Fukuoka's location in Fukuoka, Japan. Location Country Japan Region Kyushu Prefecture Fukuoka Physical characteristics Area 340.03 km? (131.3 sq mi) Population (as of 2007)      Total 1,422,836      Density 4,061/km? (10,517.9/sq mi) Location 33°35'N 130°24'E? / ?33.583, 130.4Coordinates: 33°35'N 130°24'E? / ?33.583, 130.4 Symbols Tree Camphor laurel Flower Camellia Bird Black-headed Gull Fukuoka Government Office Mayor Hiroshi Yoshida Address ?810-8620 1-8-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken Phone number 092-711-4111 Official website: Fukuoka City This article is about a city in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. For other uses, see Fukuoka (disambiguation). Fukuoka (???, Fukuoka-shi?) is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture and is situated on the northern shore of the island of Kyushu in Japan, across the Tsushima Strait from South Korea's Busan. It is the most populous city in Kyushu, followed by Kitakyushu. It is the largest city and metropolitan area west of Osaka. The city was designated on April 1, 1972 by government ordinance. Greater Fukuoka (?????) with 2.5 million people (2005 Census), is part of the heavily industrialized North Kyushu zone.

View of downtown Fukuoka as seen from an observation deck in Minami-ku, facing north. Fukuoka is served by Fukuoka Airport, the Sanyo Shinkansen high speed rail line at Hakata Station and by ferry. JR Kyushu operates a hydrofoil between Hakata and Busan, South Korea. The subway opened a new line, the Nanakuma line, on February 2, 2005. Fukuoka has produced a higher number of successful music artists than any other city in Japan. Big names in J-pop include Ayumi Hamasaki (allegedly Japan's richest woman), hugely popular singer/songwriter duo Chage & Aska, Misia and Yui. During the 1970s, local musicians prided themselves on their origins and dubbed their sound, Mentai Rock. In recent years, the music scene has been rejuvenated by the willingness of local players to perform with foreign musicians located in the area. These hybrid bands include the likes of Fever, Cut Flowers, Dr. Funkinstein, F8 & The Routes.