Newsletter Signup
Join Our Community!
Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive insights, and more.
Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive insights, and more.
To see how we may use your information, take a look at our privacy policy.
Fukuoka is a vibrant hub that blends history with innovation, drawing both domestic and international visitors for tourism and business. One of its top attractions, the Yanagawa River Cruise, offers a scenic boat ride through the historic city of Yanagawa, where visitors can learn about the area’s traditional culture from the boatmen. It's an excellent way to experience Fukuoka’s cultural charm.
Fukuoka's Nakasu Yatai Street is a lively nightlife area with over 120 food stalls offering a variety of dishes, from ramen to French cuisine. It’s a great spot to interact with locals and immerse in the city’s unique food culture. Nakasu plays a vital role in the local economy by supporting food tourism.
Fukuoka is also home to Fukuoka Growth Next, a startup support center that aids emerging businesses both locally and internationally. It serves as the core of the city’s startup ecosystem, offering programs that encourage innovation and contribute to economic growth.
By leveraging these regional assets, Fukuoka continues to promote its tourism industry while creating new business opportunities. As a city where tradition and modernity coexist, Fukuoka will keep captivating visitors with its enriching experiences.
Fukuoka City is rapidly emerging as a key player in Japan's startup ecosystem, attracting attention for its growth and business-friendly environment. With a growing population and affordable living costs, it offers an ideal setting for new businesses to flourish. In particular, Fukuoka is part of Japan's "Global Startup City" initiative, which provides active support and incentives for foreign entrepreneurs (source).
The city offers a wealth of resources and programs to support the establishment and growth of businesses, especially for foreign entrepreneurs. One such example is Fukuoka Growth Next, which provides infrastructure such as acceleration programs, office spaces, and funding support, playing a vital role in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Additionally, the Fukuoka City government offers visa support tailored for foreign entrepreneurs and has streamlined administrative procedures for startups (source).
Furthermore, Fukuoka’s strategic location provides easy access to the Asian market, making it an attractive base for global companies and investors. This favorable environment is particularly advantageous for startups looking to expand internationally. These factors combined have helped Fukuoka solidify its position as an appealing startup hub for entrepreneurs from both Japan and abroad (source).
.png)
To obtain a startup visa in Fukuoka City, foreign entrepreneurs need to follow the steps outlined below. This Designated Activities Visa is valid for up to one year, providing the time necessary to establish a business in Fukuoka.
First, you need to create and submit a New Business Implementation Plan to Fukuoka City. This plan outlines the necessary conditions for starting a business in Japan, such as setting up a business office, hiring full-time employees, or investing a minimum capital of 5,000,000 yen. Fukuoka City will review whether these goals can be achieved within a year. If approved, a New Business Implementation Confirmation document will be issued.
With the confirmation letter, you can then apply for the Designated Activities Visa at the Fukuoka Immigration Bureau. This visa will initially be issued for six months, and if your business progresses well, you can apply for a six-month extension.
Before the visa expires, you must report the progress of your business plan to Fukuoka City and submit a renewal application to extend your visa.
If you successfully establish your business and meet the necessary conditions within one year, you can transition to a Business Manager Visa. This allows you to continue running your business in Fukuoka for the long term.
Fukuoka City's Startup Cafe provides visa support, as well as business advice and networking opportunities, helping foreign entrepreneurs navigate the process and get their businesses off the ground smoothly. It was established to support individuals aspiring to start businesses and pursue entrepreneurship. Located in the Tenjin area of the city, it provides a range of services including co-working spaces, free consultations with experts, and hosting events. Within the facility, entrepreneurs can receive legal and marketing advice, and there is additional support for foreign entrepreneurs looking to settle in Fukuoka.
This cafe operates as part of Fukuoka Growth Next (FGN), which is part of the city's initiative to expand startup support. The Startup Cafe plays a key role in fostering open innovation and networking on a daily basis, contributing to the development of a vibrant business community in this regional city. Fukuoka City supports specific entrepreneurial activities aimed at revitalizing the local economy, and the Startup Cafe serves as an important hub for these efforts.
The facility also hosts weekly seminars and events, providing networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs and engineers. For more details and schedules, information is available on the official website of the Startup Cafe and the Fukuoka Growth Next (FGN) page.
Here’s the costs of living alone in Fukuoka City, based on data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' Consumer Price Regional Difference Index published in 2022.
Rent
The largest expense for living alone in Fukuoka City is rent. Rent in Fukuoka is slightly lower compared to cities like the 23 wards of Tokyo or Yokohama, and is closer to the national average. Rent for a typical one-room or 1K apartment in central areas such as Tenjin or Hakata ranges from ¥50,000 to ¥70,000 per month. As you move further into the suburbs, the rent becomes more affordable, with properties around ¥40,000 often available.
Food Costs
Food expenses in Fukuoka City are close to the national average. However, there are many reasonably priced and convenient options for eating out, making it possible to live relatively affordably by combining home-cooked meals with dining out. If you mostly cook at home, expect food costs to be around ¥20,000 to ¥30,000 per month. If you eat out more often, it could be between ¥30,000 to ¥40,000 a month.
Utilities
Utilities (electricity, gas, water, etc.) are almost on par with the national average. The cost can fluctuate depending on the season and your lifestyle, but for a single person, utility costs typically range from ¥5,000 to ¥8,000 per month. During the summer and winter months, when air conditioning and heating are used more, these costs may increase to around ¥10,000.
Transportation
Fukuoka City has an efficient public transportation system with subways and buses, making it easy to get around the city center. Transportation costs will depend on commuting distance and frequency, but it’s typically between ¥5,000 and ¥7,000 per month. The city center is also walkable, making it easier to travel by bicycle or on foot to keep transportation costs low.
Other Living Expenses
Living expenses also include daily necessities, communication fees, and entertainment. The cost of daily items is about the national average, and for communication expenses (smartphone and internet) and entertainment, you should budget around ¥15,000 to ¥20,000 a month.
Overall Living Expenses
Based on data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and general cost-of-living benchmarks, the total monthly cost of living in Fukuoka City, including rent, is typically around ¥100,000 to ¥130,000. This can vary depending on your lifestyle and where you live, but compared to other major cities, Fukuoka offers a relatively affordable cost of living.
Here are some useful tools and websites for foreigners looking for apartments or share houses in Fukuoka City. These platforms offer language support and are user-friendly for non-Japanese speakers.
By using these tools and websites, foreigners can easily search for apartments and share houses in Fukuoka. When selecting a property, be sure to check if it’s foreigner-friendly, whether it requires a guarantor, and if English-language support is available for a smoother experience.
.png)
%20(1)%EF%BC%88%E5%A4%A7%EF%BC%89.png)
.png)
