Ｈａｋａｔａ Ｃｕｌｔｕｒｅ vol.20

"Kirei-na" Keyaki-dori

Which is Fukuoka's most beautiful street? If local residents were asked that question, more than half would likely answer Keyaki-dori in Akasaka. Located near the Fukuoka Now editorial offices, the street is known to local residents as Akasaka Keyaki-dori, but it is technically part of National Highway 202. It runs for about 800 meters from the Gokoku Shinto shrine to the Kego-yotsukado intersection. In addition, part of the street is known as the “Kokutai road” because it was built when Fukuoka hosted the National Sports Festival in 1948.

As the word keyaki in the name suggests, there are roughly 100 zelkova trees planted along the road, and their new leaves create the effect of a vivid green tunnel. The street is lined with many inviting shops that appeal to the passerby, including coffee shops, restaurants, art galleries, and unique bookstores. The rich color of the flowers and greenery in Maizuru Park serves as the backdrop.

This tree-lined street was selected in 1991 as one of the best 100 amenities of Fukuoka City. It was also selected as one of the 100 best streets in Japan in a 1994 competition sponsored by the Yomiuri Shinbun for scenic city roads. In 1997, the efforts to create attractive views and improve the local environment were recognized when the thoroughfare received the 11th Fukuoka City Municipal Scenery award. Indeed, the combined efforts of the government and the private sector have been instrumental in maintaining and preserving the street’s environment.

An association created by local businesses and tenants has assumed responsibility for the daily care and maintenance of the street, including cleaning and watering the greenery. This cooperation between the national government, which has the overall authority for maintenance, and local volunteers ensures that the street and its trees remain beautiful.

A new event, called Bookoka, began in 2006 on this street. Fukuoka book lovers and people involved in the business of books, including new and used bookstores, publishing companies, and editors, gather to listen to lectures and browse used book stalls.

Wherever there are green spaces and water, people get the urge to do something cultural. Let's continue to work together to keep Keyaki-dori in its current beautiful state.


 A public relations manager
 Kimiyo Sasaki

Hakata Culture also appears in

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都心部に近い美しい街並み・赤坂けやき通り

　福岡で美しい通りはどこですか？と尋ねたら、多分、半数以上の人が「赤坂けやき通り」と答えるのではないでしょうか。Fukuoka Nowの編集部も近いこの赤坂けやき通りは通称で、本当は国道202号線の一部、護国神社から警固四つ角交差点までの約800メートルを総称して呼ばれています。また昭和23年（1948）に福岡で行われた国体開催にちなんでできた道路でもあるため、国体道路（一部）とも呼ばれています。もちろん、植えられている木は「けやき」で、約100本が新緑の色も鮮やかに緑のトンネルをつくっています。背景に緑と花が豊かな舞鶴公園をかかえていることから、この通りには喫茶店やレストラン、アートギャラリーや雑貨屋さん、ユニークな本屋さんなど、立ち寄りたい店舗がずらりと揃っています。私がよく行くアイリッシュパブもこの近くです。

　この並木道は、平成3年（1991）福岡市の「アメニティ百選」に、平成6年（1994）は「新・日本の街路樹百景（読売新聞社主催）」に選ばれました。また平成9年（1997）には、けやき通りの景観整備及び環境向上運動が評価されて、第11回福岡市都市景観賞を受賞しています。

　このけやき通りは官民一体となって、環境維持や保全が行われていて、地元の企業やテナントでつくる「けやき通り発展期成会」が、清掃や水やりなどの日常的な世話や手入れを担当しています。管理者である国と地元ボランティアの皆さんの協力によって、美しい並木道が維持されているのです。また2006年からこの通りを中心に「ブックオカ（BOOKOKA）」という新しいイベントも始まりました。福岡の書店や出版社、古書店や編集者など本に関わる人たちや本好きが集まってさまざまな講演会や古書市などを行っています。

　緑や水があると、人は何か、文化的なことをしたくなるようです。赤坂けやき通り、この貴重な福岡の遺産をみんなで守っていきたいものです。


　　福岡市広報課長　佐々木　喜美代