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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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