Nature Fukuoka City has an area of about 338 km2. The city is located in the center of the cresent-shaped Fukuoka plain, facing the Genkai Sea on the north surrounded by mountain systems of Sefuri, Sangun, and Inunaki. The climate is rather mild with the annual mean temperature of about 17 and is characteristic of the climate of the Japan Sea. History The city has the geographical advantage of being close to the Korean Peninsula and the Chinese Continent and has served as a gateway to import Asian continental cultures from olden times. In the fourth century B.C., the first rice cultivation in Japan began in this area. The golden seal found in Shikanoshima Island is reliable evidence that proves the exchange of continental cultures in the first century. From the seventh century over to the eleventh century, Korokan - an ancient guest - house - was the hub of interchange. Later, in the sixteenth century, wealthy merchants in Hakata went overseas seeking for profitable business. In 1889, the twenty-second year of the Meiji Era, Fukuoka City was born by the organization of a city administration. In 1989, the Asia-Pacific Expo was held to celebrate the First Centennial of the Fukuoka City Administration. Industry The basics of the city's economy can be seen from the gross city product. In 1994, it was about six trillion two hundred billion yen and was equivalent to about 1.3 percent of the gross national product. Fukuoka City has developed as a base in Western Japan including Kyushu integrated with central government agencies, major company branches, and financial and service trades. Now, the city tries to financially rely on itself more by activating existing industries and promoting the development of rising urban industries such as the convention industry and information industry, and also tries to diversify and stratify the industrial structures. Size and Population Fukuoka has an area of 336. 50km square(129. 9mi. square) and a population of 1, 270, 048 (as of January 1994), making it the eighth largest city in Japan and the largest city on the island of Kyushu. In terms of population, Fukuoka is approximately the same size as Munich, Germany; Brisbane, Australia; or the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas metropolitan area in the United States. Attraction Fukuoka Tower Erected in 1989, Fukuoka Tower is constructed of 8, 000 two-way mirrors and is referred to as "Mirror Sail. "The tower was dedicated in commemoration of the centenary of Fukuoka becoming a municipality. At 234 meters high, it is easily the tallest coastal tower in Japan. The lookout, at a height of 123 meters, offers views of the azure Genkai Sea and the far reaching outskirts of Fukuoka City. Marizon Pier These recreational facilities, built on a pier in Momochi Seaside Park, feature restaurants specializing in seafood, multi - purpose halls and souvenir shops. Scuba diving training is also provided at a diving pool. Bayside Place Hakata Futoh This stylish waterfront terminal, with its 18quaint specialty stores and restaurants, features a dazzling aquarium with over 1, 500 fish. Uminonakamichi Seaside Park uminonakamichi Seaside Park Uminonakamichi peninsula, bound on one side by the calm waters of Hakata Bay and on the other by the Genkai Sea, is a nationally managed recreation and resort area comprising 540 hectares (1. 334 acres). The amusement area's 100meter (328 ft. ) tall ferris wheel, children's play area, six swimming pools, miles of cycling courses and more offer fun for the entire family.  Marine
WorldThis marine science museum, in, the shape of a seashell, houses some 7, 000 marine creatures representing over 230 species. They can be observed in the cylindrical aquarium (the largest in Japan), a walk-through tunnel aquarium or the museum's unique video camera equipped aquarium. Dolphin and sea lion shows van also be enjoyed in an outdoor auditorium seating 2, 000. Ohori Park One of Japan's noted parks, with its beautiful lake, it is said to be a copy of Xi Hu in China. The park was constructed utilizing the outer moat of Fukuoka Castle. Featuring a large central lake of 2 km (1. 24 miles)in circumference, Ohori Park is one if the prominent parks in Japan. Within the park grounds are the city's Art Museum, Noh Theater, and Japanese Garden, Located near the city center, this park is popular with citizens as a place for strolling, jogging or boating. Fukuoka Castle Ruins Adjacent to Ohoru Park, are the ruins if Fukuoka Castle Which was built by Lord Nagamasa Kuroda in the early 17th century. The main gate and lookout tower of the castle, give us a glimpse if the castle's former grandeur. Tenjin Underground Shopping Arcade With about 100 shops, this underground shopping arcade features top men's and women's fashions, shoes and accessories, books, and traditional Japanese clothing, along with quiet coffee shops and restaurants. The underground walkway, with some twenty exits, connects to several buildings and the city subway making it quite convenient for walking downtown. Tenjin Nishi and Oyafuko Avenues Locate in downtown Fukuoka, Tenjin Nishi Avenue overflows with unique restaurants, bars, and fashionable boutiques. The northern extension of this street is known as Oyafuko Avenue and is popular with the younger crowd for its abundant discos, inexpensive night spots and restaurants. Nakasu Bordered in each side by the Naka and Hakata rivers, the small island measuring only 250 meters(820 ft. )east to west and 1, 500 meters(4920 ft. )north to south is Western Japan's largest and most bustling entertainment district with approximately 2, 500 restaurants and bars. Neon signs reflecting off the Naka river and ambiance to the area where many of the city's movie theaters are also located. Yatai Street Stalls Famous in Fukuoka, some 230 Yatai streer stalls are wheeled out every evening to serve up ramen noodles, Yakitori(bar-b-qued skeewers of meat and vegetables), tempura(deep fried shrimp and vegetables), as well as other dishes at reasonable prices. Transportation in Fukuoka 
Access to and travel within Fukuoka has never been easier. The major
ports of entry of Fukuoka Airport, Hakata Station and Hakata Port received
over 82. 01 million passengers in 1993. The efficient commuter train
system, extensive bus lines, and a clean and easy to understand city
subway make owning a car unnecessary. JR Train Service The recently remodeled Hakata Station is the main station for all of Kyusyu island, offering JR train service to all of the major cities of Kyusyu as well as many of the lessor known areas. The clean and comfortable. Shinkansen bullet train also begins here for trips to Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Tokyo and many points in between. Newly erected English signs and a tourist information center in the station concourse make traveling even easier for the foreign visitor.  Inquiries
about JR linesJR West Japan (Shinkansen bullet train) 092 - 472 - 8426 JR Kyusyu (local line) 092 - 471 - 8111 Commuter Train Lines Nishitetsu Railway Company operates two private train lines which serve as commuter links to the city. The Omuta Line connects downtown Fukuoka with the city of Omuta located to the south of the prefecture. The Miyajidake Line connects Kaizuka subway station with the town of Tsuyazaki to the east of the city. Subway The fastest way to get around the city as well as to visit many of the tourist attractions is by the modern and clean subway. The subway system has two lines covering a total of 14. 5km(9 miles). The Kuko Line links Fukuoka Airport with Meinohama via Hakata Station. The recent extension of this line to the airport made Fukuoka Airport the only airport in Japan served by a subway line, and allows passengers to travel from the airport to downtown in less than fifteen from the airport to downtown in less than fifteen minutes. The second and shorter Hakozaki Line links Nakasu Kawabata with Kaizuka. Trains operate from approximately 6:00A. M. to midnight and come at intervals ranging from five to eight minutes. English station and exit signs and an English announcement on the subway make it simple to use by the foreign visitor. Taxi Fukuoka City has an abundance of taxis making it possible to catch one any time of day or night. Taxi stands are located in front of all major hotels, shopping areas, bus and train stations, and many government and private buildings. Most taxis in Fukuoka have a multilingual Question and Answer Driver Handbook written in Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese to ease communication between passengers and drivers. Buses Two private bus lines, Nishitetsu and Showa, serve nearly every corner of the city and operate regularly from early morning to nearly midnight. Two major bus stations one in downtown Tenjin and the other adjacent to Hakata Station conveniently link the train lines with the major bus routes. Each bus is clearly marked with a number indicating its route, and for easy traveling, passengers may purchase discount tickets and bus cards giving the user a 10% to 15% discount off the regular fare. Ferry Services Fukuoka City operated several ferry lines which serve the local citizens and tourists. Ferry routes operate between Meinohama and Nokonishima Island; and between Hakata Wharf and Saitozaki, Shikanoshima Island and Uminonakamichi. From mid-July to the end of August, the city operates evening cruises on Hakata Bay. Lunch, dinner and night cruise ship "Mariera. " Lunch and dinner cruises operate throughout the year and night cruises operate from mid - July to the end of August. For more information or to make reservations in these cruises, call 751-7171. Food Yatai Famous in Fukuoka, some 230 Yatai streer stalls are wheeled out every evening to serve up ramen noodles, Yakitori (bar-b-qued skeewers of meat and vegetables), tempura(deep fried shrimp and vegetables), as well as other dishes at reasonable prices. Tonkotsu Ramen The broth of this dish is made by boiling pork bones for a long period of time. Thin noodles are added and the dish is garnished with slices of roast pork and chopped spring onions. Optional ginger and sesame seeds give it extra flavor. Fugu Dishes Fugu (blowfish) is the most famous of the fresh fish found in the markets daily. Enjoy the taste as well as the presentation of the fugu, arranged on a large dish like a flower. Karashi Mentaiko (Spicy Chilled Cod Roe) This food was originally eaten on the Korean peninsula. Codfish roe is marinated in salt and red pepper. It is eaten not only with rice, but also with spaghetti and bread. It is very popular in Japan as a souvenir of Hakata. Motsu-nabe Fresh beef intestines boiled with leeks, cabbage, garlic and red pepper. You can chose from various flavors such as miso, soy sauce, and sukiyaki. Mizutaki Chopped chicken meat and vegetables boiled in chicken broth. It is eaten with ponzu, made by mixing soy sauce and juice pressed from a bitter variety of orange. Kotonegi, a special kind of green onion, is added for spice. |
The above material are taken from All Travel Japan Tourism
|
Japan
Vacation Hotel Reservations
|
Hotels
in Japan
|
|
Japan
Travel Information
|
Terms
& Conditions
|
| >> Featured Hotel Partners << |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Worldwide Discount Hotel Reservations |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Priority
Search Engine Submission © January 5th, 2006 E-Biz Travel Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Central Reservation Office, Bangkok operating hours : Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (GMT+07:00) Office Close on Sunday & Thailand Public Holidays Bangkok Office : 31 Phyathai Building, 9th Floor, Room No. 916, Phyathai Road, Phyathai, Ratchthevi, Bangkok, Thailand 10400 Tel : +66 2246-1400 to 2 Fax : +66 2246-1403 USA Office Tel : +1 603-670-3276 , +1 603-821-4556 Please contact us for any suggestions or comments |