Fukuoka is renowned as a "treasure trove of food." Fresh seafood is harvested from the surrounding Genkai Sea, Hibikinada Sea, Suo-Nada Sea, and Ariake Sea. The inland plains and mountainous areas are also rich in mountain produce, from Amaou strawberries and other fruits like mandarin oranges and figs to vegetables like asparagus and kaiware, rice, and Yame tea.

While blessed with abundant nature from the sea, mountains, and rivers, Fukuoka's proximity to urban areas is also a unique feature. Fukuoka Airport, the gateway to Kyushu, is just a five-minute subway ride from Hakata Station, making it one of its attractions. Nokonoshima, located in Hakata Bay, is a beautiful island just a 10-minute boat ride away from Tenjin, yet offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. For these reasons, Fukuoka was ranked 12th in the 2015 "World's 25 Most Livable Cities" ranking published by British magazine Monocle, demonstrating its global recognition as a livable city.

My journey began when I heard about a place in Fukuoka called Itoshima that was gaining a lot of attention. Itoshima City is a 30-40 minute drive from Hakata, Fukuoka City, and offers beautiful ocean and mountain views. In recent years, the city has seen an increase in both tourists and immigrants, leading to a proliferation of bakeries, cafes, restaurants, and other shops.

Fermentation designer Hiraku Ogura accompanied me on this "journey to get to know Fukuoka." One of the things that surprised me along the way was that after visiting the originally planned locations, we received introductions and introductions, and before I knew it, the number of locations we had covered had nearly doubled. Ogura, whose maternal roots lie in Kitakyushu and who knows Fukuoka well, explains, "That's the kind of town Fukuoka is." This trip truly owes me a lot to Ogura and everyone else who helped set the scene.

So, what we bring you today is two features: "Feature 1: Life in Fukuoka," which introduces designers, companies, and shops based in Fukuoka, and "Feature 2: Fermentation Glasses," in which Ogura explores Takarajima Dyeing, one of the places they visit, from the perspective of fermentation. Please enjoy these two features.

【Feature 1: Life in Fukuoka: Table of Contents】

1. Spoonful THE BAGEL, a bakery in Itoshima
2. HEY&Ho., a Hasami ware shop in Itoshima
3. Makumo, a textile designer based in Itoshima
4. 5. Unagi no Nedoko, a local antenna shop in Yame
5. Shimokawa Orimono, the weaver of Kurume Kasuri, a traditional Japanese craft textile
6. Takarajima Dyeing, a dyeing factory in Mizuma that uses only natural dyes
7. The "Indigo Sharing Blue" project by four Dutch artists who met at Takarajima Dyeing
8. Rethink Books, a new bookstore in Tenjin based on the concept of "Rethink"

【Feature 2: Fermentation Glasses: Table of Contents】

1. The unknown relationship between indigo dyeing and fermentation!? (Navigator: Ogura Hiraku)