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Fukuoka - The Japanese city you haven't heard of

  • Writer: Becky Cresswell
    Becky Cresswell
  • Jun 1, 2016
  • 3 min read

So almost everyone on the planet can name at least one Japanese city, the most popular being Tokyo (obviously) and then others like Hiroshima, Osaka and Nagasaki then tend to crop up. And in my experience, if you ask any person that's gone on holiday or planning to go to Japan 99% of the time the answer is Tokyo. Tokyo. Tokyo!

And don't get me wrong...I get it.

The crazy Akihabara district known for electronic and 'otaku' goods has become a mecca to fans of such around the world.

Harajuku and Shibuya satisfy any fashion hungry holiday makers.

Nightlife? Roppongi.

Sights? Asakusa.

Extreme natural beauty? Mount Fuji (you get the idea)

But the way I see it there's plenty of reason to go outside the safety net of Tokyo and enjoy a very different big city adventure. Fukuoka is the main city of (surprise surprise) Fukuoka Prefecture in the north of Kyushu. With a population of around 2.5 million it is Japan's sixth largest city even overtaking the historic Kyoto. Yet when was the last time you heard this conversation...

"Yeah we're thinking of going to Japan this year, spend a couple weeks in Fukuoka"

"Oh really? The so cool I know so many people that have gone to Fukuoka and loved it" ?

The more likely response would be "Where the hell's that? Foo-coo-oh-ca? Never heard of it" Cause lets face it, most people haven't!

Well let me tell you, I spent just under a year living in Fukuoka Prefecture and hand on heart can say I. BLOODY. LOVED. IT.

To start, the city itself has beautiful beaches and parks combined with the warm climate of the southern Kyushu island (put it this way snow on any part of the island is considered a big event!). The nightlife and shopping areas like Hakata and Tenjin are amazing- the city barely sleeps. Add a bit of history, great transport links (and heck there's even a half decent collection of sport teams to support) and there you go, perfect holiday destination ahoy.

Now this all sounds very rose tinted and lovely but I know what you're thinking "Err if it's so great why haven't I heard of it?" And truth is you'd be right in asking. In all honesty Fukuoka is still getting to grips with being on the global stage. While there's a H&M down the road and nearly everyone speaks enough English to tell you "Sorry I don't speak English" Fukuoka is still a way off Tokyo's international game. Put it this way, if you head out of the main city centre you better start learning your 'arigatou's' from your 'gomenasai's' because most people won't speak more English then your very basics (or any other language for that matter!). Also, while signs will still be translated, menus, maps and other useful stuff will start having less and less foreign language translations.

Aside from not having the multilingual side that Tokyo has mastered leaving the tourist orientated and westernised world of Tokyo, Osaka etc. can actually feel very, very different. Hilariously I didn't suffer any kind of culture shock coming to Japan UNTIL I went to Tokyo (about 4 months into my stay). I remember going from Fukuoka prefecture where the number of foreign people I saw in a day could be counted on my fingers to literally walking down one street in Shinjuku and losing count. I also remember sitting down in a restaurant and being asked if I'd like the English menu and nearly falling off my chair! (All true but joking aside) Basically Fukuoka is a big Japanese city for Japanese people, and being on the other side of Japan from Tokyo (and a mer 40 minutes from South Korea by plane!) means it's got it's own distinct vibe, it's own culture, it's own feel. And to be honest, if you want a bit more of Japan then want they want to spoon feed you? You should definitely go there.

Who knows you might even like it :)

 
 
 

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