The Story of Fukuoka: A City with 2,000 Years of History

Fukuoka City has played a significant role throughout Japan’s history. While evidence shows that people inhabited the area as far back as 30,000 years ago during the Paleolithic Era, the city's story truly began about 2,000 years ago. From that time onward, Fukuoka has cultivated a rich culture and deep traditions. In this journey, we’ll explore the history of Fukuoka and uncover the story of this city with two millennia of heritage.

The Beginning: A City with 2,000 Years of History

Fukuoka’s history as a city began during the Yayoi Period. Villages started to form around 2,500 years ago, as evidenced by several ruins from that era. One notable site is the “Itazuke Ruins” a, which reveals a large moated village where many people gathered and lived. Paddy fields, among the first in Japan, were also developed here—marking the birthplace of rice cultivation, an essential part of Japanese life.

Bronze Culture

The Yayoi Period also saw the advent of metal use in Japan. The “Yoshitake-Takagi Ruins”, a site where numerous bronze artifacts from the mid-Yayoi Period were discovered, is an essential testament to this era. Excavations also unearthed the oldest royal tomb in Japan, highlighting the Fukuoka area's early prominence and advanced culture.

Nakoku’s Prosperity

In the 1st century, Nakoku, a kingdom located in the Fukuoka Plain, received the Golden Seal of the “King of Nakoku” from China’s Late Han Dynasty. This event is recorded in the ancient Japanese biography “Gishi Wajinden”. The seal’s discovery indicates that the people of Nakoku, who lived near modern-day Fukuoka, were active participants in international relations. Nakoku’s legacy is still visible in many historical artifacts found in Fukuoka City today.

The Age of Keyhole-Shaped Burial Mounds

In the late 3rd century, burial mounds such as the “Naka Hachiman Keyhole-Shaped Tumulus” began appearing in the region. These tombs, symbols of power, were adorned with triangular-rimmed mirrors depicting sacred beasts. By the Kofun Period (3rd–6th centuries), local ruling families (Gozoku) were buried in such elaborate tombs. The “Marukuma-yama Tumulus”, a massive 85-meter-long structure from the 5th century, stands as a striking example. Visitors can even see the horizontal stone chambers and stone coffins on site.

Dazaifu and Korokan

Fukuoka has long played an essential political and economic role in Japan. During the late 7th century, the “Dazaifu” was established as a central hub for Kyushu’s governance and a gateway for diplomacy and trade with the Asian continent.
Among its notable features was the “Korokan”, a diplomatic guesthouse on the Hakata Bay coast. Excavations at the site uncovered ceramics, glassware, and artifacts from China, Korea, and even Islamic regions, showcasing Fukuoka’s broad connections with Asia during that time.

From an International Trading City to Kyushu’s Political Center

From the late Heian to Kamakura periods, trade with the Song and Yuan dynasties of China flourished, with Hakata becoming the center of activity. Merchant families like the “Hakata Koshu” led this trade, supporting the construction of many Zen temples.

However, the 13th century brought the Mongol Invasions (Genko), where the Mongol Empire launched two failed invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281. The defensive Genko Fortifications, a 20-kilometer-long wall along Hakata Bay’s coast, remain visible today, offering a glimpse into the intense preparations of that era. Hakata also became the headquarters for the “Chinzei Tandai”, a military office overseeing Kyushu, further solidifying its political importance. As a result, Hakata became the political center of Kyushu and urban development progressed.

The Birth of the “Twin Cities”

During the Sengoku Period, Hakata was a battleground for rival feudal clans seeking economic control. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s conquest of Kyushu, he implemented a town reorganization known as “Taiko-cho-wari”. The town divisions laid the groundwork for the “Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival”, a summer tradition that continues today.

In 1600, Kuroda Nagamasa became the first lord of the Fukuoka domain after his victory at the Battle of Sekigahara. He built Fukuoka Castle and the surrounding castle town, attracting warriors and townspeople alike. This became the foundation of the current urban structure of Fukuoka City.

The city grew into a “twin city,” with the castle town of Fukuoka and the merchant town of Hakata coexisting as the domain’s economic and cultural hub. Hakata textiles and Hakata dolls, traditional crafts with their roots in the Edo period, have gained nationwide fame and their techniques have been handed down to the present day.

The Birth of Fukuoka City

In 1889, Fukuoka and Hakata merged into a single entity, Fukuoka City, as part of the Meiji government’s municipal reorganization. Over time, the city expanded with the integration of nearby towns and villages. The establishment of Kyushu Imperial University, the opening of Hakata Port, and the development of Hakata Station cemented Fukuoka’s status as Kyushu’s central city. After World War II, the city rapidly grew, securing official city status through a government ordinance in 1972 and starting work on a subway system in 1975. By 1975, the population of the city exceeded 1 million.

Modern Fukuoka: A City of Innovation

Fukuoka City, with its 2,000-year history, stands as a testament to the rich exchanges that have shaped its development. From ancient ruins to its modern cityscapes, Fukuoka harmoniously blends the old and the new. With cutting-edge technologies and businesses emerging alongside cultural treasures, Fukuoka continues to thrive as a city with a promising future.