Fukuoka Prefecture, Administrative prefecture on Kyushu island, Japan.
The prefecture sits in the northern part of Kyushu island, stretching across mountain ranges, plains, and coastal strips along the Inland Sea and the Kanmon Strait. Larger cities sit near the coast, while the inland shows gentle hills, rice paddies, and smaller towns.
Settlements here served for centuries as the first landing points for travelers and traders from Korea and China, making the region a gateway between Japan and Asia. Later, industry and commerce grew along the coast, while rural areas continued to rely on farming and coal mining.
People here often speak in Hakata-ben or Chikuho-ben, two dialects you can hear every day, especially in local markets and smaller shops. Festivals like Hakata Gion Yamakasa bring neighbors together, who carry heavy floats through narrow streets while spectators cheer and splash cold water on the bearers.
Travelers will find two main hubs offering flights to Asia and trains across Japan, making the region a good starting point for tours around Kyushu. Those who want to explore rural areas should check schedules for regional trains and buses ahead of time.
The area splits into four parts: Kitakyushu focuses on factories and port facilities, while the city of Fukuoka houses offices and shopping districts. Chikuho shows abandoned coal mines alongside vegetable fields, and Chikugo preserves villages where families grow tea and fruit.
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