This article is about the city in Japan. For the prefecture with the same name where this city is located, seeFukuoka Prefecture. For other uses, seeFukuoka (disambiguation).
Prefecture capital and Designated city in Kyushu, Japan
Fukuoka (福岡市,Fukuoka-shi;[ɸɯ̥.kɯꜜ.o.ka,-kɯ.o.kaꜜ.ɕi]ⓘ[2]) is adesignated city in theKyushu region ofJapan and thecapital city ofFukuoka Prefecture. The city is built along the shores ofHakata Bay, and has been a center of international commerce since ancient times. The area has long been considered the gateway to the country, as it is the nearest point among Japan's main islands to the Asian mainland. Although humans have occupied the area since theJomon period, some of the earliest settlers of theYayoi period arrived in the Fukuoka area. The city rose to prominence during theYamato period, and because of the cross-cultural exposure, and relatively great distance from the social and political centers ofKyoto,Osaka, and later,Edo (Tokyo), Fukuoka gained a distinctive local culture and dialect that has persisted to the present day.
Fukuoka is the most populous city onKyūshū island, followed byKitakyushu. It is the largest city and metropolitan area west ofKeihanshin. The city wasdesignated by government ordinance on April 1, 1972. Greater Fukuoka, with a population of 2.5 million people (2005 census), is part of the heavily industrializedFukuoka–Kitakyushu zone.
As of 2015[update], Fukuoka is Japan's sixth largest city, having passed the population ofKobe.[3] In July 2011, Fukuoka surpassed the population ofKyoto. Since the founding of Kyoto in 794, this marks the first time that a city west of theKansai region has had a larger population than Kyoto.
The name Fukuoka (福岡) combines the characters fuku (福), meaning “good fortune” or “blessing,” and oka (岡), meaning “hill.” The designation was introduced in 1600 by daimyōKuroda Nagamasa, who named his new castle town after the Fukuoka district of Bizen Province, the ancestral home of the Kuroda clan.[4]
Exchanges from the continent and the Northern Kyushu area date as far back asOld Stone Age.[5] It has been thought that waves of immigrants arrived in Northern Kyushu from mainland Asia.[6]AmongJomon period sites, early Jomon pit dwellings have been found in the easternItoshima Peninsula, while early to late Jomon pottery and stone-collecting hearths have been found at Kashiwara Site (South Ward). Among middle Jomon period sites, clusters of pits for storing yew and other acorns have been found at Nodame Newatari Site (South Ward) and Arita Site (Sawara Ward). Archeological research revealed that the Fukuoka Plain was underwater during the Jomon period, and like the Paleolithic period, only the aforementioned sites at the edge of Hizen Island remain.
During theYayoi period, the rise of early rice cultivation led to the development of large, moated villages like theItazuke Site, and the region served as a hub of activity marked by the introduction of technologies like bronze and copper tools.[7] Fukuoka's location near theSea of Japan made it an early natural point of entry for trading and cultural influences from countries on the mainland such asKorea andChina.
Interaction between the region and theHan dynasty of China was recorded as early as 57 A.D. According to theBook of the Later Han, an envoy visited the imperial court during the reign ofEmperor Guangwu, and in recognition of this diplomatic mission, the ruler received a gold seal, discovered later in the 17th century.[8]
By the end of the Asuka Period, Fukuoka, sometimes called the Port ofDazaifu (大宰府), had grown from a small town into a critical administrative center, serving as the regional government headquarters for Kyushu and as a trade centre between Japan andTang China.[9] Ancient texts, such as theKojiki, Kanyen, and archaeology confirm this was a critical place in the founding of Japan. Some scholars[10] claim that it was the first place outsiders and the Imperial Family set foot, but like many early Japan origin theories, it remains contested.
TheBook of Song recorded that King Bu, thought to be theEmperor Yūryaku, sent a letter in 478 A.D. seeking the Chinese emperor's approval for the establishment of three ministries for administration of the kingdom similar tothose in use in China; the remains of a ward office and temple in Ooho (大保), 15 km (9 mi) south from Dazaifu, may be one of these ministries. In addition, remains of theKōrokan (鴻臚館, Government Guest House) were found in Fukuoka underneath a part of the ruins ofFukuoka Castle.
Following the collapse of theTang dynasty, relations with China declined, and Japan went into a period of isolationism.[11] While the existingKōrokan declined by the end of theHeian Period in the 12th century, the city's importance as a trading hub continued to grow, evidenced by the discovery of a late Heian period stone revetment from the port in modern times.
As a result of the introduction ofBuddhism to Japan, several historically important Buddhist temples in Fukuoka were constructed by monks after their studies. MonkEisai foundedShōfuku-ji which is known today as the oldest zen temple in Japan. Eisai is also known for establishing a new sect of Zen Buddhism (Rinzai) and for bringing tea and tea culture to Japan. MonkKukai establishedTocho-ji, andJoten-ji was built byEnni who is also known for bringing Udon noodles first from China to Japan.
Hakata Gion Yamakasa is the most famous festival in Fukuoka andthe origin of it is believed to date back to 1241, whenEnni, the founder of Jotenji temple had people carry him around the town on a platform while praying against the plague and eventually getting successfully rid of it.[12]
Kublai Khan of theMongol Empire turned his attention towards Japan starting in 1268, exerting a new external pressure on Japan with which it had no experience of dealing with. Kublai Khan first sent an envoy to Japan to make the Shogunate acknowledge Khan'ssuzerainty. After the refusal of theKamakura shogunate recognition of the Khan, 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 fromGoryeo on theKorean Peninsula.[13] This initial invasion was compromised by a combination of incompetence and severe storms. After the invasion attempt of 1274, Japanesesamurai built a stone barrier 20 km (12 mi) in length bordering the coast ofHakata Bay in what is now the city of Fukuoka. The wall, 2–3 metres in height and having a base width of 3 meters, 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 theHōjō clan (1251–1284) was the Eighth Regent. Not only did he decline the offer, but he beheaded the five Mongolian emissaries after summoning them toKamakura. 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 asDazaifu, 15 km (9 mi) south of the city of Fukuoka. However, the Japanese were again aided by severe weather, this time by atyphoon that struck a crushing blow to the Mongolian troops, thwarting the invasion.[14]
It was this typhoon that came to be called theKamikaze (Divine Wind), and was the origin of the termKamikaze used to indicatesuicide attacks by military aviators of theEmpire of Japan againstAllied naval vessels during World War II.[15]
By the end of the 1300s, the threat of Mongol invasions declined, and Fukuoka entered a phase of flourishment. The 1300s also marked the fall of theKamakura shogunate and the rise of theMuromachi shogunate. Kyushu, including Fukuoka, was a contested region during this transition. Throughout theMuromachi period, Hakata was the first free city in Japanese history, with its government run by a council of 12 wealthy merchants called Tongyoji. It prospered as a trading city alongside Sakai City, whose government was run by a council of 36 members. The region continued to experience growth, and Hakata continued to serve as Japan's primary port for trade with mainland Asia, particularly with theSong andYuan dynasties of China and with Korea.[16]
By the 1500s, the control shifts from various clans, and ultimately the fall toToyotomi Hideyoshi's forces, marked a period of conflict for the region. TheBattle of Sekigahara eventually led toKuroda Nagamasa being granted the region and beginning the construction ofFukuoka Castle in the early 1600s.[17] Fukuoka was formerly the residence of the powerfuldaimyō ofChikuzen Province, and played an important part in the medieval history of Japan. The renowned temple ofTokugawa Ieyasu in the district was destroyed by fire during theBoshin War of 1868. The modern city was formed on April 1, 1889, with the merger of the former cities ofHakata 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 sinceKuroda Nagamasa, the firstdaimyō of Chikuzen Province, named it after his birthplace inOkayama Prefecture[18] and the "old Fukuoka" is the main shopping district, now called Tenjin.[19]
When Hakata and Fukuoka decided to merge, a meeting was held to decide the name for the new city, and after multiple ties, Fukuoka ultimately was chosen.[20][21] 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, anddialect,Hakata-ben.
Fukuoka continued to grow during the early 20th century following theMeiji Restoration and industrialization of Japan. The city saw a rise in exponential growth with the introduction of new colleges and universities such as the Fukuoka Medical College in 1903 and the introduction of citywide public transit such as the Fukuoka Streetcar Service in 1910.
DuringWorld War II, Fukuoka played a significant role as a regional military center and base for theImperial Japanese Military due to its geographic position near the Korean Peninsula and China. The region also housed the largest POW base in Japan,Fukuoka 17 which operated from 1943 to 1945.[22] In 1945, Fukuoka wasfirebombed on June 19, with the attack destroying 21.5 percent of the city's urban area.[18]
Following the close of World War II, Fukuoka then began a period of recovery and development, including the rebuilding of the city and the establishment ofItazuke Air Base, which became the largestUSAF base on Kyushu, in addition to a new municipal airport in 1951.[23][24] The postwar era also saw the establishment of key institutions and events in the city such as theFukuoka Marathon in 1947, and the founding of theFukuoka Zoo in 1953. Fukuoka benefited greatly from theJapanese economic miracle, and in 1975, absorbed the town ofSawara. 1975,Sanyō Shinkansen high-speed railway was extended toHakata station, providing more efficient high-speed connection toTokyo and the rest of the country.
In 1981, theFukuoka City Subway began operations with the opening of its initial segment between Muromi and Tenjin, marking a turning point in Fukuoka’s urban transit infrastructure and signifying a transition from the existing older street-level tram and bus systems toward a high-capacity, grade-separated urban rail network. In doing so, the establishment of the subway system also helped reduce surface traffic congestion in the city core and provided a more reliable and faster mode of transit. Towards the end of the 1980s, the city held two important expositions, including the 1989 Asian-Pacific Exposition, and the 30th annual meeting of theAsian Development Bank.[25]
Fukuoka established a partnership withAtlanta, Georgia after a visit by former Japan Prime MinisterToshiki Kaifu in 1994.[26] The sister city partnership was formalized in February 2005 by Former Atlanta mayorShirley Franklin and former Fukuoka mayor Hirotaro Yamasaki. For 20 years the program has been supporting yearly student exchanges, economic forums and cultural performances. At the yearly cultural celebration “JapanFest” in Atlanta, Fukuoka performers showcase traditional music and dance.[27]
In February 2005, theNanakuma Line started operations, serving as the fourth linear motor subway line to be built in Japan. The Nanakuma Line was originally conceived in the 1960s to provide access toNakamura Gakuen University andFukuoka University, but the plan was subsequently amended for the line to end atHashimoto Station. The line also linked the Central business district and the southwestern part of the city which previously unserved by rail.In 2014, the city was selected as the National Strategic Zone for "global startups & job creation" byJapanese government, following an increase in economic activity in the region stemming fromAbenomics.[28]
Fukuoka is bordered on three sides by mountains, surroundsHakata Bay and opens on the north to theGenkai Sea. It is located 1,100 km (684 mi) from Tokyo.
The nearest overseas region isBusan Metropolitan City in Gyeongsang-do,South Korea, and the distance fromBusan is about 180 km (112 miles). Fukuoka and Busan are sister cities.
Fukuoka has ahumid subtropical climate (Köppen:Cfa), hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters.[29] 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 sunshine hours. Roughly 40% of the year is cloudy.
Winter temperatures rarely drop below 0 °C (32 °F) and snow cover is rarely seen, though very light snow does fall on many days if not as consistently as on theSea of Japan side ofHonshu.[30] Spring is warm and sunnier, withcherry blossoms appearing in late March or early April. Therainy 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 thetyphoon season runs between August and September.
Climate data for Fukuoka (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1890−present)
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 theJapanese intensity scale and hit at 10:53 am local time on March 20, 2005, killing one person and injuring more than 400.[33] 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 ofNishi-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 15.8 billion yen.[34]
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 toNishitetsu'sŌmuta train line, and was previously thought to be 22 km (14 mi) long. It is estimated to produce earthquakes as strong asmagnitude 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. Theprobability 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 theGenkai 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 regarding the portion of the Kego fault that lies under the city, and the potential for an earthquake as big as, or bigger than, the March 20 quake.[35]
As of November 2018[update], the city had an estimated population of 1,581,527 and a population density of 4,515.64 inhabitants per square kilometre (11,695.5/sq mi).[36] The total area is 343.39 square kilometres (132.58 sq mi). Fukuoka is Japan's youngest major city and has Japan's fastest growing population.[37] Between December 2012 and December 2017, the proportion of foreign-born residents increased faster than any other major city in Japan, including Tokyo.[38]
There were 171 homeless residents counted in 2018's annual survey, down from a high of 969 in 2009.[39]
As of March 2023, Fukuoka had a population of 1,632,713 with 770,276 males and 862,437 females.[40]
Fukuoka is the economic center of the Kyushu region, with an economy largely focused on the service sector. It is also the largest startup city in Japan, and is the only economic zone for startups.[41] They have various services for startups like startup visas, tax reductions, and free business consultations. Fukuoka has the highest business-opening rate in Japan.[42] Large companies headquartered in the city includeIwataya andKyushu 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 ofKitakyushu.
The GDP in Greater Fukuoka, FukuokaMetropolitan Employment Area, was US$101.6 billion in 2010.[43][44] Fukuoka is the primary economic center of the Fukuoka-Kitakyushumetropolitan area, which is the 4th largest economy in Japan. As of 2014, the area'sPPP-adjusted GDP is estimated to be larger than those of metropolitan areas such asMelbourne, Kuala Lumpur,Lima, Vienna,Barcelona and Rome.[45]
Fukuoka was selected as one ofNewsweek's 10 "Most Dynamic Cities" in its July 2006 issue.[50] 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".[51] 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 is friendly, safe, clean and close to the rest of East Asia.[52] The same survey in 2018 ranked Fukuoka at number 22.[53]
ACROS (Asian Cross Road Over the Sea) is a cultural center located at the Tenjin Central Park. Part of it is the Fukuoka Symphony Hall and it hosts several other cultural events in a green building.
TheFukuoka Asian Culture Prize was established to honor the outstanding work of individuals or organizations in Asia.
Fukuoka hosts more than 2 million foreign visitors annually, with the majority coming from neighboring South Korea, Taiwan and China.[54] 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 was expected to exceed 400.[55]
Nearly ten thousand international students attend universities in or near the Fukuoka prefecture each year.[56] Nearly 200 international conferences are held each year in Fukuoka.[57]
Fukuoka Castle, located adjacent to Ohori Park in Maizuru Park, features the remaining stone walls and ramparts[58] left after a devastating fire during the upheaval of theMeiji 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 majorart galleries.
Sky Dream Fukuoka, in Fukuoka's western ward, was aFerris wheel with a height of 120 meters and was closed in 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.[59]
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.[60]
For tourists from other parts of Japan, local foods such asmentaiko,Hakata (tonkotsu) ramen, andmotsunabe are associated with Fukuoka.Yatai (street stalls) serving ramen can be found in Tenjin andNakasu 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.[61]
Genko Historical Museum (元寇史料館, Museum of the Mongol Invasion) – In Higashi Koen (Eastern 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.
Yamakasa (山笠), held for two weeks each July,[63] 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.[64][65] 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 wearshimekomi (calledfundoshi 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 longhappi coats bearing the distinctive mark of their team affiliation and traditionalgeta 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 (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'sGolden Week holidays. During the festival, stages are erected throughout downtown for traditional performances and a parade of floats is held. The full name isHakata Dontaku Minato Matsuri.[66]
The festival was stopped for seven years during theMeiji era. Since it was restarted in the 12th year of the Meiji era it has been known asHakata Dontaku.
Notable musical names inJ-pop includeAyumi Hamasaki (allegedly Japan's richest woman), hugely popular singer-songwriter duoChage & Aska, singer-songwriterEri Nobuchika,Misia, andYui. During the 1970s, local musicians prided themselves on their origins and dubbed their sound,Mentai Rock.
Ezaki Hikaru of thek-pop groupKep1er was born in Fukuoka.[67]
Rock bandNumber Girl is from Fukuoka,[68] often stating "福岡市博多区からやって参りました、NUMBER GIRLです" between live performances of songs, which translates to "From Fukuoka City, Hakata Ward, we are Number Girl". All members except for Mukai Shutoku[69] are from Fukuoka Prefecture.
Fukuoka is the home of theFukuoka SoftBank Hawks, one of Japan's top professionalbaseball teams. Threatened with bankruptcy and forced by its creditors to restructure, former ownerDaiei sold the Hawks toSoftbank Group in 2004. After the sale to Softbank, the Hawks have become one of the most successful teams inNPB, winning 6Japan Series title in 8 years. Their home stadium is theMizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka.
The city established the Asian Pacific City Summit in 1994. It consists of 26 Asia-Pacific cities. TheAsian Pacific Children's Convention was established in Fukuoka in 1988.[75]
^"UEA Code Tables". Center for Spatial Information Science, University of Tokyo.Archived from the original on January 9, 2019. RetrievedJanuary 26, 2019.
^NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute, ed. (May 24, 2016).NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典 (in Japanese). NHK Publishing.
^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.Archived(PDF) from the original on August 21, 2017. RetrievedJuly 25, 2016.
^福岡特区通信.f-tokku.city.fukuoka.lg.jp (in Japanese). Archived fromthe original on January 23, 2018. RetrievedJuly 25, 2016.
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