Why Intern in Fukuoka? 10 Reasons That Will Convince You

In 1889, two cities sitting on the northern part of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands, were fused together to create what we now know as Fukuoka. Since then, the city has grown to become one of Japan’s most vibrant city. Continuously ranked amongst the most livable cities in the world, Fukuoka is loved by Japanese residents and foreign visitors alike for its relaxed atmosphere, friendly people, great food and bustling nightlife. And it’s the perfect spot for an internship in Japan.

Living as an intern in Japan will be a dream come true. SO much to see, eat, drink, and do!

Because of its proximity to South Korea, China, and Taiwan, Fukuoka is hailed as Japan’s gateway to Asia. In this context, the relatively new city has become a major economic hub, home to not only multinational corporations, but also vibrant startup companies across all industry sectors, making it the best internship destination in the Far East! Even more so, Kyushu’s largest city boasts an increasing population, while other cities struggle to attract new residents. Needless to say, if anything is happening, it’s happening in Fukuoka. With this, let’s introduce you to some of the many perks of internships in Fukuoka! 

10 reasons to find internships in Fukuoka

1. Experience Japan’s startup city

Fukuoka is the birthplace of the “Startup Visa,” a special visa for young foreign entrepreneurs to set up their innovative startups here. The city has slowly acquired the title of being an Asian Silicon Valley as it has partnered up and inspired the establishment of similar startup visas in Taiwan and Singapore. One reason is the cooperation between highly skilled Japanese and foreign entrepreneurs, combined with free consulting and tax support provided by Fukuoka City. In this context, the number of young talents working in Fukuoka too has exponentially increased whatever the industry. 

2. A wide variety of internship opportunities

Following an economic and cultural global shift from the “West” towards the “East,” an outstanding number of startups were born in Fukuoka and international companies across all industries have established their headquarters there. Therefore, many local companies are very open to host international students for internships and even hire them for full time positions. Popular internships in Fukuoka include Marketing or in a bank, for Japanese majors and more! In this context, networking seminars and workshops are frequently organized in the city, and will be a precious opportunity to grow your network and learn how Japanese people do business, in a way you would never be able to learn in your home country. 

If you want to satisfy your entrepreneurial itch during your internship in Japan, give Fukuoka a second look. This will be a very important move for your career, and will give you a competitive advantage on a global scale.

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Meet new coworkers turned besties turned adventure pals.

3. Most foreigner-friendly city

Being so close to the Asian mainland, Fukuoka was always a place of foreign trade and exchanges. Whereas you will sometimes be met with reluctance in some parts of Japan, the people in Fukuoka are very open towards foreigners. Canada Day party, German Oktoberfest, Belgian Beer day, African Culture Event, Indian Food Festival, Latin Dance Gatherings, French Wine Tastings and Italian Pizza Competitions…just to let you know we are still talking about Fukuoka. The abundance of international events and regular meetups will keep you busy on every day of the week. All in all, locals are very interested in foreign languages and cultures, which will give you a lot of opportunities to make new friends. Don’t be surprised if you happened to end up in a bar with a local because you asked for directions. 

4. Yummy food

Those who pursue internships in Fukuoka will enjoy one of the best food scenes in the country, with fresh and local products available all year round, but what makes it stand out is all the famous yatai (traditional food carts) lining up down the streets of the city nightly. The sunny port city hosts 70% of the yatai currently found in Japan. Most of them serve the local delicacy tonkotsu ramen (a very rich pork broth), but you can also find yatai that are specialized in yakitori (skewers of grilled chicken) and many other Japanese delights. As you take a seat amongst friendly locals and join their alcohol-fueled conversations, you will no longer doubt people warmth and kindness. In Fukuoka, you will be soon amongst friends! 

Warning; your biggest concern will not be about heading in the right direction, but rather picking a place to eat as Fukuoka actually has more restaurants per person than any other city in Japan! 

Meet your new favorite food—Japanese hot pot.

5. Crazy-fun nightlife

Fukuoka has the right spot for everybody. Roof cocktail bars, live music houses, famous nightclubs, yummy izakayas (Japanese pub) to make friends with the locals and of course British Pubs to meet & move to Fukuoka’s rhythm! Hakata is the business district and a good starter for your night. Hop on a five-minute subway ride to Tenjin, where the shopping meets bustling bars. Continue your night into Daimyo where many lively bars and lounges are waiting for you. If you like to dance and party hard, Oyafuko-Dori (literally translated “disobedient child street”) will become your favorite place.

Warning: Be prepared for some singing. You might end up in a Karaoke Party with the locals!

6. Surfing and hiking on the SAME DAY!

One drawback of the big Japanese cities in Japan is the concrete jungle for several hours drive. And yet, Japanese countryside is beautiful and relaxing, yet can become very soon boring. Can’t choose?—You don’t have to! Find internships in Fukuoka and gladly enjoy both; hiking in mountains and surfing at the beach, both reachable in about 30 minutes by bicycle from the city center! On top of that, the large green area, parks and rivers within the city, makes Fukuoka a prime example of how an eco friendly metropolis can function. It’s time for you to explore the hidden spots.

Get cultured during your internship in Japan

7. History-rich

Originally a base for contact with mainland Asia, northern Kyushu has a long history dating back as far as the Old Stone Age, accounting for the region numerous history-rich sightseeing spots. Even today, artefacts and vestiges from previous areas are excavated throughout Fukuoka and other parts of Kyushu. Ruins of the defensive walls against the Mongolian invasions still remain today and can be found along some of the city’s clean beaches. Other tangibles include Fukuoka castle ruins, Ohori Park, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Kyushu National Museum to list a few. The city is also home to many famous traditional festivals you do not want to miss, such as the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival and the Hakata Dontaku festival. If you’re looking to go deeper during your internship in Japan, Fukuoka is a great spot for history buffs.

8. Access to easy weekend trips overseas

Fukuoka’s geographical location makes it ideal for your base to explore other exciting destinations in Southeast Asia. How about a weekend trip to South Korea, Taiwan or Shanghai? Especially Busan, South Korea’s second largest city is just 30 minutes away by plane! Enjoy this intriguing port city with fresh seafood, beautiful beaches and an exciting nightlife. Don’t forget your passport and flip-flops before boarding the plane. 

9. Huge fashion & art scene

Many Westerners might not know it, but this city is a major spot for fashion and arts events for the whole of Southeast Asia. Recently several French and Italian designers have discovered this insider spot to introduce their new clothing brands to the Far East. A great transportation system paired with a vibrant international fashion scene has catapulted this place holding the most events in Japan after Tokyo and Osaka. Looks like the other cities have to watch out for this young and dynamic newcomer.

10. Very affordable living costs

Japan is often seen as an expensive tourist destination—and an internship in Japan can certainly cost quite a bit. Fukuoka will prove the opposite. Being the third largest student city is just one indicator why rents and living costs are so affordable. Just a third of living expenses for what you would pay in Tokyo. Further you can choose between the very cheap public transport or free bicycle rides which ensure that even poor international students have still enough money to enjoy all the social activities this Southern city has to offer.

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Become the next great karaoke star in the land of its birth!

Next steps to interning in Japan

Don't pack your chopsticks juuuust yet. There are a few items on your internship to do list you should check off first.

How to Intern in Japan in 5 easy steps

• Decide when to go. Give your calendar a good-hard look and figure out what time of year—and how long—you want to live in Fukuoka as an intern.
• What type of internship do you want? There are plenty of different types of internships to be had in Japan, it's just a matter of YOU deciding which field of study/experience you want to pursue. Popular fields include business and tech.
• Choose from the best intern abroad programs in Japan. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/job reputation, location, and your ease of getting settled. Some providers may even provide contact info for past interns if you want the REAL dirt. Here's more advice on how to find the perfect program provider for you. Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
• Plan your finances. Sort out your on-going funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge in travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Do your research to have an idea of how much your day-to-day life in Fukuoka will cost, and get to work on learning how to pay for your international internship.
• Get prepared. Preparing to intern abroad is as fun as it sounds. With the days til departure number dwindling and your excitement boiling, it can be easy to overlook the details. Lean on us to help guide you through your pre-departure process—that's what we're here for.

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Internships in Fukuoka are calling… 

We’re gunnin’ for you & your success in Japan!

If you find Tokyo too overwhelming—to say the least—then you will find life during internships in Fukuoka like a vacation. Large but of manageable size, the low-key city is not only a good hub to explore Kyushu and the rest of Japan but also a genuine gateway to Asia and beyond.

For all the reasons listed above and more, Japan’s Silicon Valley has attracted a tremendous number of international corporations and talented entrepreneurs. If you wish to expand your horizons, then interning in Fukuoka will be an invaluable and future-shaping experience. There is more left for you to uncover, so it’s time to start your journey towards your internship in Japan now!

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This article was contributed by the Meiji Academy. Meiji Academy is your Gateway to Japan, offering Japanese language courses in Fukuoka, as well as internships all over Japan. Let’s build your personal program NOW!