Fukuoka Prefecture is located in northern Kyushu, Japan's westernmost major island. Because of its geographical proximity to the Korean Peninsula and the Asian mainland, as well as a long history of exchange with the continent, Fukuoka has assumed a role as a gateway to Asia, devoting significant effort to exchange with other Asian nations.
Fukuoka benefits from a convenient location. By airplane, Tokyo is only 1 hour 30 minutes away, Seoul 1:10, Shanghai 1:30, and Taipei 2:30. Fukuoka Airport offers regular flights to several Asian destinations as well as all of Japan's major cities. In addition, Hakata Port and Kitakyushu Port are two major ports of trade that support strong commercials exchange with many countries.
Beginning in the Meiji Era of the late 19th Century, the area developed as one of Japan's four major industrial regions, basing its industry on coal from Chikuho and Omuta as well as steel from Kitakyushu's Yahata. In recent years, the progress of the automobile and software industries has been significant, stimulating an increase in regular international flights that have lead to the development of several international-exchange facilities. Many international organizations, government agencies and private corporations have established a presence in Fukuoka, lending it an uncontested status as Kyushu's administrative, economic and cultural center.

Area: 4,971 km² (1,920 sq. miles)
Located in northern Kyushu, Japan's third largest island

Population: Approx. 5,000,000
Based on population, Fukuoka Prefecture is ranked 9th out of 47 administrative regions of Japan. Both Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu have populations of over 1,000,000 people, placing them among the major urban centers of Japan

Weather Annual Temperature Average: 17.1°C (62.8°F)
Hottest Month is August at 27.6°C (81.7°F) and the coldest month is January at 5.8°C (42.4°F), giving it a warm climate similar to US southern coastal areas and central/southern Europe.

Total annual precipitation: 2,083 mm (82 in.)
Rainy season in June and July, typhoon season in September and October. Snowfall is infrequent.

Prefectural Flower: plum blossom
Prefectural Bird: bush warbler