Editing Fukuoka

{{About|the city in Japan|the prefecture with the same name where this city is located|Fukuoka Prefecture|other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name                     = Fukuoka
| native_name              = {{nobold|福岡市}}
| official_name            = Fukuoka City
| settlement_type          = [[Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan|Designated city]]
| image_skyline            = {{multiple image
 |border                   = infobox
 |total_width              = 290
 |perrow                   = 1/2/2/2
 |image1                   = Fukuoka Seaside Momochi Aerial Shoot.jpg
 |alt1                     = Seaside Momochi with the Fukuoka Tower
 |caption1                 = Skyline at {{ill|Seaside Momochi|ja|シーサイドももち}}
 |image2                   = Shimonohashi Gomon and Shiomiyagura Turret of Fukuoka Castle 3.jpg
 |alt2                     = Fukuoka Castle
 |caption2                 = [[Fukuoka Castle]]
 |image3                   = Ukimido Hall of Ohori Park.JPG
 |alt3                     = Ōhori Park
 |caption3                 = [[Ōhori Park]]
 |image4                   = Hakozaki-miya090806a.jpg
 |alt4                     = Hakozaki Shrine
 |caption4                 = [[Hakozaki Shrine]]
 |image5                   = Marine World Uminonakamichi 1.JPG
 |alt5                     = Marine World Uminonakamichi
 |caption5                 = [[Marine World Uminonakamichi]]
 |image6                   = Hakata gion yamakasa 2006 02.jpg
 |alt6                     = Hakata Gion Yamakasa
 |caption6                 = [[Hakata Gion Yamakasa]]
 |image7                   = Beetle in Hakata Port.jpg
 |alt7                     = Port of Hakata（Bayside Place Hakata Port）
 |caption7                 = [[Hakata Port Tower]]
 }}
| image_flag               = Flag of Fukuoka, Fukuoka.svg
| flag_alt                 = 
| image_seal               = Emblem of Fukuoka, Fukuoka.svg
| seal_alt                 = 
| image_shield             = 
| shield_alt               = 
| image_blank_emblem       = 
| blank_emblem_type        = Emblem
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = 
| image_dot_map            = 
| pushpin_map              = Japan
| pushpin_label_position   = 
| pushpin_map_alt          = 
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in Japan
| coordinates              = {{Coord|33|35|24|N|130|24|06|E|region:JP-40|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes    = 
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_type1        = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Kyushu]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Fukuoka Prefecture]]
| subdivision_type3        = 
| subdivision_name3        = 
| image_map                = Fukuoka City in Fukuoka Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_caption              = Location of Fukuoka in Fukuoka Prefecture
| established_title        = First official recorded
| established_date         = 57 AD
| established_title2       = City Settled
| established_date2        = April 1, 1889
| founder                  = 
| named_for                = 
| seat_type                = 
| seat                     = 
| government_footnotes     = 
| leader_party             = 
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = [[Sōichirō Takashima]] (since December 2010)
| leader_title1            = 
| leader_name1             = 
| total_type               = 
| unit_pref                = 
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_footnotes           = 
| area_total_km2           = 343.39
| area_total_sq_mi         = 
| area_land_km2            = 
| area_land_sq_mi          = 
| area_water_km2           = 
| area_water_sq_mi         = 
| area_water_percent       = 
| area_note                = 
| elevation_footnotes      = 
| elevation_m              = 
| elevation_ft             = 
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 1603543
| population_as_of         = June 1, 2021
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_metro_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=UEA Code Tables |url=http://www.csis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/UEA/uea_code_e.htm |publisher=Center for Spatial Information Science, University of Tokyo |access-date=January 26, 2019 |archive-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109011635/http://www.csis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/UEA/uea_code_e.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> (2015)
| population_metro         = 2565501 ([[List of metropolitan areas in Japan by population|5th]])
| population_est           = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| population_demonym       = 
| population_note          = 
| timezone1                = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| utc_offset1              = +9
| postal_code_type         = 
| postal_code              = 
| area_code_type           = 
| area_code                = 
| blank_name_sec1          = City symbols
| blank1_name_sec1         = – Tree
| blank1_info_sec1         = [[Camphor laurel]]
| blank2_name_sec1         = – Flower
| blank2_info_sec1         = [[Camellia]]
| blank3_name_sec1         = – Bird
| blank3_info_sec1         = [[Black-headed gull]]
| website                  = {{URL|www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| pic = Fukuoka (Chinese characters).svg
| piccap = "Fukuoka" in ''[[kanji]]''
| picupright = 0.4
| kanji = 福岡
| romaji = Fukuoka
| c = 
| t = 
| s = 
| p = 
| j = 
| mi = 
| ci = 
| altname = 
| hiragana = ふくおか
| katakana = フクオカ
}}
{{nihongo|'''Fukuoka'''|福岡市|Fukuoka-shi|{{IPA|ja|ɸɯ̥.kɯꜜ.o.ka, -kɯ.o.kaꜜ.ɕi||TomJ-Fukuoka.ogg}}<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典|publisher=NHK Publishing|editor=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date=24 May 2016|lang=ja}}</ref>}} is the [[List of Japanese cities by population|sixth-largest city]] in Japan and the [[capital city]] of [[Fukuoka Prefecture]], Japan. The city is built along the shores of [[Hakata 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 occupied the area since the [[Jomon period]], some of the earliest settlers of the [[Yayoi period]] arrived in the Fukuoka area. The city rose to prominence during the [[Yamato period]]. Because of the cross-cultural exposure, and the relatively great distance from the social and political centers of [[Kyoto]], [[Osaka]], and later, [[Edo (Tokyo)|Edo]] (Tokyo), Fukuoka gained a distinctive local culture and dialect that has persisted to the present.

Fukuoka is the most populous city on [[Kyushu|Kyūshū]] island, followed by [[Kitakyushu]]. It is the largest city and metropolitan area west of [[Keihanshin]]. The city was [[City designated by government ordinance|designated by government ordinance]] on April 1, 1972. Greater Fukuoka, with a population of 2.5&nbsp;million people (2005 census), is part of the heavily industrialized [[Fukuoka–Kitakyushu]] zone.

{{As of|2015}}, Fukuoka is Japan's sixth largest city, having passed the population of [[Kobe]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/soki/tokeichosa/shisei/toukei/kokusei/H27_kokuchou/27kokuchou_sokuhou.html |script-title=ja:福岡市 平成２７年国勢調査結果速報（本市独自集計） |website=city.fukuoka.lg.jp |access-date=25 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815090031/http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/soki/tokeichosa/shisei/toukei/kokusei/H27_kokuchou/27kokuchou_sokuhou.html |archive-date=August 15, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In July 2011, Fukuoka surpassed the population of [[Kyoto]]. Since the founding of Kyoto in 794, this marks the first time that a city west of the [[Kansai region]] has had a larger population than Kyoto.

==History==
{{for timeline|Timeline of Fukuoka}}

===Early history===
Exchanges from the continent and the Northern Kyushu area date as far back as [[Old Stone Age]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/asia/korean_peninsula/AJ201302010006 |title=Researchers uncover deeper Japan-Korea history on weapons, letters |work=AJW by The Asahi Shimbun |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194810/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/asia/korean_peninsula/AJ201302010006 |archive-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref> It has been thought that waves of immigrants arrived in Northern Kyushu from mainland Asia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://austronesian.alotspace.com/origins%20of%20the%20japanese%20people.htm |title=Austronesia |access-date=July 11, 2013 |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029184550/http://austronesian.alotspace.com/origins%20of%20the%20japanese%20people.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> Several [[Kofun]] exist.

Fukuoka was sometimes called the Port of {{Nihongo|[[Dazaifu, Fukuoka|Dazaifu]]|大宰府}}, a reference to the town of Dazaifu {{cvt|15|km|0}} southeast of Fukuoka. Dazaifu was an administrative capital in 663 A.D., and it has been suggested that a prehistoric capital was in the area.<ref>{{cite book |author=[[Takehiko Furuta]] |script-title=ja:失われた九州王朝 |trans-title=A lost Kyushu dynasty |publisher=Asahi Publishing |year=1993}}</ref> Ancient texts, such as the [[Kojiki]], Kanyen (found in Dazaifu) and archaeology confirm this was a critical place in the founding of Japan. Some scholars<ref name="tdh">[http://www.furutasigaku.jp/efuruta/kourine/kourine.html The Truth of Descent from Heaven] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220201054/http://www.furutasigaku.jp/efuruta/kourine/kourine.html |date=December 20, 2016 }}. Yukio Yokota. Retrieved March 19, 2008.</ref> claim that it was the first place outsiders and the Imperial Family set foot, but like many early Japan origin theories, it remains contested. Central Fukuoka is sometimes still referred as [[Hakata-ku, Fukuoka|Hakata]] which is the name of the central ward.

The [[Book of Song]] records that King Bu, thought to be the [[Emperor Yūryaku]], sent a letter in 478 seeking the Chinese emperor's approval for the establishment of three ministries for administration of the kingdom similar to [[Three Ducal Ministers|those in use in China]]; the remains of a ward office and temple in {{Nihongo|Ooho|大保}}, {{cvt|15|km|0}} south from Dazaifu, may be one of these ministries. In addition, remains of the [[Kōrokan]] ({{lang|ja|鴻臚館}}, Government Guest House) were found in Fukuoka underneath a part of the ruins of [[Fukuoka Castle]].

====Historical shrines, temples and related festivals====
In 923, the [[Hakozaki Shrine]] in Fukuoka was established when the god [[Hachiman]] was transferred from the Daibu shrine in [[Honami, Fukuoka|Honami]].<ref>
{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616120615/http://yokanavi.com/eg/landmark/index/160 |title=Hakozaki Shrine |work=Fukuoka/Hakata Tourist Information |archive-date=June 16, 2015 |url=http://yokanavi.com/eg/landmark/index/160}}
</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" heights="110" perrow="3" caption="">
File:Hakozaki-miya090806a.jpg|[[Hakozaki Shrine]]
File:Site of middle gate of Former Dazaifu Headquarters 2.jpg|[[Dazaifu (government)|Dazaifu]]
File:Fukuoka Kourokan 2010B.jpg|Korokan
</gallery>

There are several historically important Buddhist temples in Fukuoka. Monks would sail back to Japan from China upon completing their studies and establish temples in the heart of the port city of Hakata (now Fukuoka):
Monk [[Eisai]] founded [[Shōfuku-ji (Fukuoka)|Shōfuku-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 Zen|Rinzai]]) and for bringing tea and tea culture to Japan.
Monk [[Kukai]] established [[Tocho-ji]], and [[Joten-ji]] was built by [[Enni]] who is also known for bringing Udon noodles first from China to Japan.
[[File:Jotenji01.jpg|thumb|180px|Main Hall of Joten-ji]]

Hakata Gion Yamagata is the most famous festival in Fukuoka and
the origin of it is believed to date back to 1241, when [[Enni]], 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Spots/Hakata Area/ History and Culture/Jotenji temple|url=https://gofukuoka.jp/spots/detail/26915|access-date=2024-03-20|website=Fukuoka Official Tourist Guide}}</ref>

===Mongol invasions (1274–1281)===
{{main|Mongol invasions of Japan}}
[[Kublai Khan]] of the [[Mongol Empire]] turned his attention towards Japan starting in 1268, exerting a new external pressure on Japan with which it had no experience. Kublai Khan first sent an envoy to Japan to make the Shogunate acknowledge Khan's [[suzerainty]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://factsanddetails.com/japan/cat16/sub107/item494.html |title=MONGOL INVASIONS OF JAPAN |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-date=March 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305235610/http://factsanddetails.com/japan/cat16/sub107/item494.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Kamakura shogunate]] refused. [[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&nbsp;ships and 33,000&nbsp;troops, including troops from [[Goryeo]] on the [[Korean Peninsula]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wondersandmarvels.com/2015/06/blown-away-the-mongol-invasions-of-japan.html |title=Blown Away: The Mongol Invasions of Japan |date=June 22, 2015 |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-date=February 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228045522/http://www.wondersandmarvels.com/2015/06/blown-away-the-mongol-invasions-of-japan.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This initial invasion was compromised by a combination of incompetence and severe storms. After the invasion attempt of 1274, Japanese [[samurai]] built a stone barrier {{cvt|20|km|0}} in length bordering the coast of [[Hakata 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 the [[Hōjō clan]] (1251–1284) was the Eighth Regent. Not only did he decline the offer, but he beheaded the five Mongolian emissaries after summoning them to [[Kamakura, Kanagawa|Kamakura]]. Infuriated, Kublai organized another attack on Fukuoka Prefecture in 1281, mobilizing 140,000&nbsp;soldiers and 4,000&nbsp;ships. The Japanese defenders, numbering around 40,000, were no match for the Mongols and the invasion force made it as far as [[Dazaifu, Fukuoka|Dazaifu]], {{cvt|15|km|0}} south of the city of Fukuoka. However, the Japanese were again aided by severe weather, this time by a [[typhoon]] that struck a crushing blow to the Mongolian troops, thwarting the invasion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kamikaze of 1274 and 1281 {{!}} East Asia, Typhoons {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/kamikaze-of-1274-and-1281 |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

It was this typhoon that came to be called the ''[[Kamikaze (typhoon)|Kamikaze]]'' (''Divine Wind''), and was the origin of the term [[Kamikaze]] used to indicate [[suicide attacks]] by military aviators of the [[Empire of Japan]] against [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] naval vessels during World War II.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/kamikaze |title=Kamikaze Pilots & Aircraft |date=December 27, 2023  |access-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405111035/https://www.britannica.com/topic/kamikaze |url-status=live }}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" heights="110" perrow="3" caption="">
File:Samurai Takezaki Suenaga detail Mōko Shūrai Ekotoba.jpg|[[Takezaki Suenaga]]
File:元寇防塁 (Genkou bourui) - panoramio.jpg|[[Genkō Bōrui]]
</gallery>

===Formation of the modern city (1889)===
Fukuoka was formerly the residence of the powerful ''[[daimyō]]'' of [[Chikuzen Province]], and played an important part in the medieval history of Japan. The renowned temple of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] in the district was destroyed by fire during the [[Boshin War]] of 1868. <!--(Adapted ''from [[1911 Encyclopædia Britannica]]''.)-->

The modern city was formed on April 1, 1889, with the merger of the former cities of [[Hakata-ku, Fukuoka|Hakata]] 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 since [[Kuroda Nagamasa]], the first ''daimyō'' of Chikuzen Province, named it after his birthplace in [[Okayama Prefecture]]<ref name="fukuoka.lg.jp">{{Cite web |url=http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/promo/english/magazine/sanpo.html |title=A Walk Through History｜FUKUOKA POWER｜Fukuoka City Promotion |access-date=26 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408010136/http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/promo/english/magazine/sanpo.html |archive-date=8 April 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the "old Fukuoka" is the main shopping district, now called Tenjin.<!--https://museum.city.fukuoka.jp/en/pdf/ccf_history_jp_en.pdf--><ref>{{Cite web |last=touristinjapan |date=2018-05-17 |title=Tenjin Area, shopping heaven in Fukuoka |url=https://www.touristinjapan.com/tenjin-fukuoka/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Tourist in Japan |language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=福岡市 Hakata Culture vol.4（Fukuoka City or Hakata City？） |url=https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/english/hakataculture/HakataCulture090410_2.html |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mabon |first1=Leslie |last2=Kondo |first2=Kayoko |last3=Kanekiyo |first3=Hiroyuki |last4=Hayabuchi |first4=Yuriko |last5=Yamaguchi |first5=Asako |date=2019-10-01 |title=Fukuoka: Adapting to climate change through urban green space and the built environment? |journal=Cities |volume=93 |pages=273–285 |doi=10.1016/j.cities.2019.05.007 |issn=0264-2751 |pmc=6876680 |pmid=31787795 |quote=In April 1889, the government issued an order for municipalisation, and the towns of Fukuoka and Hakata were merged. ‘Fukuoka’ was chosen as the name for the new city.}}</ref> 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]], and [[dialect]], ''[[Hakata dialect|Hakata-ben]]''.

<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" heights="110" perrow="3">
File:Kuroda Nagamasa.jpg|[[Kuroda Nagamasa]]
File:Fukuoka and Hakata.png|Fukuoka and Hakata, c. 1640
File:59 Chikuzen.jpg|[[Chikuzen Province]] ([[Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces]])
File:Fukuoka Castle Simonohasi Otemon gate.JPG|[[Fukuoka Castle]]
</gallery>

===20th century===
*1903: Fukuoka Medical College, a campus associated with [[Kyoto Imperial University]], is founded. In 1911, the college is renamed [[Kyushu University|Kyushu Imperial University]] and established as a separate entity.
*1910: Fukuoka streetcar service begins. (The service ran until 1979.)
*1929: Flights commence along the Fukuoka-[[Osaka]]-Tokyo route.
*1945: Fukuoka was [[Bombing of Fukuoka|firebombed on June 19]], with the attack destroying 21.5 percent of the city's urban area.<ref name="fukuoka.lg.jp" />
*1947: First [[Fukuoka Marathon]].
*1951: Fukuoka airport opens.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fuk-ab.co.jp/english/sp/cont.php?page=gaiyou |title=About Fukuoka Airport / Fukuoka Airport Building Co., Ltd |access-date=1 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222162605/http://www.fuk-ab.co.jp/english/sp/cont.php?page=gaiyou |archive-date=22 December 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*1953: [[Fukuoka Municipal Zoo and Botanical Garden|Fukuoka Zoo]] opens.
*1975: The city absorbed the town of [[Sawara, Fukuoka|Sawara]].
*1975: [[San'yō Shinkansen|Sanyō Shinkansen]] high-speed railway reaches [[Hakata station]].
*1981: Subway commences service.
*1988: Osaka's pro baseball team, the Nankai Hawks, was moved to Fukuoka and renamed the Fukuoka [[Daiei]] Hawks (renamed the [[Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks]] in 2004).
*1989: Asian-Pacific Exposition is held.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://universiade.fjct.fit.ac.jp/en/fukuoka/history.html |title=History |access-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806115701/http://universiade.fjct.fit.ac.jp/en/fukuoka/history.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*1997: The 30th annual meeting of the [[Asian Development Bank]] was held in Fukuoka.

<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" heights="110" perrow="3" caption="">
File:School of Engineering.jpg|[[Kyushu University]] ([[Imperial Universities|Former Imperial University]])
File:Fukuoka war damage monument.jpg|Fukuoka war damage monument
</gallery>

===21st century===
*2005: Fukuoka subway Nanakuma Line started operations.
*2014: Selected as the National Strategic Zone for "global startups & job creation" by [[Government of Japan|Japanese government]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://japan.kantei.go.jp/96_abe/actions/201403/8kokkasenryaku.html |title=Council on National Strategic Special Zones (The Prime Minister in Action) {{!}} Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet |access-date=26 July 2016 |archive-date=January 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127202452/http://japan.kantei.go.jp/96_abe/actions/201403/8kokkasenryaku.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Fukuoka by Sentinel-2, 2020-05-26.jpg|thumb|Satellite photo of Fukuoka]]
Fukuoka is bordered on three sides by mountains, surrounds [[Hakata Bay]] and opens on the north to the [[Genkai Sea]]. It is located {{cvt|1100.|km|0}} from Tokyo.

The nearest overseas region is [[Busan]] Metropolitan City in Gyeongsang-do, [[South Korea]], and the distance from [[Busan]] is about 180&nbsp;km (112 miles). Fukuoka and Busan are sister cities.

===Climate===
Fukuoka has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfa''), hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/japan/fukuoka |title=Climate – Fukuoka |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522180913/https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/japan/fukuoka |url-status=live }}</ref> The city also sees on average about {{cvt|1600|mm|0}} 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 {{cvt|16.3|°C|0}}, average humidity of 70% and 1,811 annual sunshine hours. Roughly 40% of the year is cloudy.

Winter temperatures rarely drop below {{cvt|0|°C|0}} and snow cover is rarely seen, though very light snow does fall on many days if not as consistently as on the [[Sea of Japan]] side of [[Honshu]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Japan Meteorological Agency]] |url=http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=82&prec_ch=%95%9F%89%AA%8C%A7&block_no=47807&block_ch=%95%9F%89%AA&year=&month=&day=&view=a1 |script-title=ja:気象庁 &#124; 平年値（年・月ごとの値） |access-date=21 June 2012 |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302072040/http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=82&prec_ch=%95%9F%89%AA%8C%A7&block_no=47807&block_ch=%95%9F%89%AA&year=&month=&day=&view=a1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Spring is warm and sunnier, with [[cherry blossom]]s appearing in late March or early April. The [[rainy season]] (''tsuyu'') lasts for approximately six weeks through June and July, during which time the humidity is very high and temperatures hover between {{cvt|25|°C|0}} and {{cvt|30|°C|0}}. Summers are humid and hot, with temperatures peaking around {{cvt|37|°C|0}}. Autumn, often considered to be Fukuoka's best season, is mild and dry, though the [[typhoon]] season runs between August and September.
{{Weather box
|location = Fukuoka (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1890−present)
|width = auto
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|Jan record high C = 21.5
|Feb record high C = 24.3
|Mar record high C = 26.3
|Apr record high C = 30.1
|May record high C = 32.3
|Jun record high C = 37.3
|Jul record high C = 38.3
|Aug record high C = 38.1
|Sep record high C = 38.0
|Oct record high C = 33.3
|Nov record high C = 28.2
|Dec record high C = 26.0
|Jan record low C = -6.0
|Feb record low C = -8.2
|Mar record low C = -4.7
|Apr record low C = -1.4
|May record low C = 1.4
|Jun record low C = 4.3
|Jul record low C = 13.8
|Aug record low C = 15.4
|Sep record low C = 7.9
|Oct record low C = 0.4
|Nov record low C = -2.1
|Dec record low C = -5.4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 74.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 69.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 103.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 118.2
|May precipitation mm = 133.7
|Jun precipitation mm = 249.6
|Jul precipitation mm = 299.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 210.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 175.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 94.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 91.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 67.5
|year precipitation mm = 1686.9
|Jan mean C = 6.9
|Feb mean C = 7.8
|Mar mean C = 10.8
|Apr mean C = 15.4
|May mean C = 19.9
|Jun mean C = 23.3
|Jul mean C = 27.4
|Aug mean C = 28.4
|Sep mean C = 24.7
|Oct mean C = 19.6
|Nov mean C = 14.2
|Dec mean C = 9.1
|year mean C = 17.3
|Jan high C = 10.2
|Feb high C = 11.6
|Mar high C = 15.0
|Apr high C = 19.9
|May high C = 24.4
|Jun high C = 27.2
|Jul high C = 31.2
|Aug high C = 32.5
|Sep high C = 28.6
|Oct high C = 23.7
|Nov high C = 18.2
|Dec high C = 12.6
|year high C = 21.3
|Jan low C = 3.9
|Feb low C = 4.4
|Mar low C = 7.2
|Apr low C = 11.5
|May low C = 16.1
|Jun low C = 20.3
|Jul low C = 24.6
|Aug low C = 25.4
|Sep low C = 21.6
|Oct low C = 16.0
|Nov low C = 10.6
|Dec low C = 5.8
|year low C = 14.0
|Jan humidity = 63
|Feb humidity = 62
|Mar humidity = 63
|Apr humidity = 64
|May humidity = 67
|Jun humidity = 75
|Jul humidity = 75
|Aug humidity = 72
|Sep humidity = 73
|Oct humidity = 68
|Nov humidity = 66
|Dec humidity = 63
|year humidity = 68
|Jan sun = 104.1
|Feb sun = 123.5
|Mar sun = 161.2
|Apr sun = 188.1
|May sun = 204.1
|Jun sun = 145.2
|Jul sun = 172.2
|Aug sun = 200.9
|Sep sun = 164.7
|Oct sun = 175.9
|Nov sun = 137.3
|Dec sun = 112.2
|year sun = 1889.4
|Jan snow cm = 1
|Feb snow cm = 1
|Mar snow cm = 0
|Apr snow cm = 0
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = 0
|Dec snow cm = 0
|year snow cm = 2
|unit precipitation days = 0.5 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 11.0
|Feb precipitation days = 10.7
|Mar precipitation days = 11.4
|Apr precipitation days = 10.8
|May precipitation days = 9.8
|Jun precipitation days = 12.7
|Jul precipitation days = 12.4
|Aug precipitation days = 11.2
|Sep precipitation days = 11.0
|Oct precipitation days = 7.9
|Nov precipitation days = 9.9
|Dec precipitation days = 10.2
|year precipitation days = 128.9
| Jan uv =3
| Feb uv =4
| Mar uv =6
| Apr uv =8
| May uv =9
| Jun uv =10
| Jul uv =11
| Aug uv =10
| Sep uv =8
| Oct uv =6
| Nov uv =4
| Dec uv =3
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_s.php?prec_no=82&block_no=47807&view=p1 |script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値) |publisher=[[Japan Meteorological Agency]] |access-date=August 22, 2018 |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228172601/http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_s.php?prec_no=82&block_no=47807&view=p1 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Weather Atlas<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/japan/fukuoka-climate |title=Fukuoka, Japan – Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast |website=Weather Atlas |access-date=9 July 2019 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709170122/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/japan/fukuoka-climate |url-status=live }}</ref>
|date=May 2021
}}

===Disaster===
====Earthquakes====
{{main|2005 Fukuoka earthquake}}

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 the [[Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale|Japanese intensity scale]] and hit at 10:53&nbsp;am local time on March 20, 2005, killing one person and injuring more than 400.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.earthquaketrack.com/p/japan/fukuoka/biggest |title=Biggest Earthquakes Near Fukuoka, Japan |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522111606/https://www.earthquaketrack.com/p/japan/fukuoka/biggest |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 of [[Nishi-ku, Fukuoka|Nishi-ku]], was the most severely damaged by the earthquake and almost all island residents were forced to evacuate. [[Aftershock]]s 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&nbsp;billion yen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ncmro.org/news/news_03.htm |script-title=ja:地震保険について |publisher=Nongovernmental crisis Management & Regeneration Organization (NPO) |access-date=November 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106154408/http://ncmro.org/news/news_03.htm |archive-date=January 6, 2009 |url-status=dead}}".</ref>

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 to [[Nishi-Nippon Railroad|Nishitetsu]]'s [[Tenjin Ōmuta Line|Ōmuta]] train line, and was previously thought to be {{cvt|22|km|0}} long. It is estimated to produce earthquakes as strong as [[Richter magnitude scale|magnitude]] 7 at the focus approximately once every 15,000 years. If the focus were located at a depth of {{cvt|10|km|0}}, 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. The [[probability]] 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 the [[Genkai Sea]], the Kego fault is now thought to be {{cvt|40|km|0}} 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.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Miyashita |first1=Y. |last2=Azuma |first2=T. |last3=Nikaido |first3=M. |last4=Okazaki |first4=K. |date=2006-12-01 |title=Evaluating Earthquake Potential Caused by the Active Kego Fault Beneath the Largest Urban Area in Southwest Japan Based on the Paleoseismological Surveys |url=https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2006AGUFM.T33A0498M |journal=AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts |volume=2006 |pages=T33A–0498|bibcode=2006AGUFM.T33A0498M }}</ref>

===Wards===
Fukuoka has 7 [[Wards of Japan|wards]] (''ku'').
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="810px"
! colspan="8" | Wards of Fukuoka
|-
! rowspan="2" |
! colspan="2" | Place Name
!
!
!
!
!Map of Fukuoka
|-
! style="width: 190px;" |[[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
! style="width: 190px;" |[[Kanji]]
!Color
!Population
!''Land area in km<sup>2</sup>''
!Pop. density
''per km<sup>2</sup>''
!
|-
| style="text-align: center;" "width: 20px;" | 1
|[[Higashi-ku, Fukuoka|Higashi-ku]]
|東区
|[[File:Japan WardColour 100x0x0.svg|16x16px]] red
|291 749
|66.68
|4 375.36
| rowspan="7" |[[File:Wards of Fukuoka City Japan.png|alt=|border|center|434x434px|A map of Fukuoka's Wards]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2
|[[Hakata-ku, Fukuoka|Hakata-ku]]
| 博多区
|[[File:Japan_WardColour_60x80x0.png|16x16px]] light green
|212 108
|31.47
|6 740.01
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 3
|[[Chūō-ku, Fukuoka|Chūō-ku]]<br />(administrative center)
| 中央区
|[[File:Japan_WardColour_0x40x100.png|16x16px]] blue
|176 739
|15.16
|11,658.24
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 4
|[[Minami-ku, Fukuoka|Minami-ku]]
| 南区
|[[File:Japan_WardColour_100x80x0.png|16x16px]] yellow
|248 901
|30.98
|8 034.25
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 5
|[[Jōnan-ku, Fukuoka|Jōnan-ku]]
| 城南区
|[[File:Japan WardColour 100x40x0.svg|16x16px]] orange
|128 883
|16.02
|8 045.13
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 6
|[[Sawara-ku, Fukuoka|Sawara-ku]]
| 早良区
|[[File:Japan_WardColour_20x80x40.png|16x16px]] green
|211 889
|95.88
|2 209.42
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 7
|[[Nishi-ku, Fukuoka|Nishi-ku]]
| 西区
|[[File:Japan_WardColour_100x40x100.png|16x16px]] pink
|190 288
|83.81
|2 270.47
|}

===Cityscape===
<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" heights="110" perrow="3" caption="">
File:Fukuoka night view.jpg|[[Skyline]] of Fukuoka
File:View from Fukuoka Tower at Blue Hour.jpg|View from Fukuoka Tower
File:Fukuoka_Seaside_Momochi_Aerial_Shoot.jpg|Seaside Momochi aerial view
File:Fukuoka City - Watanabe-dori Avenue - 01.JPG|Tenjin area
File:Seaside-momochi.JPG|[[Fukuoka Tower]]
File:JR Hakata City 2011 Jan.jpg|[[JR Kyushu]]'s [[Hakata Station]]
File:Ukimido Hall of Ohori Park.JPG|[[Ōhori Park]]
File:Tenjin Chikagai(Tenjin Underground City) - 01.JPG|Tenjin Underground City
</gallery>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title = Historical population
|type = Japan
|align = right
|width = 
|state = 
|shading = 
|percentages = 
|footnote = 
|1920|239956
|1925|274414
|1930|321276
|1935|372500
|1940|398478
|1945|416332
|1950|487885
|1955|591868
|1960|632365
|1965|769176
|1970|871717
|1975|1002201
|1980|1088588
|1985|1160440
|1990|1237062
|1995|1284795
|2000|1341470
|2005|1401279
|2010|1463826
|2015|1538681
|2020|1603043
}}

{{As of|2018|alt=As of November 2018}}, the city had an estimated population of 1,581,527 and a population density of {{convert|4,515.64|pd/sqkm}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/soki/tokeichosa/shisei/toukei/jinkou/jinnkousokuhou.html |website=city.fukuoka.lg.jp |script-title=ja:福岡市 福岡市推計人口（最新） |access-date=19 November 2018 |archive-date=March 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324224021/https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/soki/tokeichosa/shisei/toukei/jinkou/jinnkousokuhou.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The total area is {{convert|343.39|km2|2|abbr=out}}. Fukuoka is Japan's youngest major city and has Japan's fastest growing population.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://facts.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/data/population/ |title=増えているのは，選ばれているから。- 人口増加数・増加率、若者（10代・20代）の割合 - |date=May 23, 2017 |website=Fukuoka Facts |access-date=November 19, 2018 |archive-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211204346/http://facts.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/data/population/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Between December 2012 and December 2017, the proportion of foreign-born residents increased faster than any other major city in Japan, including Tokyo.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://facts.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/data/foreigner/ |title=外国人からの人気も上昇中－在留外国人の伸び率－ |date=July 31, 2018 |website=Fukuoka Facts |access-date=November 19, 2018 |archive-date=November 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120095612/http://facts.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/data/foreigner/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

There were 171 homeless residents counted in 2018's annual survey, down from a high of 969 in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/data/open/cnt/3/65016/1/homeresupaburikkukomentobosyuu2018.pdf |title=ホームレス自立支援実施計画（第４次）案 |website=Fukuoka City Data |access-date=January 26, 2019 |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416235440/http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/data/open/cnt/3/65016/1/homeresupaburikkukomentobosyuu2018.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

As of March 2023, Fukuoka had a population of 1,632,713 with 770,276 males and 862,437 females.<ref>{{Cite web |title=福岡市 福岡市推計・登録人口（最新） |url=https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/soki/tokeichosa/shisei/toukei/jinkou/jinnkousokuhou.html |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=福岡市 |language=ja |archive-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003164737/https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/soki/tokeichosa/shisei/toukei/jinkou/jinnkousokuhou.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Fukuoka Metropolitan Employment Area 2015.png|thumb|Fukuoka [[Urban Employment Area|MEA]]]]
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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/data/open/cnt/3/45791/1/270629-houkoku-siryou-keizai.pdf |script-title=ja:国家戦略特区「福岡市 グローバル創業・雇用創出特区」 |date=June 2015 |website=国家戦略特区「福岡市 グローバル創業・雇用創出特区」 |publisher=Fukuoka city government |access-date=July 25, 2016 |archive-date=August 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821202407/http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/data/open/cnt/3/45791/1/270629-houkoku-siryou-keizai.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> They have various services for startups like startup visas, tax reductions, and free business consultations. Fukuoka has the highest business-opening rate in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://f-tokku.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/ |script-title=ja:福岡特区通信 |website=f-tokku.city.fukuoka.lg.jp |access-date=25 July 2016 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123131651/http://f-tokku.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/ |archive-date=January 23, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Large companies headquartered in the city include [[Iwataya]] and [[Kyushu 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 of [[Kitakyushu]].

The GDP in Greater Fukuoka, Fukuoka [[Urban Employment Area|Metropolitan Employment Area]], was US$101.6&nbsp;billion in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.csis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/UEA/uea_data_e.htm |title=Metropolitan Employment Area (MEA) Data |author=Yoshitsugu Kanemoto |publisher=Center for Spatial Information Science, The University of Tokyo |access-date=June 22, 2016 |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615111107/http://www.csis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/UEA/uea_data_e.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://data.oecd.org/conversion/exchange-rates.htm Conversion rates – Exchange rates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201220924/https://data.oecd.org/conversion/exchange-rates.htm |date=February 1, 2018 }}. ''OECD Data''.</ref> Fukuoka is the primary economic center of the Fukuoka-Kitakyushu [[List of metropolitan areas in Japan|metropolitan area]], which is the 4th largest economy in Japan. As of 2014, the area's [[Purchasing power parity|PPP]]-adjusted GDP is estimated to be larger than those of metropolitan areas such as [[Melbourne]], Kuala Lumpur, [[Lima]], Vienna, [[Barcelona]] and Rome.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/global-metro-monitor/ |title=Global Metro Monitor |date=January 22, 2015 |access-date=January 26, 2019 |archive-date=January 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107040203/https://www.brookings.edu/research/global-metro-monitor/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Several regional broadcasters are based in the city, including [[Fukuoka Broadcasting Corporation]], [[Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting]], [[Love FM (Japan)|Love FM]], [[RKB Mainichi Broadcasting]], and [[Television Nishinippon Corporation]].

The port of Hakata and [[Fukuoka Airport]] also make the city a key regional transportation hub. Fukuoka houses the headquarters of [[Kyushu Railway Company]] (JR Kyushu) and [[Nishi-Nippon Railroad]]. [[Air Next]], a subsidiary of [[All Nippon Airways]], is headquartered in [[Hakata-ku, Fukuoka|Hakata-ku]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airnext.ana-g.com/company/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041207152108/http://www.airnext.ana-g.com/company/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 7, 2004 |script-title=ja:会社概要 |publisher=Air Next |access-date=May 20, 2009}}</ref> prior to its dissolution, [[Harlequin Air]] was also headquartered in Hakata-ku.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://harlequin-air.co.jp/menu/corporate/corporate_1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041027012833/http://harlequin-air.co.jp/menu/corporate/corporate_1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 27, 2004 |script-title=ja:会社概要 |publisher=Harlequin Air |access-date=May 20, 2009}}</ref>

Fukuoka has its own [[stock exchange]], founded in 1949. It is one of six in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fse.or.jp/ |title=FSE.org.jp |publisher=Fukuoka Stock Exchange |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=February 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215151359/http://www.fse.or.jp/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Fukuoka is one of the most affordable cities in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=Japan&city1=New+York%2C+NY&city2=Fukuoka |title=numbeo.com |access-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806210038/https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=Japan&city1=New+York%2C+NY&city2=Fukuoka |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:アクロス福岡 (Acros Fukuoka) - panoramio.jpg|thumb|alt=Cultureal Center building|ACROS Fukuoka]]
Fukuoka was selected as one of ''[[Newsweek]]''{{'}}s 10 "Most Dynamic Cities" in its July 2006 issue.<ref>[http://www.newsweek.com/id/46125/output/print Newsweek] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006010025/http://www.newsweek.com/id/46125/output/print |date=October 6, 2008 }} Print Article. Retrieved November 15, 2008</ref> 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 (lifestyle magazine)|Monocle]]'' selected Fukuoka as number 17 of the "Top 25 liveable cities".<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/denmark/2098269/Copenhagen-named-worlds-best-city-for-quality-of-life-by-Monocle-magazine.html Copenhagen named world's best city for quality of life by ''Monocle'' magazine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130211413/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/denmark/2098269/Copenhagen-named-worlds-best-city-for-quality-of-life-by-Monocle-magazine.html |date=January 30, 2018 }} Nick Allen, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', June 9, 2008</ref> 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.<ref>''Monocle'', July/August 2008, issue 15, volume 02, page 26</ref> The same survey in 2018 ranked Fukuoka at number 22.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://monocle.com/film/affairs/quality-of-life-survey-top-25-cities-2018/ |title=''Monocle'' Quality of Life survey 2018 |access-date=November 11, 2018 |archive-date=August 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821192440/https://monocle.com/film/affairs/quality-of-life-survey-top-25-cities-2018/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

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.

The [[Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize]] was established to honor the outstanding work of individuals or organizations in Asia.

===Tourism===
{{See also|Hakata-ku, Fukuoka#Economy#Cruise ship tourism}}
Fukuoka hosts more than 2 million foreign visitors annually, with the majority coming from neighboring South Korea, Taiwan and China.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://honichi.com/areas/kyushuokinawa/fukuoka/ |title=福岡県のインバウンド需要 |year=2016 |website=Honichi Inbound |access-date=November 23, 2018 |archive-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124162524/https://honichi.com/areas/kyushuokinawa/fukuoka/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cruise ships with Chinese tourists pour into Japan |url=http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/cruise-ships-with-chinese-tourists-pour-into-japan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312093050/http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/cruise-ships-with-chinese-tourists-pour-into-japan |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |agency=Kyodo |newspaper=Japan Today |date=March 12, 2016}}</ref>

Nearly ten thousand international students attend universities in or near the Fukuoka prefecture each year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kokusaihiroba.or.jp/english/city/data.html |url-status=dead |title=Information on International Exchanges in Fukuoka Prefecture: Alien Registration and International Student Data |publisher=Fukuoka International Exchange Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409095145/http://www.kokusaihiroba.or.jp/english/city/data.html |archive-date=April 9, 2018 }}</ref> Nearly 200 international conferences are held each year in Fukuoka.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jnto.go.jp/jpn/news/press_releases/pdf/pdf/131218_mice_report.pdf |script-title=ja:2012 年の 「日本の国際会議 開催件数」 を発表 |website=jnto.go.jp |date=December 18, 2013 |access-date=March 28, 2014 |archive-date=January 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204445/http://www.jnto.go.jp/jpn/news/press_releases/pdf/pdf/131218_mice_report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Attractions====
[[File:Canalcityhakatainner.jpg|thumb|[[Canal City Hakata]]]]
[[File:Gojunoto Tower of Tochoji Temple 2.jpg|thumb|[[Tōchō-ji]]]]
[[File:Hakata-style ramen.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Hakata ramen]]]]

Fukuoka Castle, located adjacent to Ohori Park in Maizuru Park, features the remaining stone walls and ramparts<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welcomekyushu.com/event/?mode=detail&id=9999901005102&isSpot=1&isEvent= |title=Fukoka Castle Ruins｜Sightseeing Spots｜Kyushu Tourism Information |website=Kyushu Tourism Information [ Japan ] |access-date=March 26, 2016 |archive-date=December 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230003921/http://www.welcomekyushu.com/event/?mode=detail&id=9999901005102&isSpot=1&isEvent= |url-status=live }}</ref> left after a devastating fire during the upheaval of the [[Meiji 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 major [[Fukuoka Art Museum|art galleries]].

There are many temples with long histories including [[Tōchō-ji]], [[Hakozaki Shrine]], [[Kashii-gū|Kashii shrine]], and [[Jōten-ji]]. The Buddhist [[Nanzo-in|Nanzoin temple]] is located in [[Sasaguri, Fukuoka|Sasaguri]], just east of Fukuoka. It is claimed to be the largest statue of a [[reclining Buddha]] in the world. It has to be mentioned though that in Thailand there are three, and in Myanmar six reclining Buddha statues that are larger than the Sasaguri statue, one of them being 180 meters long as opposed to the 42 meters of the one in Fukuoka prefecture. It is possible though that the Sasaguri reclining Buddha is the largest plastic reclining Buddha statue in the world.

[[Sky Dream Fukuoka]], in Fukuoka's western ward, was a [[Ferris 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/data/open/cnt/3/63159/1/honpen.pdf?20180410133441 |title=福岡市観光統計 |date=March 2, 2017 |website=Fukuoka City Data |access-date=November 23, 2018 |archive-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124162312/http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/data/open/cnt/3/63159/1/honpen.pdf?20180410133441 |url-status=live }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marine-world.co.jp/english/ |title=Wellcome Marine-World WEB PAGE!! |access-date=26 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319173855/http://www.marine-world.co.jp/english/ |archive-date=March 19, 2016}}</ref>

For tourists from other parts of Japan, local foods such as [[mentaiko]], [[Hakata ramen|Hakata (tonkotsu) ramen]], and [[motsunabe]] are associated with Fukuoka. [[Yatai (retail)|Yatai]] (street stalls) serving ramen can be found in Tenjin and [[Nakasu]] 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sennyoji.or.jp/ |script-title=ja:雷山千如寺 大悲王院 （公式サイト） |website=sennyoji.or.jp |access-date=November 26, 2016 |archive-date=May 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510205036/http://www.sennyoji.or.jp/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Museums===
[[File:Fukuoka_City_Museum_2.JPG|thumb|Fukuoka City Museum]]

*[[Fukuoka Art Museum]] – In Ohori Park; contains a wide selection of contemporary and other art from around the world, including works by [[Mark Rothko]], [[Roy Lichtenstein]], and [[Salvador Dalí]].
*Fukuoka Asian Art Museum – contains art from various countries of Asia.
*[[Fukuoka City Museum]] – displays a broad range of items from the region's history, including a spectacular gold seal.
*[[Fukuoka Oriental Ceramics Museum]]
*[[Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art]]
*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.
*[[Kyushu National Museum]] in nearby [[Dazaifu, Fukuoka|Dazaifu]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bemarietravels.com/day-trips-from-fukuoka-kyushu-itinerary/ |title=Easy Day Trips From Fukuoka; A North Kyushu Itinerary |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522111633/https://bemarietravels.com/day-trips-from-fukuoka-kyushu-itinerary/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Festivals===
[[File:Hakata gion yamakasa 2006 02.jpg|right|thumb|Hakata Gion Yamakasa]]

Fukuoka is home to many festivals ([[Japanese festivals|matsuri]]) that are held throughout the year. Of these, the most famous are ''[[Hakata Dontaku]]'' and ''[[Hakata Gion Yamakasa]]''.

====Yamakasa====
{{nihongo||山笠|Yamakasa}}, held for two weeks each July,<ref name="yamak">[http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/history/traditionalevents/a32_fes_yamakasa.html Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218070703/http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/history/traditionalevents/a32_fes_yamakasa.html |date=February 18, 2011 }}. Japan National Tourist Organization. Retrieved March 19, 2008.</ref> 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.<ref name="cog">[http://kyushu.com/fukuoka/features/yamagasa_1/ The Yamakasa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120002501/https://kyushu.com/fukuoka/features/yamagasa_1/ |date=November 20, 2018 }}. Cogito Kyushu Networks. Retrieved March 19, 2008.</ref><ref name="web">[http://web-japan.org/atlas/festivals/fes22.html Hakata Gion Yamakasa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007160523/http://web-japan.org/atlas/festivals/fes22.html |date=October 7, 2007 }}. WebJapan. Retrieved March 19, 2008.</ref> 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 wear ''shimekomi'' (called ''[[fundoshi]]'' 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 long ''[[happi]]'' coats bearing the distinctive mark of their team affiliation and traditional ''[[geta (footwear)|geta]]'' 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.
<gallery class="center">
File:Yamagasa uniform 1.png|The uniform used during the ceremonies and preparation
File:Yamagasa uniform 2.png|The uniform used during the competition
</gallery>

====Hakata Dontaku====
{{nihongo||博多どんたく|Hakata Dontaku}} 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's [[Golden Week (Japan)|Golden Week]] holidays. During the festival, stages are erected throughout downtown for traditional performances and a parade of floats is held. The full name is ''Hakata Dontaku Minato Matsuri''.<ref name="dontaku">[http://www.hakatadontaku.jp/don_english/index.html Hakata Dontaku Minato Matsuri] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206221647/http://www.hakatadontaku.jp/don_english/index.html |date=February 6, 2007 }}. {{in lang|ja}} Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Retrieved March 19, 2008.</ref>

The festival was stopped for seven years during the [[Meiji era]]. Since it was restarted in the 12th year of the Meiji era it has been known as ''Hakata Dontaku''.

===Music===
Notable musical names in [[J-pop]] include [[Ayumi Hamasaki]] (allegedly Japan's richest woman), hugely popular singer-songwriter duo [[Chage and Aska|Chage & Aska]], singer-songwriter [[Eri Nobuchika]], [[Misia]], and [[Yui (singer)|Yui]]. During the 1970s, local musicians prided themselves on their origins and dubbed their sound, [[Mentai Rock]].

[[Morning Musume]] 6th generation member [[Reina Tanaka]] was also born here in 1989 along with 9th generation member [[Erina Ikuta]] in 1997.

[[Dominican Republic|Dominican]] songwriter and singer [[Juan Luis Guerra]] pays homage to the city in his [[bachata (music)|bachata]] song ''[[Bachata en Fukuoka]]'' (2010).

[[HKT 48]] have their own Theater at Nishitetsu Hall.

Ezaki Hikaru of the [[k-pop]] group [[Kep1er]] was born in Fukuoka.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kprofiles.com/kep1er-members-profile-facts/ |title=Kep1er Members Profile and Facts (Updated!) |date=October 22, 2021 |access-date=March 30, 2022 |archive-date=November 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112123710/https://kprofiles.com/kep1er-members-profile-facts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Transport==
{{Main|Transport in Fukuoka-Kitakyushu}}
[[File:Fukuoka Airport international terminal.jpg|thumb|International terminal of [[Fukuoka Airport]]]]
[[File:Baysideplace001.jpg|thumb|Bayside Place Hakata Port]]

Fukuoka is served by [[Fukuoka Airport]], the [[San'yō Shinkansen]] and the [[Kyushu Shinkansen]] high-speed rail line and other [[Kyushu Railway Company|JR Kyushu]] trains at [[Hakata Station]] and by ferry. JR Kyushu and a Korean company operate [[hydrofoil]] ferries (named ''[[Beetle (JR Kyushu)|Beetle]]'' and ''[[Kobee]]'') between Hakata and [[Busan]], South Korea. The city has three [[Fukuoka City Subway|subway]] lines: the [[Kūkō Line (Fukuoka City Subway)|Kūkō Line]], the [[Hakozaki Line]], and the newest one, Subway [[Nanakuma Line]], opened on February 2, 2005. A private railway line, run by [[Nishitetsu]] is also heavily used and connects the downtown area of Tenjin to the city of [[Ōmuta, Fukuoka|Ōmuta]].

==Sports==
[[File:FUKUOKA DOME.JPG|thumb|[[Fukuoka PayPay Dome]]]]
[[File:Level5_Stadium_02.JPG|thumb|[[Level-5 Stadium]]]]

Fukuoka is the home of the [[Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks]], one of Japan's top professional [[baseball]] teams. Threatened with bankruptcy and forced by its creditors to restructure, former owner [[Daiei]] sold the Hawks to [[Softbank Group]] in 2004. After the sale to Softbank, the Hawks have become one of the most successful teams in [[Nippon Professional Baseball|NPB]], winning 6 [[Japan Series]] title in 8 years. Their home stadium is the [[Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka]].

Fukuoka is home to a professional [[association football|football]] team, [[Avispa Fukuoka]].

Annual sporting events include:
*The All Japan Judo Category Championships are held in early April.
*The [[Kyushu ekiden]], beginning in [[Nagasaki]] and ending in Fukuoka, the world's longest [[relay race]], held in October. (Defunct)
*The November [[honbasho|tournament]] of professional [[Sumo]] is held at the [[Fukuoka Convention Center|Fukuoka Kokusai Center]].

Fukuoka has hosted the following sporting events:
*[[Fukuoka Marathon]] from 1947 through 2021.
*[[1983 Asian Volleyball Championship for Women]]
*[[1995 Summer Universiade]]
*[[1997 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships]]
*[[1998 Women's Volleyball World Championship]]
*[[1999 Asian Basketball Championship]]
*[[2001 World Aquatics Championships]].
*[[2006 IAAF World Cross Country Championships]].
*Fukuoka International Women's [[Judo]] Championships from 1983 to 2006.
*[[2013–14 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final]]
*[[2023 World Aquatics Championships]]

===Sports teams and facilities===
{|class=wikitable
|-
! scope="col" | Club
! scope="col" | Sports
! scope="col" | League
! scope="col" | Venue
! scope="col" | Established
|-
| [[Kyuden Voltex]]
| [[Rugby union|Rugby]]
| [[Top League]]
| [[Level-5 Stadium]]
| 1951
|-
| [[Coca-Cola Red Sparks]]
| [[Rugby union|Rugby]]
| [[Top League]]
| Sawayaka Sports Park
| 1966
|-
| [[Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks]]
| [[Baseball]]
| [[Pacific League]]
| [[Fukuoka PayPay Dome]]
| 1989 (year of relocation from [[Ōsaka]] as Daiei Hawks, changed to current name from 2005)
|-
| [[Avispa Fukuoka]]
| Association football
| [[J. League]]
| [[Hakata no mori stadium|Level-5 Stadium]]
| 1995 (year of relocation from [[Fujieda, Shizuoka]] as Fukuoka Blux, changed to current name from 1996)
|-
| Fukuoka J-Anclas
| Association football
| [[L. League|Nadeshiko League]]
| Level-5 Stadium
| 1986 (as Fukuoka Jogakuin High School football club, changed to a senior club team and participated Nadeshiko League Div. 2 from 2006)
|-
| [[Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka]]
| [[Basketball]]
| [[B.League]]
| Accion Fukuoka
| 2007
|-
| [[Otonari Fukuoka Suns|Fukuoka Suns]]
| [[American Football]]
| [[X-League (Japan)|X-League]]
| [[Hakata-ku, Fukuoka]]
|2017
|}

==Education==
Fukuoka City operates all public elementary and junior high schools, while the prefecture operates the high schools.

;National universities
*{{nihongo|[[Kyushu University]]|九州大学|Kyushu Daigaku}}
**{{nihongo|[[Kyushu Institute of Design]]|九州芸術工科大学|Kyushu Geijutsu Kōka Daigaku}} – merged with Kyushu University in October 2003

;Prefectural university
*{{nihongo|[[Fukuoka Women's University]]|福岡女子大学|Fukuoka Joshi Daigaku}}

;Private universities
*{{nihongo|[[Daiichi University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences]]|第一薬科大学|Daiichi Yakka Daigaku}}
*{{nihongo|[[Fukuoka Institute of Technology]]|福岡工業大学|Fukuoka Kōgyō Daigaku}}
*{{nihongo|[[Fukuoka Jo Gakuin University]]|福岡女学院大学|Fukuoka Jogakuin Daigaku}}
*{{nihongo|[[Fukuoka University]]|福岡大学|Fukuoka Daigaku}}
*{{nihongo|[[Kyushu Sangyo University]]|九州産業大学|Kyushu Sangyō Daigaku}}
*{{nihongo|[[Nakamura Gakuen University]]|中村学園大学|Nakamura Gakuen Daigaku}}
*{{nihongo|[[Seinan Gakuin University]]|西南学院大学|Seinan Gakuin Daigaku}}

;Colleges
*{{nihongo|[[Fukuoka College of Health Sciences]]|福岡医療短期大学|Fukuoka Iryō Tanki Daigaku}}
*Fukuoka Institute of Technology, [[Junior college]] (福岡工業大学短期大学部|Fukuoka Kōgyō Daigaku Tanki Daigakubu)
*{{nihongo|[[Junshin Junior College]]|純真短期大学|Junshin Tanki Daigaku}}
*{{nihongo|[[Koran Women's Junior College]]|香蘭女子短期大学|Kōran Joshi Tanki Daigaku}}
*{{nihongo|[[Kyushu Zokei Art College]]|九州造形短期大学|Kyushu Zōkei Tanki Daigaku}}
*{{nihongo|Nakamura Gakuen Junior College|中村学園大学短期大学部|Nakamura Gakuen Daigaku Tanki Daigakubu}}
*{{nihongo|Nishinihon Junior College|西日本短期大学|Nishi Nihon Tanki Daigaku}}
*{{nihongo|[[Seika Women's Junior College]]|精華女子短期大学|Seika Joshi Tanki Daigaku}}

;Catholic schools
*[[Sophia Fukuoka Junior and Senior High School]]

==International relations==
Fukuoka has ten [[sister cities]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/sisei/gaiyou/06.html |script-title=ja:姉妹都市交流 |trans-title=Sister City Relations |publisher=Fukuoka City |language=ja |access-date=7 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324073214/http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/sisei/gaiyou/06.html |archive-date=March 24, 2012}}</ref>

*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[California|CA]], United States, since October 1962
*{{flagicon|PRC}} [[Guangzhou]], China, since February 1979<ref name="Guangzhou twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://www.gzwaishi.gov.cn/Category_121/Index.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024091437/http://www.gzwaishi.gov.cn/Category_121/Index.aspx |title=Guangzhou Sister Cities''[via WaybackMachine.com]'' |publisher=Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office |archive-date=October 24, 2012 |access-date=21 July 2013}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|France}} [[Bordeaux]], [[Nouvelle-Aquitaine]], France , since November 1982<ref name="Bordeaux twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://www.bordeaux.fr/p63778/europe%C2%A0et%C2%A0international |title=Bordeaux – Rayonnement européen et mondial |access-date=29 July 2013 |work=Mairie de Bordeaux |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207154903/http://www.bordeaux.fr/p63778/europe%C2%A0et%C2%A0international |archive-date=February 7, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Bordeaux twinnings 2">{{cite web |url=http://www.cncd.fr/frontoffice/bdd-recherche-resultat.asp?searchField=bordeaux&x=36&y=14 |title=Bordeaux-Atlas français de la coopération décentralisée et des autres actions extérieures |access-date=29 July 2013 |work=Délégation pour l'Action Extérieure des Collectivités Territoriales (Ministère des Affaires étrangères) |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207152951/http://www.cncd.fr/frontoffice/bdd-recherche-resultat.asp?searchField=bordeaux&x=36&y=14 |archive-date=February 7, 2013}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Naples]], [[Campania]], Italy, since October 1983
*{{flagicon|NZ}} [[Auckland]], New Zealand, since June 1986
*{{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Ipoh]], [[Perak]], Malaysia, since March 1989
*{{flagicon|PRC}} [[Qingdao]], [[Shandong]], China, since February 2003
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|GA]], United States, since February 2005
*{{flagicon|ROK}} [[Busan]], South Korea, since February 2007
*{{flagicon|India}} [[Delhi]], India, friendship city since November 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_udd/Urban+Development/Our+Services/International+Affairs+Cell+(IC)/Sisters+City+Agreements/ |title=SISTER-CITY AGREEMENTS/ MEMORANDUM |work=Department of Urban Development, [[Government of Delhi]] |access-date=February 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601181749/http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_udd/Urban+Development/Our+Services/International+Affairs+Cell+(IC)/Sisters+City+Agreements/ |archive-date=June 1, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Myanmar}} [[Yangon]], Myanmar, since December 2016

The city established the Asian Pacific City Summit in 1994. It consists of 26 Asia-Pacific cities. The [[Asian Pacific Children's Convention]] was established in Fukuoka in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asian Pacific Children's Convention |url=http://jashawaii.org/edu2.asp |website=Japan-America Society of Hawaii |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228183005/http://jashawaii.org/edu2.asp |archive-date=February 28, 2009}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{div col|colwidth=26em}} <!-- please respect alphabetical order -->
*[[Jirō Akagawa]], novelist
*[[Aska (singer)]] ([[Chage and Aska]])
*[[Sonny Chiba]], actor, singer, film producer, film director and [[martial artist]]
*[[Kaibara Ekken]], [[Neo-Confucianism|Neo-Confucianist]] philosopher
*[[Chiya Fujino]], writer
*[[Noriko Fukuda]], TV announcer
*[[Kenji Hamada]], voice actor
*[[Ayumi Hamasaki]], Japan's best selling solo artist in history
*[[Angela Harry]], model and actress
*[[Kanna Hashimoto]], actress, singer and former idol
*[[Hazuki (wrestler)|Hazuki]], professional joshi wrestler
*[[Riko Higashio]], [[professional golfer]]
*[[Kiyoshi Hikawa]], enka singer
*[[Kōki Hirota]], politician: 32nd [[Prime Minister of Japan]]
*[[HKT48]], idol group
*[[Yōsuke Ideguchi]], Footballer for [[Avispa Fukuoka]], on loan from [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]]
*[[Hiroe Igeta]], model, actress and tarento
*[[Elaiza Ikeda]], model and actress
*[[Erina Ikuta]], J-pop singer and member of [[Morning Musume]]
*[[Mio Imada]], actress and model
*[[Tomo Inouye]], medical doctor
*[[Ryo Ishibashi]], actor and musician
*[[Sui Ishida]], manga artist
*[[Gakuryū Ishii]], film director
*[[Kanikapila]], rock band
*[[Ai Kawashima]], singer-songwriter
*[[Yoshinori Kobayashi]], manga artist
*Masamune Kusano, vocalist of [[Spitz (band)|Spitz]]
*[[Yumeno Kyūsaku]], novelist
*[[Maika (wrestler)|Maika]], professional joshi
*[[Misia]], J-pop singer
*[[Kento Miyahara]], professional wrestler
*[[Yume Miyamoto]], actress and voice actress
*[[Ryutaro Nakahara]], DJ, musician, composer and arranger
*[[Kenzo Nakamura]], Judo athlete
*[[Katsuhiko Nakajima]], professional wrestler
*[[Ai Nonaka]], voice actress
*[[Wakana (singer, born 1984)|Wakana Ootaki]], singer, member of [[Kalafina]]
*[[Kenshō Ono]], voice actor
*[[Yukari Oshima]], actress
*[[Victoria Principal]], American actress
* Moka Sakai, K-pop Idol, girl group [[Illit]]
*[[Noriko Sakai]], singer and actress
*[[Nao Sakuma]], [[principal dancer]] with [[Birmingham Royal Ballet]]
*[[Kensuke Sasaki]], professional wrestler
*[[Kohei Uchimura]], artistic gymnast
*[[Sayuri (musician)|Sayuri]], singer-songwriter
*[[Kōji Seto]], actor
*[[Eihi Shiina]], model and actress
*[[Ringo Shiina]], J-pop singer born in [[Saitama Prefecture]] and raised in Fukuoka
*[[Polkadot Stingray]], rock band
*[[Keita Tachibana]], J-pop singer and member of [[W-inds]]
*[[Takehiro Tomiyasu]], footballer for [[Arsenal F.C.]]
*[[Akitomo Takeno]], basketball player
*[[Dan Takuma]], businessman
*[[Tamori]], TV presenter
*[[Kane Tanaka]], oldest verified Japanese person ever and second oldest verified person ever
*[[Reina Tanaka]], J-pop singer and a member of [[Morning Musume]] and [[Lovendor]]
*[[Ryoko Tani]], judo athlete
*[[Rintaro Tokunaga]], basketball player
*[[Misa Uehara]] (1937–2003), actress
*Ren Kawashiri, J-pop singer/dancer, member of [[JO1]] <!-- He was born on March 2, 1997, and grew up in the city. -->
*[[Ryutaro Umeno]], baseball player for the [[Hanshin Tigers]]
*[[Masaaki Yuasa]], director
*[[Yui (singer)|Yui]], singer
*[[Takumi Iroha]], [[Joshi puroresu|Japanese professional wrestler]]
*[[Sosuke Ikematsu]], [[movie actor]], [[television actor]] and [[theatre actor]]
*[[Haruto Watanabe]], K-pop Idol, boy group [[Treasure (band)]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
*[[2006 Fukuoka mayoral election]]
*[[List of Places of Scenic Beauty of Japan (Fukuoka)]]
*[[List of Historic Sites of Japan (Fukuoka)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{EB1911 poster|Fukuoka}}
*[http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/index.html Fukuoka City official website] {{in lang|ja}}
*[https://www.welcome-fukuoka.or.jp/english/ Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau]
*[http://yokanavi.com/eg/index/index Official Tourism Site of Fukuoka City]
*[http://www.fukuoka-now.com/ Fukuoka Now]

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