Online dictionary of geography and travels in Japan: Fukuoka

Fukuoka City

福岡市
alternative words: Fukuokashi city, Fukuokashi, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka shi, Hakata, Fukuoka
keywords: g8 , harbor , kyushu , town
related topics: Fukuoka Prefecture , Fukuoka airport
related web sites: http://www.city.fukuoka.jp , http://www.yado.co.jp/kankou/fukuoka/fukudai/fudaiindex.htm , http://www.hikyaku.com/summit/fukuokag.html
explanation: Capital of Fukuoka Prefecture and one of the major cities of Kyushu region. Historically the city is composed of 2 sectors: Hakata had been a harbor and merchant town which commanded the communication between Japan and the continent since the 7th century while Fukuoka proper had developed as a castle town of seignior Kuroda during Edo period. The actual Fukuoka comes from a merger of these 2 towns. The population is about 1.3 million.

Fukuoka Prefecture

福岡県
alternative words: Fukuokaken prefecture, Fukuoka, Fukuokaken, Fukuoka-ken, Fukuoka ken
keywords: g8 , kyushu , prefecture
related topics: Fukuoka City , Kitakyushu city , Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine , Nishi-nippon railroad , Kanmon bridge
related web sites: http://www.pref.fukuoka.jp
explanation: Fukuoka prefecture occupies the northern part of Kyushu region, facing Japanese Sea. Its surface is 4,959 km2 and the population 4.7 millions. The prefectural office is at Fukuoka City. Though nearly exhausted, thanks to coal mine, the northern region has become the fourth industry aria in Japan after Nagoya. In the southern region, the farmers are cultivating rice, fruits and vegetables. As one of the old political centers of Japan, there are many tourist spots like town of Dazaifu.