Campus Life


About Fukuoka

An historic city with modern spirit and a cosmopolitan culture

Fukuoka City, where Seinan Gakuin is located, is situated on the island of Kyushu, the southwesternmost of Japan’s four major islands. It is a city built on commerce, with a population of about 1.6 million, and has developed as the cultural and commercial center of the island. The city enjoys a convenient geographic location with easy access to other Asian nations, only 540 kilometers from Seoul and 870 kilometers f rom Shanghai, versus 1,100 kilometers to Tokyo. Its proximity to the Chinese mainland and the Korean Peninsula has given it a long history as the gateway between Japan and the rest of Asia. Provided with a large-scale international airport, international ferry services and the largest container port in the region, Fukuoka City is actively fulfilling its role as the “gateway to Kyushu, open to Asia.”

Fukuoka City is attracting attention as an international city. Fukuoka was chosen as one of the 10 world’s hottest cities in Newsweek magazine published in July 2006, together with the well-known cities such as Las Vegas. In choosing Fukuoka, the weekly said major companies, such as Toyota Motor Corp., have invested heavily in the city, and Kyushu is often described as a “silicon island” or “car island”. There were 6,017 international students living in Fukuoka prefecture in 2007 which is the third largest concentration of international students in Japan.

Fukuoka City is engaged in a variety of exchanges not only with Asia, but indeed with the world. It enjoys sister-city relationships with Oakland, California; Bordeaux, France; Auckland in New Zealand; Guangzhou, China; Ipoh, Malaysia; and Pusan; Korea, among others. A host of cultural exchange events, international conventions and meetings are held throughout the year, establishing Fukuoka as a truly international city.

One of the key attractions of Fukuoka is the way it combines the convenience of the city with a rich natural environment. The public transport network is excellent, with rail, bus and subway services that make it easy to get around in the city. Lush natural surroundings - sea and mountains - are only about 30 minutes away from downtown, and the city is noted nationwide for its delicious foods. It offers a number of local specialties. The city is also well known for its youthful vitality, which has nurtured many musicians, entrepreneurs, and entertainers, providing an atmosphere of creative energy and vitality.

Ohori Park Fukuoka Castle Ruins Hakata Gion Yamakasa

More information about Fukuoka can be found at:

About Fukuoka City
  http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/english/index.html

Living in Fukuoka
  http://www.rainbowfia.or.jp/en/living/

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