Category:Fukuoka Prefecture

Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県) is located in northern Kyūshū, facing both the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea. As the historical gateway to the Asian continent, it has long been a center of international trade and cultural exchange.

The prefecture’s largest city, Fukuoka, is today a major urban hub known for its lively food culture and cosmopolitan atmosphere, while nearby Kitakyūshū developed as one of Japan’s first modern industrial cities.

Culturally, Fukuoka blends openness and vitality with deep-rooted traditions. It is home to famous festivals such as the Hakata Gion Yamakasa and is closely associated with crafts like Hakata-ori (richly patterned silk textiles), Koishiwara ware (pottery with distinctive brush and comb decoration), and a variety of folk crafts tied to everyday life.

Geographically, the prefecture combines bustling cities with fertile plains and mountain areas, making it both a modern center of innovation and a region with strong ties to its craft heritage.

Signature Crafts of Fukuoka Prefecture

• Hakata-ori (博多織) – elegant silk textiles with geometric patterns, historically prized by samurai.
• Koishiwara ware (小石原焼) – pottery decorated with combing and brushwork, part of everyday life in Kyūshū.
• Agano ware (上野焼) – ceramics influenced by Korean potters, known for delicate glazes.
• Local folk crafts – including Hakata ningyō (dolls) and bamboo work.