r/fukuoka

Hi everyone! I’m hoping someone in Fukuoka may have experience with this or can point us in the right direction.

I’m an American citizen living in the U.S., and my fiancée is a Thai citizen living in Thailand. We’re traveling to Japan together in September and are hoping to legally marry by submitting a 婚姻届 (kon’in todoke) at Hakata Ward Office in Fukuoka on September 22.

Neither of us is a Japanese citizen or resident, so we’re trying to make absolutely sure we have everything required before arriving. We’ve already contacted Hakata Ward Office by email with detailed questions, but because our trip is approaching, we’re also hoping to hear from anyone who has experience with two foreign nationals getting married in Japan—especially in Fukuoka.

I currently have a valid U.S. passport and a newly issued certified copy of my birth certificate. I have never been married. My fiancée is obtaining the corresponding Thai documents, including proof that she is legally free to marry. We also understand that documents may need Japanese translations.

One complication on the American side is that, as of September 1, 2025, U.S. diplomatic missions in Japan no longer notarize the old Affidavit of Competency to Marry. We have the U.S. Embassy’s “Letter in Lieu of Marriage Affidavit,” but we are trying to confirm exactly what Hakata Ward Office will accept from an American citizen under the current procedure.

We’re particularly hoping to hear from anyone who knows:

• What documents Hakata Ward Office currently requires when BOTH people are foreign nationals
• What an American who has never been married should provide as proof of legal capacity to marry now that the U.S. Embassy no longer provides the old affidavit
• Whether there are any special requirements for the Thai partner’s documents
• Whether documents such as birth certificates or single-status documents need apostilles, Japanese translations, or both
• Whether there is anything we should prepare in advance that might not be obvious from the general information online

Our goal isn’t just to have a ceremony—we want to make sure the marriage is legally registered in Japan and that we can obtain the proper proof of marriage afterward, since we will eventually need the marriage documentation for U.S. immigration purposes.

If anyone here has recently married as a foreign national in Fukuoka, works with Japanese administrative procedures, or knows who we should contact locally for reliable guidance, we would be incredibly grateful for any advice.

Thank you!

This is an embarrassing and vulnerable post… I’m a Canadian who’s recently moved to Fukuoka for the year. I’ve never experienced an earthquake before until moving here, and I thought I wouldn’t be bothered much by experiencing them.

When the quake hit in Kumamoto I was home alone at the time and hid under my table, I didn’t have my phone with me and had no idea how long earthquakes even last, but my house was shaking and making loud noises so much that my life flashed before my eyes and I thought I was going to die. I know this is insensitive considering it was such a small quake for us and people had actually lost their lives but I was terrified.

Since then I’ve tried to rationalize the fear by researching quakes and understanding that Japanese buildings are built to withstand, but I wasn’t able to leave my home in nearly two weeks. Today I had karaoke booked so I pushed myself to just go (we had another earthquake today around 6am that was weaker but enough to startle me, however I wasn’t alone this time so I felt ok)

Anyways cut to me going to karaoke alone, I ended up having a panic attack and having to leave very early, I just kept imagining the building collapsing and every other worst case scenario, at this point I’ve broken down and I just want to go back to Canada. But I know this is insane, and irrational, and I want to get over it but everytime I hear a noise i immediately have anxiety spikes and have almost been in a dissociative state.

I guess I’m just sharing this incase anyone is going through anything similar or has any advice. My boyfriend is from here and has been really enjoying getting to be near his family this year so I haven’t spoken to him about all of my thoughts about wanting to leave, and I know it’s not what I truly want anyways

Hi everybody :) do you have any recommendations that are not on the typical "Things to do in Fukuoka" list?

For example 2 years ago we found by accident people talk about the GEAR non verbal theater in Kyoto which was amazing and as it seems not many people knew about it outside of Japan.

Do you know about more experiences like that in Fukuoka or the Kyushu region?

Thank you

I’ve seen this post has been made before but I’m just looking to see if the same onsens exist. I had a look at Nakagawa Seiryu, and on the online booking for family rooms it doesn’t allow tattoos.

I understand it’s highly likely I will need to go to a private room but wonder if people can point me in the right direction. Going to be traveling in October time. Is Beppu or Oita possible to do in a day it maybe feels a bit rushed for an onsen day maybe better to stay over night there?

Hoping everyone out in itoshima and nishi ward are ok.

Im a foreigner living here in yoshizuka, hakata since 7 months. All these months went like work to room and room to work. I haven't been to any places here but now i want to explore this city.

Finally, I'm able to spend on my hobbies and interests. I like football. Im planning to join a boxing class too (or gym).

Hi, I’m thinking of staying 3 weeks in Fukuoka and working remotely while also exploring the city and having day/weekend trips to other cities in January.

Has anyone done this before? Any advice on finding an airbnb or longer stay accommodation that may be suitable?

Any advice in general?

I’d be flying from New Zealand!

Hello! Tourist here. My laptop’s screen turned black :( i badly need help. Im currently staying in Hakata area. Do you know any laptop repair shops nearby?

Hi all
I’m due to be in Fukuoka around the start of September. Will be around for a week. I’m staying around nakasukawabata station.

I was wondering if there any recommendations for locations for city photography? Happy to travel around the city

Thanks in advance

I must quickly go back to my home country for medical reasons.

I have plenty of furnitures and devices that I’d like to dispose quickly, but I am clueless on the best way to do it.

I was thinking about going to second street, does anyone have experience with it ? Can we go there with a car full of stuff and they will buy everything ?

I heard they won’t bother with ikea furnitures, can anyone confirm ?

I bought a car 2 years ago from a Honda seller, does anyone have experience in selling car quickly ?

This topic may have been asked several time and I am sorry if it the case.

I just learn a terrible news and must act quickly to give my wife the best way to enjoy our 2 weeks old baby before it’s too late.

Thank you for your answers, take care of your loved one.

Hi everyone!
I’m looking for 4 foreign residents or international students in Fukuoka who would like to join a special Kendo experience for FREE this Friday.
Date: Friday, August 14
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Fukuoka
You’ll get to:
Experience Japanese Kendo
Take photos wearing Kendo uniform and hakama
Be part of a Japanese TV program filming at the dojo
Experience traditional Japanese martial arts culture
No Kendo experience is necessary. Beginners are very welcome.
You don’t need to have any experience appearing on TV. Just come and enjoy the experience.
There is NO participation fee.
Only the first 4 people will be accepted.
If you’re interested, please send me a DM.
I’ll send you the details, including the exact location, by DM.
KendoExp – Experience authentic Japanese Kendo in Fukuoka

i'm moving to fukuoka (from tokyo) in september but i haven't found a place yet. i've been looking for an apartment mostly, but starting a new job and settling in a new apartment within a short time frame sounds stressful soi wanna start with share house for the first few months. if anyone knows where i can find a foreigner-friendly share house (private room) within 30 mins from hakata station that'd be really helpful! thank you!

(context: my japanese is still very shit but i can get away with translation app, i've looked through most foreigner-friendly sites but mostly no availability)

I'm interested in the cs undergraduate program ( english taught) offered by kyushu(iup) and aizu(ICT program)university.

Going to apply for 2027 intake

But I'm not quite confident about my profile

12th grade marks :

Phy 74

Maths 71

Chem 89

English 91

Computer science 91

I'm appearing for eju nov session aiming 150+ in maths 2 and 80+ in physics

Also appearing for ielts aiming for 7.0+

I have no extracurriculars though I have some basic coding skills ( it's not helpful at all though unless i build some projects or something related to that 😭😭)

Do I have a chance to get in any one of them ?

Also will appreciate any advice to improve my profile 🙏

looking to buy a set of dumbbells in fukuoka. nothing too heavy, maybe only 5-6kg.

according to a quick google search Alpen Fukuoka in Canal city sells dumbbells but I haven’t seen anything on their website or social media that indicates they sell dumbbells.

is anyone able to confirm if they have seen dumbbells being sold there or have any recommendations on where I can buy some in Fukuoka?

thanks so much