Fukuoka — Gourmet center of Japan!
Fukuoka is a dynamic city of 1.6M located on the Sea of Japan on Kyushu island. Known for its delicious food, rich history, beautiful scenery and modern amenities, it offers a blend of traditional and contemporary culture. The city boasts a beautiful waterfront with beaches and waterfront views, numerous parks and cultural sites, with easy access to both bustling city life and serene natural landscapes. It’s central location in Asia provides fast access to Tokyo, Shanghai or Taiwan within 2 hours, and its central location on Kyushu, makes it a convenient base for exploring other parts of the island.
Fukuoka is renowned for its diverse culinary scene, with a wide variety of restaurants and cafes offering both traditional Japanese cuisine and international options, especially known for its seafood, yakitori, motsunabe hot pot, Hakata ramen and Amaou strawberries. Fukuoka is a cultural center of Kyushu with a number of museums such as the Hakata Maia Folk Museum, a treasure trove of Fukuoka’s rich history, art galleries, and historical sites showcasing its wonderful culture, such as the Dazaifu Tenmangu and the iconic 234 meter tall mirrored Fukuoka Tower, whose observation deck provides panoramic views of the city and the sea.
Fukuoka enjoys a mild climate with four distinct seasons, though winters are relatively short and mild, and summers can be humid but not excessively hot. While housing and living costs in Fukuoka can be higher than in some other parts of Japan, they are generally considered more affordable than in major cities like Tokyo or Osaka. And it’s compactness, means you’re never very far from anywhere in the city. Fukuoka has many English speakers, especially in tourist, business and university areas, but having a working knowledge of Japanese is valuable.
Fukuoka is a major economic hub in Kyushu, with a thriving business sector and strong focus on technology and innovation, especially automobile-related industries. Nissan Motor Kyushu, Toyota Motor Kyushu and Daihatsu Kyushu all call Fukuoka home. Fukuoka also has a thriving startup scene.
Fukuoka is considered one of the safest places in the world, with a low crime rate and excellent healthcare system, and is often ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world. As the 9th most popular city in Japan for foreign residents, Fukuoka is considered foreigner-friendly and has a vibrant expat community.
