ab: What was your reason for studying in Fukuoka?

When I was in high school, I became serious about studying physics. Gradually I started to think that it would be great if I could study in Japan where they have a large amount of research budgets for natural science. In the midst of this, I was given the opportunity to study in Japan and was accepted to a national university in Fukuoka. This is why I decided to start my life here, feeling blessed to get the opportunity to study abroad.

ab: How did you collect information about Fukuoka before coming here?

Besides following the news, I also heard stories from seniors at my cram school which specializes in studying in Japan. They gave examples about the most difficult things I might encounter with housing contracts, mobile phone contracts or obtaining credit cards. I was puzzled by the complexity of the procedures, but I was very grateful that my seniors had prepared me well and I did not encounter too many troubles once I was here.

ab: If you have any recommendations or insights about studying Japanese, please share them here!

In my case, I started studying Japanese in junior high school by watching the "Yu-Gi-Oh!" anime and reading sentences on the "Yu-Gi-Oh!' cards. Fortunately, in Japan, there are many possibilities now to study Japanese similar to this, when you have a hobby related to Japanese, I think you will be able to improve quickly.

ab: What is the food like at university? What is your favorite dish?

You can eat at the cafeteria twice a day, once at lunch time then at night. They offer discounts at a certain time of day and there is a wide variety of dishes available which are cheap and delicious. My favorite meal is karaage fried chicken curry. They also introduce new items weekly like Carbo-Katsu-don and chilled Zhajiangmian etc, so I go to university excited about what kind of dishes may be on the menu this week.

ab: What kind of room do you live in? (Room-share? Dormitory?)

At first I lived in a dormitory, but now I live in a rented apartment. It actually is a little bit big for a single person, but because the apartment is further away from university it is not that expensive.

ab: How much are your monthly living expenses?

Rent is 40,000 Yen, 25,000 Yen for food, utility bills are 8,000 Yen, 3,000 Yen for communication-services, other expenses 10,000 Yen (clothes, transportation, insurance etc.), so the total is about 90,000 Yen. Currently, I have two part-time jobs to cover my living expenses.

ab: Meals (What kind of food do you like to eat every day? Cooking for yourself? Buying food at convenience stores?)


I mainly eat lunch at the cafeteria, for dinner I usually warm up retort curries or when I do have some more time I cook for myself some simple dishes (spaghetti, fried rice, Dak galbi).

ab: When do you most feel like you are truly in Japan?

When I walk outside, down the road, I feel like I am in Japan. Another time is when I see people lining up neatly in front of shops and bus stops, even though it is very busy. Also when I see there is no rubbish on the streets.

ab: Which place did you like best in Fukuoka so far?

There is always a lot to see at LaLaport Fukuoka and I can do a lot of shopping there. It is a little far to walk from the station, but it is well worth it. Also interesting is watching the large-scale GUNDAM statue move some body parts with sound effects at a set time.

ab: Which places haven't you been to yet but would like to visit in Fukuoka?

Actually, I will leave Fukuoka next year to move to Tokyo for a new job, so I would like to make sure to visit Uminonakamichi Seaside Park before I leave. I have heard that there are many things to enjoy there along with beautiful scenery, I am really looking forward to it.

ab: Please share your favorite photo that you took in Fukuoka!

This is a photo of the large-scale GUNDAM statue that I took when I went to LaLaport Fukuoka. I am not really a big fan of GUNDAM, but seeing the giant GUNDAM statue in motion was very exciting and moving for me.