P2-3 Hakata Gion Yamakasa July 1 to 15 *Hakata Gion Yamakasa 2021 Kakiyama Float Race Postponed until Next Year. This year, in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19, teams will only erect Kazariyama Decorated Floats (except for the Nakasu-nagare and Chiyo-nagare teams). The Hakata Gion Yamakasa boast a tradition going back some 770 years.Kamakura Period, the founder of Jotenji Temple, Shoichikokushi, prayed for purifying the city to drive away a pestilence infecting Hakata while sprinkling perfumed holy water by riding on a segakidana carried by the townsfolk, which is said to be the origin of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa. It was registered as a national important intangible folk cultural property and as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Selected as one of the Best Hundred Soundscapes of Japan by the Ministry of the Environment. Kazariyama From the opening of the festival on July 1 through dawn on 15, floats will be erected around Fukuoka City, mainly in the Hakata and Tenjin neighborhoods, delighting residents and tourists. With a height of 10 and several meters, each has been created by Hakata doll makers using their expertise. The theme changes each year as do the dolls and the like of the floats. Hakata Gion Yamakasa Promotion Association 291-2951 Kakiyama Running while carrying the yamakasa on shoulders with poles is called “kaku”, and the yamakasa itself is called the“Kakiyama.” A Partial Introduction to the Kakiyama Float Race. *Hakata Gion Yamakasa 2021 Kakiyama Float Race Postponed until Next Year. Shudanyamamise July 13 is the only day that teams will carry the Kakiyama Floats across the Naka River and into the Fukuoka area. After passing through Gofukumachi Intersection, the floats will gather in front of Fukuoka City Hall. Oiyama In the morning (4:59 AM) on July 15, the first float will be presented entering Kushida Shrine, a spectacular and impactful scene. The float will then be sped off into the Hakata area as participants sing the Hakata Iwaiuta Song. Six minutes later, the second float will depart. The third and later floats will depart in five-minute intervals and rush to the end of the roughly 5km-long course. P4-5 Mountain Mt.Sefuri Mt. Sefuri, towering to a height of 1,055m at the southern end of Sawara Ward, has many natural attractions, including a forest of dawn redwood trees, and in July and August, visitors can enjoy okitsune-no-kamisori (“ large fox razor”) flowers. Hiking is also available, with a variety of courses to choose from. Mt. Sefuri Ridge Walking Course for Families This course follows along the mountain ridge, which has few ups and downs. It is recommended for beginners and families because it' s easy to stay on the trial and there is not a very dangerous area. A waypoint along the trail called Tojin-no-Mai offers an unbroken view from Fukuoka City all the way to the Genkai Sea. Onigahana-iwa Course This course is recommended for beginners and intermediates. The view from Onigahana-iwa, a boulder that looks like a demon's nose, is picturesque, and visitors can enjoy the sight of the Sawara urban area to the north.The towering forests lining the trail and the ferns covering the ground give the impression of visiting another world. Mt. Sefuri Rescue Points Rescue Points have been established along the mountain trail. (Scanning the codes provided at each Rescue Point will display a map showing your current location.) The Rescue Points are highly reflective when hit by light at night. In the event of an emergency, call 119 and convey the number displayed at the Rescue Point to the operator to request a speedy rescue. Planning Section, Sawara Ward Office 833-4306 Suggestions for mountain hikes Select a mountain that matches your level of strength, physical condition, hiking experience, etc., and plan your hike so that you will have plenty of time to descend while it is still light out. Avoid light clothing. Wear overgarments that are easy to put on and take off, and wear clothing that covers your legs. Be sure to break in your hiking footwear in advance. In preparation for the unexpected, also be sure to bring raingear, a packed meal, emergency supplies, etc. Mt. Tachibana & Mt. Mikazuki Mt. Tachibana This 367m-tall mountain stands on the border between Higashi Ward and the towns Shingu and Hisayama in Kasuya District. Near the summit, where Tachibana Castle used to stand, stone walls from that time period can still be seen dotting the area, and the spot offers a view of the Umi-no-Nakamichi area, Hakata Bay and downtown Fukuoka City. Mt. Mikazuki This 272m-tall mountain stands on the border between Higashi Ward and Hisayama Town in Kasuya District. The hiking course follows a gentle route and is well-known for being easy. The summit offers a nearly 360-degree view of the surroundings, and the views at dawn and dusk are particularly recommended. Planning Promotion Section, Higashi Ward Office 645-1037 Mt. Atago This 68m-tall mountain, located in Nishi Ward, is covered in laurel forests, including shii beech trees(Castanopsis) and konara oaks (Quercus serrata). There are Suda-jii trees as the goshinboku (sacred tree). The Main Hall of Atago Shrine is located at the summit, and visitors can see all the way to Fukuoka Tower and Fukuoka PayPay Dome. Atago Shrine This shrine has a long history and is considered one of the three main Atago Shrines in Japan. The good-luck charms available here ‒ hamaya and kumade (ceremonial arrows and rakes that symbolize purging and cleansing evil) ‒ are particularly well-known. The shrine precincts are considered a great place to view cherry blossoms and autumnal foliage, and are also thought to harbor powerful spiritual energy. Atago Shrine 881-0103 P6-7 Park The city features roughly 1,600 municipal parks of all sizes, from small parks enjoyed mainly by nearby residents through to historical parks, athletic parks, multi-purpose parks, and even a large-scale national park. The following introduces some of the city's more unique municipal parks, which are vital in helping residents relax ‒ by taking leisurely walks, exercising, or sometimes just taking it easy on a bench. *Some facilities and playground equipment require a reservation and payment. In addition, usage may be restricted or suspended due to Covid-19 control measures. Please check in advance using the points of contact provided. *Please be sure to comply with rules and standards of etiquette, such as taking your garbage home with you, so that everyone can comfortably use the facilities. Kaizuka Park A go-cart course, featuring traffic lights, crosswalks, road signs and more, enables children to have fun while learning traffic rules. (Only children from the age of 4 through elementary school may ride the go-carts. Cost: 50 yen per ride.) The park also displays a steam engine and sleeping car formerly used on the express Blue Train line. Seinanmori no kohan Park This park offers a rich natural environment surrounded by wooded areas and ponds. Visitors can also enjoy birdwatching from the promenades around the ponds. The park contains a rubber baseball field, a multi-purpose sports field and other athletic facilities, as well as an adjoining café-restaurant. (10:00 to 21:00 407-3304 *Closed Wednesdays) 6 Nanakuma, Jonan Ward (A portion of the park lacks an official address) 863-7929 Nishiaburayama Chuo Park This park offers a grass field, a sports ground, roller slides and other playground equipment. The observation deck provides a clear view of the urban area and Fukuoka Tower. Nishiaburayama, Sawara-ku Maintenance & Management Section, Sawara Ward Office 833-4337 Odo Park This park is located along the coastline next to a yacht harbor. It offers a grass field with a view of Nokonoshima Island, a plaza featuring large playground equipment, a multi-purpose sports field, and more. 9:00 to 19:00 (9:00 to 17:00 from October to March) 2-6-1 Odo, Nishi-ku 883-3510 P8-9 FLOWER The ideal time for viewing may change depending on the weather. Uminonakamichi Seaside Park Hydrangea: Early to late June Green Kochia: Early August to early September 9:30 to 17:30 (Entry untill 16:30) Age 15 or older 450 yen, free for junior high school students or younger, age 65 or older 210 yen 18-25 Saitozaki, Higashii-ku 603-1111 Maizuru Park Iris: Now in session to early June Lotus: Late June to late July 1-4 Jonai, Chuo-ku 781-2153 Hanahata Horticultural Park Hydrangea: Now in session to late June Agapanthus: Mid-June to mid-July 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: Mondays (Will be the following weekday in case of a holiday) 7-571-1 Kashiwara, Minami-ku 565-5114 Nokonoshima Island Park Marigold: Now in session to late July Sunflower: Mid-July to mid-August 9:00 to 17:30 (9:00 to 18:30 on Sundays and holidays) High school students or older 1,200 yen, elementary/junior high school students 600 yen, age 3 or older 400 yen Nokonoshima, Nishi-ku 881-2494 P10-11 FRUIT PICKING Fruit-picking may not be possible due to weather, the coronavirus, and so on. Reservations may also be required, so please contact each farm in advance for details. Country Farm Kiichigoya 【Blueberries】Mid-July to late August 734 Okasagi, Sawara-ku 090-2858-3031 Ukiha City 【Pears】Early August to late October 【Grapes】Late August to mid-September All around Ukiha City Kura Kanko Kaikan, a visitors center 0943-76-3980 Tanushimaru-machi, Kurume City 【Grapes】Early July to late September 【Figs】Early August to mid-November All around Tanushimaru-machi, Kurume City Kurume Bureau of Tourism and International Exchage Tanushimaru Office 0943-72-4956 Ringo-to-Budo-no-Ki 【Grapes】Ealry August to late September 【Figs】Mid-August to early October 758 Yamada, Asakura City 0946-52-0913 P12-13 WATERFALL Nogouchi River Valley The Nogouchi River Valley, located in the upper reaches of the Hacchou River flowing into Magaribuchi Dam (Sawara-ku), is the only gorge found within the Fukuoka City limits. With massive and unusually-shaped rocks towering over the walking trails, and small and large waterfalls dotted around the rocks, the gorge offers landscapes that are full of variety. Brown dippers and kingfishers sometimes can be seen here. Surrounded by cool water and clear air, visitors can spend time forgetting about the summer heat. There is an approximately twenty-minute walking path that starts at the entrance. For walks along the ravine, athletic shoes are recom- mended. Iiba, Sawara-ku Planning Section, Sawara Ward Office 833-4307 Bozu-ga Taki Falls･Karan-no Taki Falls By following the forest road from national road No.263 running through the base of the Sefuri mountain range, v isitors will find Bozu-ga Taki Falls and Karan-no Taki Falls. The Sefuri mountain range has a strong connection with Buddhism, and Bozu-ga-Taki Falls is said to have been training place for practitioners of Shugen-do. There is an area in front of the waterfall basin where visitors can view the waterfall up close. There are two theories about the origin of the name of Karan (literally“Fluttering Flowers”) no Taki Falls. One is that it comes from the fact that the water spray looks like flower petals scattering about; another is that it is related to an ancient story about a mountain ascetic named Karan. Ishigama, Sawara-ku Planning Section, Sawara Ward Office 833-4307 Aburayama Shimin No Mori At Forest City Aburayama visitors can cool off by the water and come into contact with a diverse range of plants and other living creatures. There are two waterfalls-Shiranami-no Taki Falls, where the falling water splashes over the rocks like white waves, and Yamagasa-no Taki Falls, where the water falls down from over the top of a huge boulder named Yamagasa-iwa. 855-4 Hibaru, Minami-ku 871-6969 P14-15 Hop Skip to Fun-Spot Artistic manhole cover tour You can find a variety of manhole cover designs across the city. Try to look for artistic manhole covers when you go out. Sewerage Management & Planning Section 711-4613 Fukuoka City Subway Kuko Line Fukuoka-kuko station to Best Denki Stadium Along the road from the Fukuoka Airport subway station to Best Denki Stadium, there are tenspecially-designed manhole covers featuring Chikamaru, the Fukuoka City Subway mascot, Avi-kun, the Avispa Fukuoka soccer team mascot, photographs of subway cars, and more. Visitors to Higashi Hirao Park, where the soccer stadium is located, can enjoy the scenery as it changes through the seasons, including fresh greenery in spring and crimson foliage in autumn. Also, Fukuoka Airport can be seen extending out from below the park' s observation deck, and the airplanes taking off and landing are clearly visible (photo below). Fukuoka City Subway Nanakuma Line Yakuin-odori station (Animal and Botanical Garden Exit) to Fukuoka Zoo & Botanical Garden On the streets between Yakuin-Odori subway station and Fukuoka Zoo & Botanical Garden, via Jyosui-Dori Street, you can find eleven artistic manhole covers with designs depicting plants and animals, including a tiger, a rabbit, a queen of the night cactus and a Hakata lily. Alongside Jyosui-Dori Street, which abounds in greenery, you can find sophisticated restaurants, and European and Japanese style confectionaries. Shofuen This park opened in 2007 and was built on the site of the residence of Zenpachi Tanakamaru, founder of the Fukuoka Tamaya Department Store. It is a popular spot for tea ceremonies and garden viewing, and visitors can experience the beauty of all four seasons (admission fee required). P16-17 Fukuoka City Subway Kuko Line Tojin-machi station to Fukuoka PayPay Dome On the street between Tojin-machi subway station and Fukuoka PayPay Dome, via HAWKS Tojin-dori Street, you can find fourteen artistic manhole covers with designs depicting the official mascot of the Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS, a local professional baseball team. At nearby Tojin-machi Shopping Arcade, you can find a traditional Japanese confectionary shop that used to be a purveyor to the Fukuoka Domain in the Edo period, as well as popular bakeries. You can feel the history of the area here. There were eight temples constructed as a fort to fend off intruders from the sea by the Fukuoka Domain in the Edo period. Jigyo Chuo Park The park features Matsu no Mi(Pinecone), a work designed by the Fukuoka-born sculptor Etsuro Sotoo. This approachable work fits in well with the　overall design of the park, which is based on the　motif of medieval Europe. FUKU 51 MANHOLE The FUKU 51 Manhole Project was launched in 2018 to commemorate the 88th anniversary of　Fukuoka City's sewage works system. A limited run of 51 manhole covers displaying a heart-symbolizing the desire to bring people together in happiness and love-were created and installed throughout the city. Sewer pipes interconnect underground where they cannot be seen to aid residents in living their daily lives safely and with peace of mind. The city is using manhole covers as a means to raise interest in sewage works among as many people as possible. Cards with the design of the artistic manhole covers are also being distributed. The manhole cover designs are Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS. [Distribution locations] Information Plaza (Fukuoka City Hall 1F) 9:00 to 20:00 Closed: December 31 to January 3 The manhole cover designs are unique to Fukuoka City. [Distribution locations] Pom Plaza 2F (Gion-machi, Hakata-ku) 10:00 to 19:00 Closed: The third Wednesday, December 28 to January 3 P18-19 Discover FUKUOKA The contents and volumes are subject to change. Parts of the events may be canceled or postponed due to novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) control measures. Please confirm details with the office in advance Here is information on events being held in the city from June to August. TAKAHATA ISAO A LEGEND IN JAPANESE ANIMATION An introduction to the level of detail that Isao Takahata put into his directing, such as storyboards, original drawings, videos, and many other materials, including some unreleased content. Now in session to July 18 (Sun) 9:30 to 17:30 *Open until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays in July (Open until 30 minutes before closing time) Closed: Mondays (Will be the following weekday in case of a holiday) Adult 1,500 yen, high school/university students 1,000yen, elementary/junior high school students 600 yen Fukuoka Art Museum (Ohorikoen, Chuo-ku) 714-6051 The Future Brought by Glover: The Secret of Steam Through displays and hands-on experiences, this exhibition sheds light on the steam engine, introduced into Japan by Thomas Glover, and clears up mysteries relating to the man himself. Open weekends from Now in session to August 29 *Open every day from July 22 to August 26 9:30 to 17:30 (Entry until 17:00) Adult 1,000 yen, high school students or younger 600 yen, free for preschoolers Fukuoka City Science Museum (4 Ropponmatsu, Chuo-ku) 731-2525 MOOMIN COMIC STRIPS EXHIBITION An introduction to the charms of the world of The Moomins, including displays of character backgrounds and original drawings, primarily relating to the comic book version. Now in session to July 11 (Sun) 10:00 to 18:00 (Entry until 17:30) Closed: Mondays Adult 1,500 yen, high school/university students 1,100 yen, elementary/junior high school students 600 yen Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art (5 Tenjin, Chuo-ku) 715-3551 Yokai Exhibition This exhibition features 30 illustrations and paintings of yokai (supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore) as envisioned by eight artists. July 5 (Mon) to 11 (Sun) 10:00 to 18:00 (12:00 to 18:00 on first day, 10:00 to 16:00 on final day) ACROS Fukuoka (1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku) Cultural Information, ACROS Fukuoka 725-9100 P20-21 Discover FUKUOKA The contents and volumes are subject to change. Parts of the events may be canceled or postponed due to novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) control measures. Please confirm details with the office in advance. Tokugawa Ieyasu and Successive Shoguns: Famous National Treasures Housed at Kunozan Tosho-gu Shrine An exhibition of roughly 150 items, including the armor and sword that belonged to Tokugawa Ieyasu, his favorite items from later in life, as well as suits of armor, paintings and calligraphic works relating to other successive shoguns. July 16 (Fri) to September 5 (Sun) 9:30 to 17:30 *Open until 20:00 on Fridays, weekends and holidays from July 22 to August 26 (Entry until 30 minutes before closing time) Closed: Mondays (Will be the following weekday in case of a holiday) Adult 1,500 yen, high school/university students 900 yen, free for junior high school students or younger Fukuoka City Museum (3 Momochihama, Sawara-ku) 845-5011 Night Aquarium Visitors can enjoy Marine World at night, filled with attractions not available during the day. Weekends, holidays and summer holidays from July to September scheduled 9:30 to 21:00 (Entry until 20:00) High school students or older 2,350 yen, elementary/junior high school students 1,100 yen, age 3 or older 600 yen, age 65 or older 1,880 yen Marine World Uminonakamichi (Saitozaki, Higashi-ku) 603-0400 Mole, the Deliveryman of Deliciousness Connecting the World through Flavor and Tra nsportation: A Puzzle-solving Subway Tour This hands-on puzzle-solving event takes place at facilities located along the subway line. Ride the subway and solve puzzles set up throughout the city in order to reach the goal. Now in session to March 31 (Thu), 2022 Required time: Over 4 hours 3,000 yen (Participation kit with a one-day pass f or the city subway) Sales: Within city subway stations 7-Eleven Meinohama station store, Fujisaki station store, Hakata station store, Kaizuka station store, Fukuoka city tourist information (Tenjin, Hakata station), etc *Not sold at subway station counters or commuter pass ticket offices. For details, please check the website. Maizuru Park BBQ Garden Visitors can enjoy barbecue and a beer garden inside the park. Some reservation plans allow you to bring in your own food and drinks, and others enable you to show up empty-handed. For details, please check the website. Now in session to late November 11:00 to 21:30 (Entry until 19:00) Differ for each plans *Reservation required Maizuru Park Sannomaru Square (Jonai, Chuou-ku) 600-4549 Midori no machi Marché Emphasis is placed on freshness, eco-friendliness, and interactions with others. Organic vegetables, processed livestock products and other items are also sold. June 26 (Sat), July 24 (Sat), August 28 (Sat) 10:00 to 14:00 Maizuru Park Sannomaru Square (Jonai, Chuou-ku) 781-2153 P22-23 WITH THE KYUSHU Ceramic items of the Prefectures of Kyushu, Vol. 2 Crafts developed in Kyushu include everyday tools essential to our daily lives. Continuing from the previous issue (Oita Prefecture, Saga Prefecture, Nagasaki Prefecture), this page introduces ceramic items found among the crafts of each prefecture. Kumamoto Prefecture ～Amakusa Ware～ In Amakusa, porcelain materials of the highest quality, called Amakusa pottery stones, have been mined for centuries, and porcelain production has prospered. Amakusa porcelain is a general term for products made in the Amakusa region, and was designated as a national traditional craft in 2003. The Amakusa area was under direct control of the Edo shogunate, and each village produced its own pottery, so visitors can enjoy the individual styles of each potter as there was no set pattern. Amakusa City Industrial Policy Office 0969-32-6786 Reihoku Town Commerce, Industry and Tourism Office 0969-35-3332 Kagoshima Prefecture ～Satsuma Kiriko～ This glasswork was developed and produced as an overseastrade item by Shimazu Nariakira, lord of the Satsuma Domain at the end of the Edo period. A piece of this glasswork was even presented to the Tokugawa household as a dowry for Atsuhime, Nariakira's adopted daughter who was arranged to marry Tokugawa Iesada. This style of glasswork disappeared for a time starting from the beginning of the Meiji period, but in 1985, its mysterious and exquisite sparkle was reborn. It is made by overlaying transparent glass with a sheet of colored glass between 2mm and 5mm thick and then cutting grooves and facets into the layer of colored glass, which creates its characteristic blurring effect where the two layers meet. Kagoshima Prefecture Kagoshima PR Office 099-286-3050 Miyazaki Prefecture ～Miyazaki Lathe Crafts～ These wooden crafts are made from pieces of zelkova and cherry tree wood and finished into circular products, such as plates and tea bottles, using a potter's wheel. A broad range of techniques are used throughout the process, from selecting the wood through to finishing work and the manufacture of specialized tools. The finishing work, in particular, requires well-practiced, precise wood-turning techniques. This results in products that maximize the grain of the wood and convey the warmth of its texture. Miyazaki Prefecture All Miyazaki Sales Office 0985-26-7591 P24 Heat Stroke Prevention & Covid-19 Prevention Heatstroke often occurs not only outdoors but indoors as well. Older people tend to have a weaker sense of temperature and may be less likely to notice a rise in temperature. In infants and toddlers, onset can occur even in a short period of time. Pay careful attention to the elderly as well as infants and toddlers. To Prevent Heatstroke ･Wearing a mask during the summer, when temperatures and humidity are high, increases the risk of heat stroke. Caution is necessary. ･When outside, remove your mask as appropriate if you can maintain a distance of at least 2 meters from others. ･Avoid intense exercise when wearing a mask. ･Hydrate frequently, even if you do not feel thirsty. ･When inside, use air-conditioning and electric fans moderately, and ventilate frequently. After ventilating, re-set the temperature of the air-conditioning. ･When going out, use a hat or a sun umbrella to avoid direct sunlight. ･When you get sweaty, drink not only fluids but also saline products with isotonic drinks and others. ･Eat well, sleep well, and maintain a healthy physical condition. Mental Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Section 711-4270 Heat Index Information Fukuoka City websaite Posts a“heat index”that indicates the likelihood of heat stroke, as well as preventive measures. Fukuoka City official LINE Delivered on days when the heat index is expected to reach“dangerous”level. Environmental Conservation Section 733-5386