Fukuoka City lies on the northern coast of Kyushu, the southernmost of the four main islands of Japan. The population of the city is approximately 1.4 million people, making it the 8th largest city in Japan.
Being the closest major city in Japan to the Korean Peninsula and China, Fukuoka has from ancient times been a gateway for economic and cultural exchanges with its Asian neighbors. On the basis of these historical and geographical links, the city is working hard on many levels to strengthen its relationships with the rest of Asia, towards the goal of becoming a "focal point for the exchange of Asia" .

Fukuoka is the economic, administrative and cultural center of the island of Kyushu. Kyushu as a whole has a population of 13 million people and a land area of 42,175m².

The Gold Seal, a National Treasure, was originally presented to the King of Na (present day Fukuoka) by the Emperor of the Han Dynasty in AD 57. The Gold Seal is the most important artifact symbolizing the long history of exchange between Fukuoka and the Asian mainland.

Fukuoka enjoys a moderate climate similar to the southeastern coast of the United States or central and southern Europe. The best times to visit Fukuoka are in the spring and fall.

Fukuoka City is recognized as a safe, clean and compact city by many visitors to Fukuoka. This is for its easy access within the city. In 10-20 minutes from the airport, major accommodation and convention facilities along with tourist and after convention sites are located all within the city's center.

You can enjoy the fresh seafood from the Genkai sea, the Tonkotsu Ramen (noodles in milky pork bones soup), Mizutaki (Hot pot dish of Fukuoka with boiled chicken), Fugu (Blowfish) Cuisine, the Hakata's specialty from the yatai (street strolls), along with bars and restaurants in the largest entertainment quarter in Kyushu, Nakasu. Not just Fukuoka’s traditional dish, there are many restaurants serving dishes from all other the world, such as French, Italian, and Asian.

Fukuoka is a modern city, but historic and cultural festivals and facilities are carefully kept. “Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival”, the largest festival in the city is held every year in July for more than 760 years.

Fukuoka holds many festivals and events each year. Some examples include the Hakata Dontaku Port Festival, the liveliest festival in Japan, the 700 year old Hakata Gion Yamakasa, and the Asian Month where the art and cultures of various Asian countries are introduced for a month. Visitors are sure to be greeted with warm hospitality by these festival-loving people. These citizens helped volunteer for numbers of major conventions and were a key to a success in the congress.

Fukuoka City was rated as a number one city in Asia for quality of life by surveys published in Asiaweek in 1997, 1999, and 2000. In the July 2006 issue of Newsweek, Fukuoka was chosen as one of the World’s 10 Hottest Cities along with worldwide known cities such as Las Vegas, Munich and London. In the English magazine “MONOCLE” of 2008, Fukuoka was named as the 17th most livable city in the world. It was also rated No.1 as a retail city, and for having superior quality food and abundant nature with mountain and sea. This indicates how Fukuoka City is highly evaluated, not just in Asia, but in the world.

The number of international conventions held in Fukuoka City is increasing each year. With the survey held by JNTO (Japan National Tourist Organization), Fukuoka ranked 4th place for the number of international conventions held in 2007 domestically. This proves that the city has the facility, knowledge and the support to hold a successful congress.

For Fukuoka City's photos and DVDFukuoka City Promotion Site