’s climate include hot and humid summers, mild winters, and rainy seasons in June and September.

Population: 2286000

Language: Japanese

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Fukuoka is a lively city located on the northern coast of Kyushu Island, Japan. It is the biggest city in Kyushu and one of Japan’s most populous cities, With over 1.5 million residents. Fukuoka has an intriguing history dating back to the 7th century when it was established as Dazaifu, A center for government and trade in ancient Japan. Presently, Fukuoka is renowned for its modernity and liveliness. The city has various shopping centers, Restaurants serving delicious local cuisine, And exciting nightlife options that cater to all tastes.

One of the most popular areas for tourists is Tenjin district which offers a variety of shopping options including department stores such as Mitsukoshi and Daimaru. Fukuoka also has plenty to offer in terms of cultural attractions. Visitors can explore historical sites such as Fukuoka Castle ruins or visit museums like Fukuoka Asian Art Museum which showcases contemporary art from across Asia. Those interested in traditional Japanese culture can attend tea ceremonies or watch performances by geishas at Hakata Traditional Craft Center. One unique aspect of Fukuoka’s culture is its food scene.

The city has become famous for its signature dish called Hakata ramen – thin noodles served in pork broth with various toppings such as sliced pork belly or green onions – which can be found at countless ramen shops throughout the city. Despite being a bustling metropolis, Fukuoka also offers plenty of natural beauty nearby that visitors can enjoy during their stay. Nokonoshima Island situated just off the coast features stunning flower gardens that bloom year-round while Uminonakamichi Seaside Park provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities like cycling or picnicking. one cannot talk about Fukuoka without mentioning its famous festivals.

The city hosts several events throughout the year, Including the Hakata Dontaku Festival which takes place every May and features colorful parades, Dancing, And traditional music. Another popular festival is Yamakasa which occurs in July and involves teams of men racing through the streets carrying large floats. Fukuoka is a vibrant city that offers something for everyone – from history buffs to foodies to nature lovers. Its unique blend of modernity and tradition makes it an ideal destination for those looking to experience Japan’s rich culture while also enjoying its dynamic urban landscape.

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1. Fukuoka Tower
2. Ohori Park
3. Canal City Hakata
4. Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
5. Fukuoka Castle Ruins (Maizuru Park)
6. Kushida Shrine
7. Yanagawa River Cruises
8. Kyushu National Museum
9. Robosquare
10. Nokonoshima Island Park

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1. Automotive industry:
   • Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
   • Isuzu Motors Ltd.
   • Kyushu Electric Power Co.
2. Information technology:
   • SoftBank Group Corp
   • Yahoo! Japan Corporation
   • NTT Communications Corporation
   • Fujitsu Limited
3. Tourism:
   • Hakata Canal City shopping center
   • Fukuoka Tower
   • Tenjin Underground Shopping Center
   • Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
4. Food processing:
   • Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
   • Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd.
   • Maruha Nichiro Holdings Inc.
5. Financial services:
   • Mizuho Bank Ltd.
   • Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC)
   • Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG)
6. Healthcare & Medical Devices Industry:
   • Terumo Corporation headquartered here.

Overall, Fukuoka’s economy is diverse with significant contributions from various sectors that make it an important city for business activities in Western Japan.

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1. The Battle of Hakata Bay saw Japanese samurai warriors successfully repel Mongol invasions in 1274 and 1281.
2. Kuroda Nagamasa was a powerful daimyo who ruled over Fukuoka during the Edo period, known for his military prowess and love for arts and culture.
3. The Kyushu National Museum, established in 2005, showcases the history and culture of Kyushu through ancient artifacts to contemporary times.
4. Fukuoka Tower is a towering landmark that was built in 1989, standing at 234 meters tall with an observation deck providing stunning views of the city.
5. Ohori Park is a large park located centrally in Fukuoka featuring gardens, museums, historical buildings alongside a lake.
6. The Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival takes place annually every July where teams of men carry elaborate floats through the streets competing for speed and accuracy.
7. Yanagawa City is situated south of Fukuoka; it’s an old historic city renowned for its scenic canals that have been preserved since the Edo period.
8. Tōjinbō Cliffs are situated on Fukui Prefecture’s coast; these basalt cliffs have a haunting history as they were once used as suicide sites during Japan’s feudal era.
9. Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane – revered as the god of learning – it’s one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines attracting many visitors each year.
10. Sumo wrestling tournaments are held annually at Fukuoka Kokusai Center with Kyushu Basho being one such event popular among locals and tourists alike!

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1. Fukuoka Art Museum features a collection of contemporary and traditional Japanese art.
2. Fukuoka City Museum showcases the history and culture of Fukuoka.
3. Kyushu National Museum displays artifacts from the history and culture of Kyushu, Japan’s third-largest island.
4. Ohori Park is a large park with a lake, walking trails, gardens, and historical sites.
5. Hakata Machiya Folk Museum exhibits traditional Japanese houses and lifestyles in the Hakata district.
6. Kushida Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Fukuoka with a beautiful garden and cultural events throughout the year.
7. Canal City Hakata is a shopping mall with an artificial canal running through it, featuring shops, restaurants, cinemas, and entertainment venues.
8. Tenjin Underground Shopping Center is an underground shopping area that stretches for several kilometers beneath downtown Tenjin district.
9. Nokonoshima Island Park is an island park located just off the coast from central Fukuoka.
10. Yanagawa Canal Boat Tour offers visitors to take leisurely boat rides through Yanagawa’s canals while enjoying scenic views.

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1. Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks is a professional baseball team that competes in the Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). The team, founded in 1938, has won the Japan Series championship ten times, including three consecutive championships from 2014 to 2016.

2. Avispa Fukuoka is a professional football club that plays in J2 League, the second tier of Japanese football. Founded in 1982, they have been promoted to J1 League twice but relegated back to J2 both times.

3. Rizing Fukuoka is a professional basketball team that competes in B.League, the top tier of Japanese basketball. Founded as Kyushu Sanga in 2007 and changed their name to Rizing Fukuoka in 2016.

4. V-Varen Nagasaki is another football club located nearby and has many fans from the area although not based directly out of Fukuoka. They play in J2 League and were founded in 1985.

5. Kyuden Voltex is a women’s volleyball team that plays at V.League Division 1 which is the top tier of Japanese volleyball.They were initially formed as Kyuden Kizoku Volleyball Club by an electric power company called Kyushu Electric Power Company (Kyuden) and later became independent from it with their name changed to Voltex.

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1. Hakata Dontaku Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Fukuoka, held every year on May 3rd and 4th. The festival includes a parade with dancers, musicians, and floats.
2. Yamakasa Festival is a celebration of the harvest season that takes place in July. Participants carry large floats through the streets of Fukuoka while chanting and dancing.
3. Asian Party is an annual event that celebrates cultural diversity in Fukuoka with food, music, dance performances, and workshops.
4. Kawaii Harajuku Fashion Show is a fashion show featuring Japanese street fashion styles such as Lolita, Decora, Gyaru, etc.
5. Fukuoka International Film Festival showcases independent films from around the world.
6. Kokura Gion Daiko Matsuri is a drumming festival that takes place in Kokura City every October.
7. Kyushu Basho Sumo Tournament is one of six annual sumo tournaments held throughout Japan and takes place in November at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
8. Christmas Market Hakataza is an outdoor market held during December where visitors can enjoy German-style food stalls along with live music performances by local artists.
9. Tenjin Chikagai Underground Shopping Street Festivals (Tenjin Chikagai Matsuri) has various events throughout this shopping arcade to celebrate seasonal occasions such as Halloween or Christmas/New Year’s Eve countdown parties.
10. Flower Viewing Party (Hanami) happens during springtime when cherry blossoms bloom across Japan including parks like Maizuru Park or Ohori Park which are popular spots for hanami parties where people gather to picnic under cherry trees while enjoying traditional foods like bento boxes or sake drinks while admiring beautiful scenery around them.

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1. Hakata Ramen – a type of ramen with a rich pork bone broth and thin noodles. Some popular ramen shops include Ichiran, Ippudo, and Hakata Issou.
2. Motsunabe – a hot pot dish made with beef or pork intestines and vegetables. Some popular restaurants include Motsunabe Yamaya and Nagahama Nojo.
3. Yakiniku – grilled meat dishes often featuring wagyu beef or pork belly. Some popular yakiniku restaurants include Kuroge Wagyu Yakiniku Zen, Gyu-Kaku, and Hanamidori.
4. Takoyaki – small balls of batter filled with diced octopus and other ingredients like green onion or pickled ginger. Some popular takoyaki shops include Takosenbei Honpo Hachimonjiya and Aizuya.
5. Mentaiko – spicy cod roe often served on top of rice or as a filling in onigiri (rice balls). Some popular mentaiko shops include Fukutaro Suisan Honten and Marusaka Shoten.
6. Mizutaki – chicken hot pot dish served with dipping sauces like ponzu or sesame sauce. Some popular mizutaki restaurants include Toriden Kawabata Tenjin Main Store and Mizutaki no Kyotaru.
7. Tempura – battered fried seafood or vegetables often served with dipping sauce like tentsuyu (soy sauce-based) or salted lemon juice dip (shio-daizu). Some popular tempura places include Tenkaiho Tempura Kappo Tsukasa Fukuoka Ekimae Branch and Tatsuta Tempura Uchida Honten.
8. Udon – thick wheat flour noodles that can be eaten hot in soup broth or cold as zaru udon with dipping sauce. Some popular udon shops include Hakata Ikkousha and Kawabata Udon.
9. Sushi – fresh seafood served on top of vinegared rice. Some popular sushi restaurants include Kappo Nakajima, Sushidokoro Tora, and Sushi Ichi.
10. Izakaya – casual Japanese-style pubs that serve a variety of small dishes like yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), karaage (fried chicken), and sashimi (raw fish). Some popular izakaya include Kushida Yakitori, Hakata Hanamidori Izakaya Bento Bar, and Torikai Shouten.

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1. Ohori Park: A vast park with a lake, gardens, and walking paths.
2. Maizuru Park: A historic park that boasts castle ruins and cherry blossom trees.
3. Momochi Beach: A favorite destination for swimming and sunbathing.
4. Fukuoka City Zoological Garden: A zoo that houses over 130 species of animals.
5. Fukuoka Tower: An observation tower that provides panoramic views of the cityscape.
6. Nokonoshima Island Park: An island park accessible by ferry, featuring gardens, beaches, and hiking trails.
7. Tenjin Central Park: A small park located in the heart of downtown Fukuoka with a playground and picnic area.
8. Marine World Uminonakamichi: An aquarium featuring marine life from around the globe.
9. Hakata Port Tower Observation Deck: An observation deck offering views of the harbor and city skyline.
10. Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine: A historic shrine surrounded by gardens and traditional architecture situated just outside of Fukuoka city center.

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