The Least Useful Guide to Fukuoka

Fukuoka city has an overwhelming number of foreign visitors. In 2015 (sorry for such an outdated data), for example, over 19 million gaijin-sans visited this city, and I am quite sure the figure has increased since then.  

The local economy seems to welcome the influx of tourists: local TV news shows keep reporting what they love to buy, eat and complaint about—more than bizarre murder cases or public servants’ wrongdoings, which are both features of Fukuoka; city bulletins direct us to wave hands to city-run sightseeing buses to show our welcome; and duty-free shops are everywhere.

This store sign reflects this situation very well. Where are we? Hong Kong or Seoul?

I honestly wonder whether it is fun for the visitors to shop at this kind of “gaijinsan-only” places? It must be convenient and time-saving, but I guess one of pleasures of traveling abroad is popping into a local store and experiencing a little trouble or three that is, of course, not life-threatening or hurting; such as getting two cups of hot chocolate when you order an iced coffee or getting lost and coming across an unexpectedly nice place—don’t you think so? And Japan is, I assume, one of few countries where you can embark on such an adventure with less worry about getting ripped off or robbed or murdered. The Fukuokan do not eat you. We are just feeling a bit…um…alienated in our own town.

Reference:

http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/data/open/cnt/3/57115/1/gaiyou1.pdf (retrieved:23 Feb. 2018)