Editing Fukuoka Prefecture

{{Short description|Prefecture of Japan}}
{{Redirect|Fukuoka, Japan|the city|Fukuoka}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name               = Fukuoka Prefecture
| native_name        = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|福岡県}}}}
| settlement_type    = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| translit_lang1     = Japanese
| translit_lang1_type = [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| translit_lang1_info = {{lang|ja|福岡県}}
| translit_lang1_type1 = [[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
| translit_lang1_info1 = {{lang|ja-Latn|Fukuoka-ken}}
| image_skyline      = Fukuoka Skyline of Seaside Momochi.jpg
| image_caption      = Aerial view of the seaside {{ill|Momochi-hama|ja|3=シーサイドももち|lt=Momochi}} with the [[Fukuoka Tower]] and Momochi Seaside Park in the center and with the [[Fukuoka PayPay Dome]] to the left side
| image_flag         = Flag of Fukuoka Prefecture.svg
| flag_size          = 100px
| image_blank_emblem = Emblem of Fukuoka Prefecture.svg
| blank_emblem_size  = 80px
| blank_emblem_type  = Symbol
| image_map          = Map of Japan with highlight on 40 Fukuoka prefecture.svg
| coordinates        = {{coord|33|36|N|130|35|E|region:JP-40_type:adm1st|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Kyushu]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of islands of Japan|Island]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Kyushu]]
| seat_type          = [[List of capitals in Japan|Capital]]
| seat               = [[Fukuoka]]
| parts_type         = Subdivisions
| parts_style        = para
| p1                 = [[Districts of Japan|Districts]]: 12
| p2                 = [[Municipalities of Japan|Municipalities]]: 60
| leader_title       = [[List of prefectural governors in Japan|Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[Seitaro Hattori]]<ref name="Seitaro Hattori, former vice governor of Fukuoka Prefecture, was elected governor of the southwestern Japan prefecture of Fukuoka.">{{cite news |title=Hattori Elected Fukuoka Governor for 1st Time |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2021041100378/ |access-date=11 May 2022 |agency=NHK |publisher=Jiji Press |date=April 12, 2021 |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511140057/https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2021041100378/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> (since April 2021)
| area_total_km2     = 4986.52
| area_water_percent = 2.3
| area_rank          = [[List of Japanese prefectures by area|29th]]
| population_total   = 5092442
| population_as_of   = February 1, 2025
| population_rank    = [[List of Japanese prefectures by population|8th]]
| population_density_km2 = 1021
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=2020年度国民経済計算（2015年基準・2008SNA） : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府 |url=https://www.esri.cao.go.jp/jp/sna/data/data_list/kakuhou/files/2020/2020_kaku_top.html |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=内閣府ホームページ |language=ja |archive-date=September 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924062316/https://www.esri.cao.go.jp/jp/sna/data/data_list/kakuhou/files/2020/2020_kaku_top.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = [[JP¥]]19,942 billion<br />[[US$]]183.0 billion (2019)
| iso_code           = JP-40
| website            = [http://www.pref.fukuoka.lg.jp/somu/multilingual/english/top.html www.pref.fukuoka.lg.jp/somu/<br>multilingual/english/top.html]
| module             = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| country                  = Japan
| bird                     = [[Japanese bush warbler]] (''Cettia&nbsp;diphone'')
| flower                   = ''[[Ume]]'' [[blossom]] (''Prunus mume'')
| tree                     = [[Azalea]] (''Rhododendron&nbsp;tsutsusi'')
}}
| anthem             = 希望の光<br>''[[:ja:希望の光 (県民歌)|Kibō no Hikari]]''<br>"Light of Hope"
| population_blank1_title = Dialects
| population_blank1  = [[Chikuzen dialect|Chikuzen]]・Buzen・Chikuho
}}

{{Nihongo|'''Fukuoka Prefecture'''|福岡県|Fukuoka-ken|{{IPA|ja|ɸɯ̥.kɯꜜ.o.ka, -kɯ.o.kaꜜ.keɴ}}<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 a [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture]] of [[Japan]] located on the island of [[Kyūshū]].<ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric (2005). "Fukuoka-ken" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|Japan Encyclopedia|page=218}}.</ref> Fukuoka Prefecture has a population of 5,109,323 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of 4,986 [[Square kilometre|km<sup>2</sup>]] (1,925 [[sq mi]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uub.jp/rnk/p_k.html|title=都道府県 人口ランキング|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=November 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129100154/https://uub.jp/rnk/p_k.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Fukuoka Prefecture borders [[Saga Prefecture]] to the southwest, [[Kumamoto Prefecture]] to the south, and [[Ōita Prefecture]] to the southeast.

[[Fukuoka]] is the capital and largest city of Fukuoka Prefecture, and the largest city on Kyūshū, with other major cities including [[Kitakyushu]], [[Kurume]], and [[Ōmuta, Fukuoka|Ōmuta]].<ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric (2005). "Fukuoka" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|Japan Encyclopedia|page=218}}.</ref> Fukuoka Prefecture is located at the northernmost point of Kyūshū on the [[Kanmon Straits]], connecting the [[Tsushima Strait]] and the [[Seto Inland Sea]] across from [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]] on the island of [[Honshu]], and extends south towards the [[Ariake Sea]].

==History==
{{See also|List of Historic Sites of Japan (Fukuoka)|History of Fukuoka|History of Dazaifu, Fukuoka}}
Fukuoka Prefecture includes the [[Old provinces of Japan|former provinces]] of [[Chikugo Province|Chikugo]], [[Chikuzen Province|Chikuzen]], and [[Buzen Province|Buzen]].<ref>Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 780|page=780}}.</ref>

===Shrines and temples===
[[Kōra taisha]], [[Sumiyoshi-jinja]], and [[Hakozaki Shrine|Hakozaki-gū]] are the chief [[Shinto shrine]]s (''[[ichinomiya]]'') in the prefecture.<ref>[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/images/uploads/EOS070712Ab.pdf "Nationwide List of ''Ichinomiya''," p. 3] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517061440/http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/images/uploads/EOS070712Ab.pdf |date=May 17, 2013 }}; retrieved 2012-10-26.</ref>

There are several historically important Buddhist temples in the Prefecture. Monks would sail back from China after completing their studies and establish temples in the heart of Hakata (now Fukuoka) City.
Monk [[Eisai]] founded [[Shōfuku-ji (Fukuoka)|Shōfuku-ji]] which is known today as the oldest zen temple in Japan,
monk [[Kukai]] established [[Tocho-ji]], and [[Joten-ji]] was built by [[Enni]] who is also known for bringing Udon noodles first to Japan.
The oldest temple is [[Kanzeon-ji]] that was founded by the Emperor in [[Dazaifu, Fukuoka|Dazaifu]] during the 7th century to honor his mother. Kanzeon-ji together with [[Kaidan-in]], that used to be part of the former, was one of the three distinct places in Japan where Buddhist monks could ordain.

During the Tokugawa shogunate when the country was ruled by 300 local feudal lords ([[daimyo]]), an important daimyo, Arima Toyōji was relocated to this region and thus he moved his family temple to [[Kurume]] City. This zen temple is known today as [[Bairin-ji (Kurume)|Bairin-ji]] and is a main temple for zen practice in Fukuoka Prefecture and Kyushu. It is located on the West bank of Chiguko River, next to the Shinkansen station of Kurume city.{{fix|link=Wikipedia:Citations needed|text=citation needed|class=Template-Fact}}

==Geography==
[[File:Map of Fukuoka Prefecture Ja.svg|thumb|right|Map of Fukuoka Prefecture {{legend0|#D8E|Government Ordinance Designated City}} {{legend0|#EAB|City}} {{legend0|#ED9|Town}} {{legend0|#BFE|Village}}]]
Fukuoka Prefecture faces the sea on three sides, bordering [[Saga Prefecture|Saga]], [[Ōita Prefecture|Ōita]], and [[Kumamoto Prefecture|Kumamoto]] prefectures and facing [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]] across the [[Kanmon Straits]].
{{historical populations|13=1890|14=1,236,015|15=1903|16=1,571,158|17=1913|18=1,926,417|19=1920|20=2,188,249|21=1925|22=2,301,668|23=1930|24=2,527,119|25=1935|26=2,755,804|27=1940|28=3,094,132|29=1945|30=2,746,855|31=1950|32=3,530,169|33=1955|34=3,859,764|35=1960|36=4,006,679|37=1965|38=3,964,611|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.html |title=Statistics Bureau of Japan |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108132422/http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>|39=1970|40=4,027,416|41=1975|42=4,292,963|43=1980|44=4,553,461|45=1985|46=4,719,259|47=1990|48=4,811,050|49=1995|50=4,933,393|51=2000|52=5,015,699|53=2005|54=5,049,908|55=2010|56=5,071,968|57=2015|58=5,101,556}}
As of 1 April 2012, 18% of the land area of the prefecture was designated as [[List of national parks of Japan#History|natural parks]]: [[Setonaikai National Park]], [[Genkai Quasi-National Park|Genkai]], [[Kitakyūshū Quasi-National Park|Kitakyūshū]], and [[Yaba-Hita-Hikosan Quasi-National Park|Yaba-Hita-Hikosan]] quasi-national parks, and [[Chikugogawa Prefectural Natural Park|Chikugogawa]], [[Chikuhō Prefectural Natural Park|Chikuhō]], [[Dazaifu Prefectural Natural Park|Dazaifu]], [[Sefuri Raizan Prefectural Natural Park|Sefuri Raizan]], and [[Yabegawa Prefectural Natural Park|Yabegawa]] Prefectural Natural Parks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/doc/files/np_6.pdf |title=General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture |publisher=[[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]] |date=1 April 2012 |access-date=8 December 2013 |archive-date=April 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421180819/http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/doc/files/np_6.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Fukuoka includes the two largest cities on [[Kyūshū]], [[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka]] and [[Kitakyushu]], and much of Kyūshū's industry. It also includes a number of small [[islands]] near the north coast of Kyūshū.

===Cities===
{{See also|List of cities in Fukuoka Prefecture by population}}
There are twenty-nine cities in Fukuoka Prefecture:

{{div col}}
*[[Asakura, Fukuoka|Asakura]]
*[[Buzen, Fukuoka|Buzen]]
*[[Chikugo, Fukuoka|Chikugo]]
*[[Chikushino, Fukuoka|Chikushino]]
*[[Dazaifu, Fukuoka|Dazaifu]]
*[[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka]] (capital)
*[[Fukutsu, Fukuoka|Fukutsu]]
*[[Iizuka, Fukuoka|Iizuka]]
*[[Itoshima, Fukuoka|Itoshima]]
*[[Kama, Fukuoka|Kama]]
*[[Kasuga, Fukuoka|Kasuga]]
*[[Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka|Kitakyūshū]]
*[[Koga, Fukuoka|Koga]]
*[[Kurume, Fukuoka|Kurume]]
*[[Miyama, Fukuoka|Miyama]]
*[[Miyawaka, Fukuoka|Miyawaka]]
*[[Munakata, Fukuoka|Munakata]]
*[[Nakagawa, Fukuoka|Nakagawa]]
*[[Nakama, Fukuoka|Nakama]]
*[[Nōgata, Fukuoka|Nōgata]]
*[[Ogōri, Fukuoka|Ogōri]]
*[[Ōkawa, Fukuoka|Ōkawa]]
*[[Ōmuta, Fukuoka|Ōmuta]]
*[[Ōnojō, Fukuoka|Ōnojō]]
*[[Tagawa, Fukuoka|Tagawa]]
*[[Ukiha, Fukuoka|Ukiha]]
*[[Yame, Fukuoka|Yame]]
*[[Yanagawa, Fukuoka|Yanagawa]]
*[[Yukuhashi, Fukuoka|Yukuhashi]]
{{div col end}}

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Fukuoka City from Fukuoka Tower 2.jpg|Fukuoka City
File:Cityscape of Tobata,Kitakyushu.JPG|Tobata, Kitakyushu
File:View of Kurume City.JPG|Kurume
File:Omuta and unzen.jpg|Omuta
</gallery>

===Towns and villages===
These are the towns and villages in each [[Districts of Japan|district]]:

{{div col}}
*[[Asakura District, Fukuoka|Asakura District]]
**[[Chikuzen, Fukuoka|Chikuzen]]
**[[Tōhō, Fukuoka|Tōhō]]
*[[Chikujō District, Fukuoka|Chikujō District]]
**[[Chikujō, Fukuoka|Chikujō]]
**[[Kōge, Fukuoka|Kōge]]
**[[Yoshitomi, Fukuoka|Yoshitomi]]
*[[Kaho District, Fukuoka|Kaho District]]
**[[Keisen, Fukuoka|Keisen]]
*[[Kasuya District, Fukuoka|Kasuya District]]
**[[Hisayama, Fukuoka|Hisayama]]
**[[Kasuya, Fukuoka|Kasuya]]
**[[Sasaguri, Fukuoka|Sasaguri]]
**[[Shime, Fukuoka|Shime]]
**[[Shingū, Fukuoka|Shingū]]
**[[Sue, Fukuoka|Sue]]
**[[Umi, Fukuoka|Umi]]
*[[Kurate District, Fukuoka|Kurate District]]
**[[Kotake, Fukuoka|Kotake]]
**[[Kurate, Fukuoka|Kurate]]
*[[Mii District, Fukuoka|Mii District]]
**[[Tachiarai, Fukuoka|Tachiarai]]
*[[Miyako District, Fukuoka|Miyako District]]
**[[Kanda, Fukuoka|Kanda]]
**[[Miyako, Fukuoka|Miyako]]
*[[Mizuma District, Fukuoka|Mizuma District]]
**[[Ōki, Fukuoka|Ōki]]
*[[Onga District, Fukuoka|Onga District]]
**[[Ashiya, Fukuoka|Ashiya]]
**[[Mizumaki, Fukuoka|Mizumaki]]
**[[Okagaki, Fukuoka|Okagaki]]
**[[Onga, Fukuoka|Onga]]
*[[Tagawa District, Fukuoka|Tagawa District]]
**[[Aka, Fukuoka|Aka]]
**[[Fukuchi, Fukuoka|Fukuchi]]
**[[Itoda, Fukuoka|Itoda]]
**[[Kawara, Fukuoka|Kawara]]
**[[Kawasaki, Fukuoka|Kawasaki]]
**[[Ōtō, Fukuoka|Ōtō]]
**[[Soeda, Fukuoka|Soeda]]
*[[Yame District, Fukuoka|Yame District]]
**[[Hirokawa, Fukuoka|Hirokawa]]
{{div col end}}

===Mergers===
{{main article|List of mergers in Fukuoka Prefecture}}

==Economy==
Fukuoka prefecture's main cities form one of Japan's main industrial centers, accounting for nearly 40% of the economy of Kyūshū.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fukuoka-fg.com/vision/03.html|title=九州のポテンシャル|publisher=福岡銀行|access-date=2023-05-16|archive-date=May 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516021814/https://www.fukuoka-fg.com/vision/03.html|url-status=live}}</ref> GDP exceeds 154 billion US dollars, comparable to that of a medium-sized country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/region/data/fukuoka.html|title=Fukuoka|publisher=JETRO|access-date=2023-05-16|archive-date=March 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322161707/https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/region/data/fukuoka.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Major industries include automobiles, semiconductors, and steel. Fukuoka prefecture is where tire manufacturer [[Bridgestone Corporation|Bridgestone]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bridgestone.com/corporate/news/2009080401.html|title=Bridgestone Holds the Opening Ceremony for its Kitakyushu Plant|publisher=Bridgestone|date=August 4, 2009|access-date=September 17, 2009|archive-date=October 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027093852/http://bridgestone.com/corporate/news/2009080401.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and consumer electronics chain [[Best Denki]] were founded.

Well-known company headquartered in Fukuoka are as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fukuoka-times.jp/matome-company/|title=意外と知らない福岡に本社を置く有名企業13社|date=2019-02-07|access-date=2023-05-23|archive-date=May 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523054308/https://fukuoka-times.jp/matome-company/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* TOTO Ltd. (founded in 1917)
* [[Yasukawa Electric Corporation]] (founded in 1915)
* PIETRO Co., Ltd. (founded in 1980)
* ZENRIN CO., Ltd. (founded in 1949)
* SANIX INCORPORATED (founded in 1975)
* HASEGAWA Co.Ltd. (founded in 1929)
* Plenus Co., Ltd. (founded in 1976)
* LEVEL-5 Inc. (founded in 1998)
* Star Flyer Inc. (founded in 2002)
* DAIICHI KOUTSU SANGYO Co., Ltd. (founded in 1960)
* Shabondama Soap Co., Ltd. (founded in 1910)
* MoonStar Company. (founded in 1873)
* Shinoken Group. Co., Ltd. (founded in 1990)

==Universities==
One of Japan's top 5 universities, [[Kyushu University]], is located in Fukuoka.
{|
| '''Institution''' || '''Location'''
|-
| [[Fukuoka University]] || [[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka]]
|-
| [[Kurume University]] || [[Kurume, Fukuoka|Kurume]]
|-
| [[Kyushu Institute of Technology]]|| [[Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka|Kitakyūshū]] and [[Iizuka, Fukuoka|Iizuka]]
|-
| [[Kyushu University]] || Fukuoka and [[Kasuga, Fukuoka|Kasuga]]
|-
| [[Seinan Gakuin University]] || Fukuoka
|-
| [[Kyushu Institute of Information Sciences]] || [[Dazaifu, Fukuoka|Dazaifu]]
|-
| [[Kyushu Sangyo University]] || Fukuoka
|-
| [[Fukuoka Women's University]] || Fukuoka
|-
| [[Fukuoka University of Education]] || [[Munakata, Fukuoka|Munakata]]
|-
|}

==Demographics==
[[File:Fukuoka prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg|thumb|Fukuoka prefecture population pyramid]]
According to October 2018 estimates, the population in Fukuoka Prefecture reached 5,111,494 inhabitants, making the prefecture the 9th most populated of Japan's 47 prefectures. It is one of the few prefectures with a steadily increasing population.<ref name="Fukuoka expected to have a steady birthrate alas the decreasing rate in Japan">{{cite web |last1=Growing Cities |first1=In Japan |title=List of cities that are exceeding the birth rate |url=https://www.villagehouse.jp/blog/en/local-area-guides-en/growing-cities-in-japan/ |website=www.villagehouse.jp |date=13 November 2019 |access-date=11 May 2022 |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526234342/https://www.villagehouse.jp/blog/en/local-area-guides-en/growing-cities-in-japan/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Fukuoka City Museum 2018.jpg|thumb|Fukuoka City Museum]]
[[File:Fukuoka Asian Art Museum 20170623.jpg|alt=|thumb|Fukuoka Asian Art Museum]]
[[File:Bulwark aginst Mongola Invasion vid.webm|thumb|Bulwarks against Mongol Invasion video]]
*Fukuoka Art Museum – In Ohori Park; contains a wide selection of contemporary and other art from around the world
*Fukuoka Asian Art Museum – contains art from Asia
*Fukuoka City Museum – displays a broad range of items from the region's history, including a spectacular gold seal
*{{ill|Genko Historical Museum|ja|元寇史料館}} (元寇史料館, Museum of the Mongol Invasion) in {{ill|Higashi Koen|ja|東公園 (福岡市)}} (East Park) displays Japanese and [[Mongolia]]n 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
*[[Fukuoka Castle]] – a castle in [[Chūō-ku, Fukuoka]]
*[[Hakata Gion Yamakasa]] – Japanese festival celebrated 1–15 July
*[[Ōhori Park]] – a registered [[Place of Scenic Beauty]]
*[[Kyushu National Museum]] – The collections cover the history of Kyūshū from prehistory to the Meiji era with particular emphasis on the rich history of cultural exchange between Kyūshū and neighboring China and Korea
*HKT48 Theater – where the idol group [[HKT48]] performs every day
*[[LinQ]] – the Kyushu idol group meaning "Love in Kyushu", local theater where the LinQ performs weekly on Saturday and Sunday in Tenjin Best Hall
*[[Bairin-ji (Fukuoka)|Bairin-ji]] – [[Rinzai]] temple and garden in [[Kurume, Fukuoka|Kurume]]
*[[Zendō-ji (Kurume)|Zendō-ji]] – [[Jōdo-shū]] temple in [[Kurume, Fukuoka|Kurume]]

==Major events and festivals==
*Hakata Dontaku Harbour Festival, Tenjin, Fukuoka on May 3 and 4
*[[Hakata Gion Yamakasa]], Kushida Shrine, Fukuoka in July
*Kokura Gion Yamagasa, Kitakyushu in July 
*Tobata Gion Yamagasa, Kitakyushu in July 
*Kurosaki Gion Yamagasa, Kitakyushu in July
*Kitahara Hakushu Festival, Yanagawa on November 1 to 3{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}}

==Sports==
[[File:Level5 Stadium 03.JPG|thumb|Level5 Stadium, home of the Avispa Fukuoka football team]]
[[File:Fukuoka Dome 2008-1.jpg|thumb|Fukuoka Yahuoku Dome, home of the Softbank Hawks]]
The sports teams listed below are based in Fukuoka.

;Football (soccer)
*[[Avispa Fukuoka]] ([[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka City]])
*[[Giravanz Kitakyushu]] ([[Kitakyūshū|Kitakyūshū City]])
*[[Fukuoka J. Anclas]]

;Baseball
*[[Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks]] ([[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka City]])

;Basketball
*[[Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka]] ([[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka City]])

;Rugby
*[[Coca-Cola Red Sparks]] ([[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka City]])
*[[Fukuoka Sanix Blues]] ([[Munakata, Fukuoka|Munakata]])
*[[Kyuden Voltex]]
*[[Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament]]

[[File:Mikuni World stadium2.JPG|thumb|Mikuni World Stadium, home of Giravanz Kitakyushu]]

The prefecture hosts the [[Fukuoka International Cross Country]] competition.  The prefecture also hosted the [[Fukuoka Marathon]], which was an elite marathon in which marathon world records were established twice during its 75-year existence.<ref>Nakamura, Ken. [http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9476.html Marathon - A history of the Fukuoka International Marathon Championships by K. Ken Nakamura - Part 1 1947-1966] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208025948/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9476.html |date=December 8, 2010 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 2010-02-28.</ref> Its final race took place in 2021.<ref name=johnson>{{cite web| last=Johnson| first=Len| title=Farewell to Fukuoka| url=https://www.runnerstribe.com/latest-news/farewell-to-fukuoka-by-len-johnson/| date=2021-12-06| access-date=December 8, 2021| archive-date=December 8, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208031224/https://www.runnerstribe.com/latest-news/farewell-to-fukuoka-by-len-johnson/| url-status=live}}</ref>

==Crime and safety==
Fukuoka Prefecture has the most [[Yakuza#Designated bōryokudan|designated yakuza]] groups among all of the prefectures, at five: the [[Kudo-kai]], the [[Taishu-kai]], the [[Fukuhaku-kai]], the [[Dojin-kai]] and the [[:ja:浪川会|Namikawa-kai]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.police.pref.fukuoka.jp/boutai/sotai/007.html |title="福岡県内の指定暴力団" |access-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102185922/https://www.police.pref.fukuoka.jp/boutai/sotai/007.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 2004 and 2009, and in early 2011,<ref name="nnp_248434">[http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/248434 "Gunfire, The worst in the nation, None has been solved"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120905231739/http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/248434 |date=2012-09-05 }}, 23 June 2011, ''[[Nishinippon Shimbun]]'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref> Fukuoka Prefecture led the nation in gun-related incidents.<ref>[http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2010/05/04/fukuoka-yakuza-groups-tackle-police-pressure-in-all-out-war/ "Fukuoka yakuza groups tackle police pressure in all-out war"], 4 May 2010, ''The Tokyo Reporter'', from ''[[Kodansha|Friday]]'' May 14, p.22-23 {{in lang|ja}}</ref> These incidents were mostly related to the local yakuza syndicates, specifically the [[Kudo-kai]], the [[Dojin-kai]], and the [[Kyushu Seido-kai]].<ref name="nnp_248434"/>

Fukuoka Prefecture had the highest frequency of [[youth crime]] among the prefectures of Japan from 2003 to 2007.<ref>[http://kyushu.yomiuri.co.jp/magazine/rupo/0709/ru_709_070913.htm 非行防げ、捜査員奮闘...少年犯罪全国ワースト1の福岡] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212201427/http://kyushu.yomiuri.co.jp/magazine/rupo/0709/ru_709_070913.htm |date=2009-02-12 }}, ''[[Yomiuri Shimbun]]'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref>

According to statistics from the national police, the crime rate in Fukuoka was the eighth-highest in 2017, lower than in [[Osaka Prefecture|Osaka]], [[Tokyo]], [[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyogo]], [[Aichi Prefecture|Aichi]], [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]], [[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]] and [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://diamond.jp/articles/-/171318|title=「犯罪の県民性」大阪が全国ワースト、殺人1位、すり2位|website=Diamond Online|date=2 June 2018|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=November 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129100130/https://diamond.jp/articles/-/171318|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Tourism==
{{see also|Kyushu National Museum|List of Historic Sites of Japan (Fukuoka)|List of Places of Scenic Beauty of Japan (Fukuoka)}}
[[File:Beach of Seaside Momochi Seaside Park 3.jpg|thumb|[[Fukuoka Tower]] as seen from Seaside Momochi]]
[[File:Riverwalk Kitakyushu 20130721.jpg|thumb|Riverwalk Kitakyushu]]
[[File:Fukuoka Yanagawa03bs3200.jpg|thumb|A sightseeing boat in Yanagawa Canal]]
[[File:Gate to Dazaifu Tenmagu shrine.JPG|alt=|thumb|[[Dazaifu Tenmangū]]]]

The most popular place for tourism is [[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka City]], especially during the Dontaku festival, which attracts millions of visitors from across Japan during [[Golden Week (Japan)|Golden Week]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1972/|title=Hakata Dontaku Festival|website=Japan National Tourism Organization|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=November 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129055845/https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1972/|url-status=live}}</ref> Fukuoka is the main shopping, dining, transportation and entertainment hub in Kyushu.

Dazaifu is popular for its many temples and historical sites, as well as the Kyushu National Museum.

Yanagawa is sometimes called "the Venice of Japan" for its boat tours on the abundant, calm rivers that wind through the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chikugo7koku.net/area/|title=水の国 柳川|website=筑後七国よかとこ巡り旅|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=November 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129060019/https://chikugo7koku.net/area/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kitakyushu features one of the famous [[New Three Major Night Views of Japan|night views of Japan]] from atop [[Mount Sarakura|Mt. Sarakura]], accessible via [[Sarakurayama Cable Car|cablecar]]. The [[Mojikō Station|Mojiko]] area features waterfront dining, a market, and several preserved historical buildings. The Kanmon Kaikyo Tunnel which connects Kyushu ([[Moji-ku, Kitakyūshū|Moji ward]], Kitakyushu) and Honshu ([[Shimonoseki]]) is free to walk through. The city center in [[Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyūshū|Kokurakita ward]] contains the [[Riverwalk Kitakyūshū|Riverwalk]] and Itsutsuya shopping complexes, [[Kokura Castle|Kokura castle]], and the Uomachi Gintengai shopping arcade, the oldest shopping arcade in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gururich-kitaq.com/en/search/category/detail.php?id=55|title=Uomachi-gintengai Street|website=Kitakyushu City Travel Guide|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=November 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129100153/https://www.gururich-kitaq.com/en/search/category/detail.php?id=55|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the "19 best places to visit in 2019" published by the U.S. CNN, Fukuoka Prefecture was chosen as the only destination in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/places-to-visit-2019/index.html|title=CNN Travel's 19 best places to visit in 2019|website=CNN travel|date=2 January 2019|access-date=2023-05-16|archive-date=May 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516015501/https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/places-to-visit-2019/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Transportation==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="155px">
File:Sumiyoshi-dori Street in front of Hakata Station 2.jpg|[[Hakata Station]]
File:Nishi-Nippon Railroad - Series 3000 - 01.JPG|[[Nishitetsu Tenjin Ōmuta Line]]
File:Hakata Port International Terminal 1.jpg|Hakata Ferry Terminal
</gallery>

===Railway services===
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2022}}

*[[Amagi Railway]]
**[[Amagi Railway Amagi Line]]
*[[Fukuoka City Subway]]
**[[Kuko Line (Fukuoka)|Kūkō Line]], [[Hakozaki Line]], [[Nanakuma Line]]
*[[Heisei Chikuhō Railway]]
**[[Ita Line]], [[Itota Line]], [[Tagawa Line]]
**[[Coto Coto Train]]
*[[JR Kyushu]]
**[[Kyūshū Shinkansen]], [[Kagoshima Main Line]], [[Chikuhō Main Line]], [[Nippō Main Line]], [[Kyudai Main Line]]
**[[Chikuhi Line]], [[Gotōji Line]], [[Kashii Line]], [[Hitahikosan Line]], [[Sasaguri Line]]
*[[Kitakyushu Monorail]]
*[[Nishi-Nippon Railroad]]
**[[Tenjin Ōmuta Line]], [[Dazaifu Line]], [[Nishitetsu Amagi Line]], [[Kaizuka Line]]
*[[West Japan Railway Company]](=JR Nishinihon)
**[[Sanyō Shinkansen]]
**[[Hakata Minami Line]]

===Airports===
*[[Fukuoka Airport]]
*[[New Kitakyushu airport]]

==International relations==
*{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]]
*{{flagicon|India}} [[Delhi]], [[India]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Hawaii]], [[United States]]<ref name="Fukuoka and Hawaii sign friendship agreement">{{cite web |last1=Hawaii and |first1=Fukuoka friendship agreement |title=Hawaii-Fukuoka sister state relationship |url=http://www.hawaiifukuokakenjinkai.org/hawaii-fukuoka-sister-state-relationship/ |website=hawaiifukuokakenjinkai/ |publisher=Fukuoka Keniinkai |access-date=11 May 2022 |archive-date=May 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517021119/http://www.hawaiifukuokakenjinkai.org/hawaii-fukuoka-sister-state-relationship/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Vietnam}} [[Hanoi]], [[Vietnam]]
*{{flagicon|PRC}} [[Jiangsu Province]], [[People's Republic of China]]

== Citations ==
{{Reflist}}

== General and cited references ==
* Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC ''Japan Encyclopedia'']. Cambridge: [[Harvard University Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-674-01753-5}}. {{Oclc|58053128}}.

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* {{Official website|http://www.pref.fukuoka.lg.jp/somu/multilingual/english/top.html}}
* {{Official website|http://www.fukuoka-tourism.net/e/index.html|Official Fukuoka Tourism Association website}}
* {{Official website|http://www.kyushu.com/fukuoka/|Fukuoka information homepage}}
* [https://www.digital.archives.go.jp/img.L/1635619 Fukuoka map (1891)] – [[National Archives of Japan]]

{{Fukuoka}}
{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Fukuoka Prefecture| ]]
[[Category:Kyushu region]]
[[Category:Prefectures of Japan]]