Welcome to Fukuoka!

PLACES OF INTEREST:
Akizuki, Yanagawa, and Arita.


Fukuoka prefecture, located at the northern tip of Kyushu, is Western Japan’s leading economic region. Located just 70 miles from the Korean peninsula, Fukuoka is closer to Seoul than Tokyo. For centuries, Fukuoka has been a major gateway between Japan and the Asian continent. It is believed that rice farming was introduced to Japan from China through northern Kyushu sometime between 500 B.C. and the first century A.D. While the region benefited from trade with Asia, its proximity to the continent also made it vulnerable to the Mongol invasions of Kublai Khan. In 1274, local residents successfully fended off Mongol troops and built a 12 mile protective wall along the coast. The second invasion took place in 1281 but the Mongol fleet was destroyed by a great typhoon at sea.

The capital of Fukuoka prefecture, Fukuoka city, was originally called Hakata until the early 17th century when the feudal lord Chikusen Nagamasa built a series of fortifications there and renamed the town. While few historical sites remain today, Fukuoka city, with a population of 1.3 residents, has become a prominent mercantile center which boasts some of the nation’s finest contemporary architecture.

AKIZUKI
Located in the picturesque hills of Amagi, Akizuki is a historic castle town complete with old samurai homes and narrow winding streets. Once the front gate to a local castle, a Meiji era stone gate marks the entrance to this charming town. The Fall foliage in Akizuki is breathtaking and attracts millions of seasonal visitors each year.

YANAGAWA
The Yanagawa area of Fukuoka prefecture provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to view traditional Japanese storehouses and the red brick warehouses of the early 20th century while cruising down its many canals on gondola-style boats called ‘konke.’

ARITA
Located in the neighboring prefecture of Saga, the town of Arita has, for centuries, been famous for its fine Japanese pottery, Arita-yaki. Twice a year, once in May and once in October, Arita hosts a pottery festival where visitors can purchase the otherwise pricey pottery at discount prices and participate in a variety of ceramics workshops.

JapanCorner 2005