Journeys in Japan

Fukuoka City, Fukuoka: Rediscovering Asia in Fukuoka (1x1)

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Fukuoka facing the Genkai Sea has been geographically and historically a city open to East Asia. It still maintains links with many Asian countries-- from Port of Fukuoka, there is a ferry which runs between Fukuoka and Busan in the Republic of Korea. Walking through the city, our reporter Vincent encounters a wide variety of things which ties to East Asia. Yanagibashi Rengo Ichiba, a market which is known as Fukuoka's kitchen, offers foods and ingredients which trace their roots to different regions of Asia. Here, various food ingredients represent Asia -- Mentaiko came from the Korean Peninsula, steamed buns came from China and fishcakes (fried fish paste) came from Southeastern Asia. Foods which crossed the sea to Fukuoka were adapted to Japanese tastes and developed a new food culture. How do local people feel about ties to East Asia? TOKO, a Fukuoka-based essayist introduces us to new movements in Fukuoka. One of the new attempts is to present new fashion to Asia from Fukuoka. Every year, local designers participate in a fashion show called "Asian Collection". Seiji Amamoto, a designer who participated in the show, aims to introduce his brand, a collaboration of Fukuoka's traditional silk textile "Hakata-ori" and denim, to the Chinese market. Fukuoka has many foreign residents and there is a new attempt in the music field too. There is a group of Japanese and Chinese musicians who play their country's traditional folk instruments to create a new form of Asian music. At last, TOKO takes Vincent to the best spot for feeling "Asia". It's the food stalls called "Yatai", which can be seen in many other Asian countries. Fukuoka has the largest number of stalls in Japan, about 160. Here, Vincent experiences oddly cozy space where strangers can open up easily.