Fukuoka Tower New Year Event

January 01 (Sun) | Community
Herald in the new year from inside Fukuoka’s tallest landmark! The Tower will open early on New Year’s Day so you can watch hatsuhinode (the first sunrise of the year) over Dazaifu, from the look-outs on 116-meter-high 3F and 123-meter-high 5F. The event includes rice cake making, free rice cakes, and other New Year’s activities.
1/1 (Sun.) | 5:30 ~ 21:00 | Adult: ¥800 / ES & MS: ¥500 / Over 4YO: ¥200 | 2-3-26 Momochihama, Sawara-ku | Fukuoka Tower | Tel: 092-823-0234

Tamaseseri

January 03 (Tue) | Community
An important festive ritual of the new year holidays! Each year, Hakozakigu Shrine’s Tamaseseri festival sees two teams of loincloth-clad participants scrambling for possession of an 8kg wooden ball. Victory for the Beach Team is said to ensure plentiful fish for the year, while a Land Team victory brings a bountiful harvest.
1/3 (Tue.) | 13:00 ~ | Free | 1-22-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku | Hakozakigu | Tel: 092-641-7431

Leonardo Da Vinci

January 05 (Thu)-March 04 (Sun) | Arts & Culture
Leonardo da Vinci (1452 ~ 1519) is known as the greatest master of the Renaissance art movement. This exhibition includes about 75 works- some of which will be shown for the first time in Japan- along with study pieces, and works of artists influenced by Da Vinci.
1/5 (Thu.) ~ 3/4 (Sun.) | 9:30 ~ 17:30 | Adult: ¥1,300 / Univ. & HS: ¥1,000 / MS & ES: ¥600 | 1-6 Ohorikoen, Chuo-ku | Fukuoka City Art Museum | Tel: 092-714-6051

Toka Ebisu Festival

January 08 (Sun) | Festivals
This large festival is dedicated to Ebisu, the god of prosperous business. Check out the 300 street stalls or try your luck at the raffle – all tickets are guaranteed to win at least a lucky charm! The highlight of the festival is the kachi-mairi (“walking visit”) by geisha in full kimono.
1/8 (Sun.) ~ 11 (Wed.) | Time varies by day. | Free admission | 7-1 Higashikoen, Hakata-ku | Ebisu Shrine | Tel: 092-651-1563

Yasmin Ahmad Feature

January 18 (Wed)-27 (Fri) | Film
A program featuring six films directed by renowned Malaysian film director Yasmin Ahmad. Of partial Japanese descent, her heart-warming films present peoples of various backgrounds, religions and races learning to understand their differences and bridge cultural divides.
1/18 (Wed.) ~ 27 (Fri.) | Time and title varies by date | Adult: ¥600 / Univ. & HS: ¥500 / MS & ES: ¥400 | 3-7-1 Momochihama, Sawara-ku | Fukuoka City Public Library Movie Hall Cine-la | Tel: 092-852-0600

Fukuoka Motor Show 2012

January 27 (Fri)-30 (Mon) | Festivals
The biannual Fukuoka Motor Show is the one and only show of its kind in Kyushu and takes place again this January for third time. Now a well established event 120 thousand visitors are expected to visit over four days. The year’s theme is “Dreams seen with your car, living tomorrow” with no less than 240 cars on display. Exhibits of the latest models of imported, domestic, and concept car as well as motorcycles will fill the hall. Other events include forums concerning the future of car industry as well as attractions for families and children such as motorcycle lessons and “B Class Gourmet” food stalls. Enjoy the latest awesome designs and engineering with your family!
1/27 (Fri.) ~ 30 (Mon.) | 9:30 ~ 18:00 (last day ~ 17:00) | Adult Adv.: ¥1,100 / Adult Door: ¥1,300 / HS Adv.: ¥800 / HS Door: ¥600 | Fukuoka Motor Show 2012 | Tel: 092-711-5583

Japan Cultural Program

January 28 (Sat) | Community
This month’s talk is titled “With the History of Hakata: Inherited Hakata-ori” by Harada Masayuki of Hakata-ori Harada Orimono Corporation, to be followed by talks including young persons with cross-cultural experiences, and the always popular intercultural mixer.
1/28 (Sat.) | 15:00 ~ 17:00 | Lecture: Free / Req. ¥1,000 for intercultural mixer (adult). | 3F ACROS Fukuoka, 1-1-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku | Kokusai Hiroba | Tel: 092-725-9201