Fukuoka voted best city in world for shopping

Wednesday 25th June, 01:05 PM JST

LONDON —

Fukuoka has been voted the best city in the world for shopping and one of the most ‘‘liveable’’ locations, according to a survey by a leading international culture and design magazine.

The latest edition of the London-based Monocle also ranks Tokyo as the third most ‘‘liveable’’ city in the world, behind Copenhagen in first place and Munich in second. Fukuoka ranks in 14th place and Kyoto at 20th in a shortlist of 25. New York and London are not included in the quality-of-life ranking and Japan and Germany have the most cities—three each—in the list.

The magazine assessed cities according to a large variety of criteria such as urban planning, transport connections, crime rates and environmental initiatives. But it also took into consideration a whole host of less obvious factors, like how many cinema screens are on offer and how easy it would be to hop on a bike in this city. Fukuoka also picked up the award for ‘‘best retail city’’ in the shortlist. The magazine said, ‘‘It has all the advantages of a big city—excellent shopping, outstanding food, good transport links—with all the cosiness of a smaller, provincial town.

‘‘Friendly, safe and clean, its proximity to East Asia—Shanghai is closer than Tokyo—Fukuoka is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Japan,’’ the magazine said. In terms of ‘‘Monocle Fix’‘, the magazine would like to see a route to the West Coast of the United States.

The magazine said the compact shopping district of Tenjin in downtown Fukuoka features all the big labels and attracts visitors from South Korea and China.

Tokyo came third in this year’s list, moving up one place. Monocle commented that whilst it is a big city with no obvious center, it gets the basics right.

‘‘Public transport runs with digital precision, people are mindful of others, and the crime rate is low. Japan’s deep-seated conservatism is slowly giving way to a new generation of well-traveled, job-hopping twenty and thirtysomethings who are changing Tokyo, challenging stereotypes and creating an even more dynamic city.’’ In terms of ‘‘fixes’‘, it is suggested that Tokyo invests in some more cycle lanes.

Kyoto comes in at 20th place, down from 14th last year. Monocle claims that despite its historic image, the city plays host to some of the most forward-thinking firms in Japan and also has a thriving cultural and entertainment scene.

‘‘As one would expect, the home of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change is taking the lead on environmental issues too. Since introducing buses to Japan about 100 years ago, Kyoto’s public transport system has grown into one of the best in the nation, with a reach that sees every one of its 25,000 local government workers use subway, trains, buses and trams to travel to and from work,’’ the magazine comments.

In terms of improving the city, Monocle suggests a simpler address system—Kyoto has few street names and the way of writing addresses even confuses locals.

Monocle’s panel of experts from around the world came up with the list of 25 by looking at the top 20 cities from last year and taking into consideration a further 30 cities for this year.

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Latest 15 of 49 Total Comments Show All

westurn at 01:22 AM JST - 26th June

"Got any proof?"

Ever hear of the internet ? Google it up homz !
Xennon at 02:45 AM JST - 26th June

Westurn,

Sorry lil' guy. I did my research for the day to make my proof. Why don't you do the same to refute me? I will be glad to step down after you have done so. Until then, everybody knows you are just spreading lies (note the bandwagoning which you are so good at buddy). /wink
Sarge at 10:50 AM JST - 26th June

These people have obviously never been to Boise, Idaho, USA!
LFRAgain at 04:58 PM JST - 26th June

Westurn,

"Homz" "Mate" You're a walking poster for globalization. But seriously, yan, you need to to get out of the house a bit if you think Fukuoka is a dump. Fukuoka beats out almost every "top" city in the US in terms of liveability, from ease of getting around town, to shopping, to safety. You speak of what you do not know, clearly.
Sarge at 05:42 PM JST - 26th June

Fukuoka's definitely the best city for yatai, but for living, it can't touch Boise, Idaho!
rurika at 07:06 PM JST - 26th June

These surveys don't reflect what it's like to live somewhere as a non-local or a second & third generation immigrant. If you look at the european cities with high scores, a caucasian person may have a great quality of life compared to an african or middle-eastern immigrant. A city may have a great public transport system, but what if people insult you or spit on you when you use it? Sadly I've seen it happen.

It's the same with Japan. Unless they measure something like 'how are foreigners and immigrants treated', livability doesn't mean much.

Fukuoka is a lovely place but I still prefer Osaka, which is the most foreigner-friendly city in Japan IMO.
westurn at 01:04 AM JST - 27th June

Actually Sarge you are close..."for living, it can't touch Boise, Idaho!"

Boise is a beautiful city and recently ranked #2 in the US just behind Portland Oregon, both of which, btw, blow the dirt, grime, and stench of Fukuoka completely out of the water ! Xennon... you need to get off this crappy little island and expand your horizons ! Since when has Fukuoka been seriously considered to be one of the worlds great cities ??? Cause some Euro rag says so ? Bwahaha !

And lfragain... getting around town ? Some US cities have great "light rail" systems ! Get educated fer cripes sake ! Shopping ? I'll take the Woodburn outlet malls over "anything" Fukuoka has to offer ! Safety ??? Isn't Fukuoka a hot bed for organized crime, notorious for it's P.O.W. camps and wasn't the place just in the news for 4 guys stealing a police officers badge ? I can honestly say my US residence has never seen such lawlessness. No murders, no rapes, no burglaries ! Just the ocassional wildfire (lightning) and automobile hits deer story ! LFRAgain... get out of the house more often. There are thusands of places around the planet with lower crime rates that Japan and especially Fukuoka ! BTW... what's the price of butter in Fukuoka ? Bwahahaha !
rajakumar at 02:15 AM JST - 27th June

Way to go Fukuoka/japan.
pizzaboy at 10:11 PM JST - 27th June

westurn is showing the typically american bravado, ignorance, chest thumping etc, and the hilarious thing is that they aren't even aware of it. Canadian cities destroy american ones, and that's not opinion, it's fact, look dat up homz!
knucklerap at 05:07 PM JST - 28th June

**

Are you kidding me? Fukuoka is a DUMP! Once the lights go on at night, the true dregs of society start crawling out of the woodwork!

Yes, remember when those 25-30 scooter riders in baggy pants beat those Marines up in Tenjin. It's also certainly the double-parking capital of the world.

As for the shops, nothing but Starbucks everywhere, overpriced Japanese style clothing shops, pretentious people walking around as if the world revolves around them, and not a damn thing worth buying in any of the stores!!

Some of my students go to Starbucks twice a day to be seen. It is a fashion-conscious town. The "wannabe catwalk models" walk around with their noses up in the air, but most dress like horse's ass#s. I never buy anything in the shops. Internet shopping is the way to go.
knucklerap at 05:13 PM JST - 28th June

It can't touch Boise, Idaho

I hear Boise is heaven on earth and I can imagine the home prices are very reasonable.

I also hear Vancouver makes Seattle look like a podunk town. Wouldn't mind going there someday if it weren't for the people.

Minneapolis is the place to go if you are a golfer. More courses per capita than any place in the world.

For Japan, Fukuoka is okay, but I would prefer a place having four seasons. Now that winters are getting shorter, expect more and more to pack their bags for Sapporo.
westurn at 12:30 PM JST - 2nd July

"I also hear Vancouver makes Seattle look like a podunk town. Wouldn't mind going there someday if it weren't for the people."

Ouch !

Not only the people though knucklerap. Vancouver is so dark and gloomy most of the year that it has suicide rates that elevate the nation of Canada to the 40th position of the worlds highest suicides... the USA at 43. (World Health Organization) Must be all that chest thumping, ignorance and bravado many of us witness here at JT. Sorry, but Fukuoka remains just another big dirty city in Japan as I mentioned before. Consumer products are so outlandishly overpriced that the average visitor from overseas just laughs and moves on... usually to Thailand or some other more "reasonable and enjoyable" nation where the people smile and enjoy their life. Japan is gloomy and full of mental angst, not really the combination of traits outsiders look for when planning their next vacation.
LFRAgain at 04:16 PM JST - 2nd July

As for the shops, nothing but Starbucks everywhere, overpriced Japanese style clothing shops, pretentious people walking around as if the world revolves around them, and not a damn thing worth buying in any of the stores!!

No kidding! People have been saying this about Seattle for years. You'd think they'd take it to heart by now. Must be all the rain.

Consumer products are so outlandishly overpriced that the average visitor from overseas just laughs and moves on... usually to Thailand or some other more "reasonable and enjoyable" nation

If by "reasonable and enjoyable" you mean "manufactured with child labor, at below-poverty wages, in abysmal squalor" then yeah, I suppose Thailand is simply a swell place. In the meantime, those "outlandishly overpriced" goods you whine about aren't that far removed from the prices you'll find in any major mall in America AND help sustain an employment rate of 3.9% that surpasses that of most major industrial nations, including the US (4.6%). WITH liveable salaries to boot.

Moderator: Readers, the subject is Fukuoka. Posts that do not refer to it will be removed.
westurn at 05:03 PM JST - 2nd July

LFRAgain... get real !

"If by "reasonable and enjoyable" you mean "manufactured with child labor, at below-poverty wages, in abysmal squalor" then yeah, I suppose..."

Japan is the home of the "working poor, Freetas, and volunteer overtimers" my friend.

"In the meantime, those "outlandishly overpriced" goods you whine about aren't that far removed from the prices you'll find in any major mall in America"

Hogwash ! I was just there ! Business slacks, suits, neckties, shoes etc are at prices lower than what I paid in the 1980's ! Computers ? I don't see Nippon advertising anything under $1,000 US ! I could pick up 2 computers for that price in the states ! Sporting equipment, recreational goods ? Movie tickets ? All at 1/2 the price you find in Japan. Yo, check out the latest NFL magazine season guides... almost $20 !!! Shocking !

Sorry, Fukuoka remains at the bottom of my itinerary list of places to see. I'd rather go to Shanghai... and get an ice cold beer for 75% less than what you'd pay in some snooty joint in "upscale" Fukuoka ! Bwahaha !
jeffrey at 04:29 AM JST - 29th July

knucklerap at 05:13 PM JST - 28th June I hear Boise is heaven on earth and I can imagine the home prices are very reasonable.

Boise's hotter than hell in the summer (100-plus there today) and isn't even the best city in Idaho let alone in the top ten in the U.S. Couer d'Alene and Sandpoint are both lake side and have great skiing within 30 minutes drive. But then none of them can be considered big cities like Fukuoka let alone Tokyo. Hell more people live in King County (Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond) than all of Idaho. And Boise, though it's gotten better, is still pretty redneck.

I also hear Vancouver makes Seattle look like a podunk town. Wouldn't mind going there someday if it weren't for the people.

Seattle is home, but Vancouver is probably the best city in North American. It is certainly has the most picturesque setting and is only about 90 minutes away from the largest ski area on the continent.

Minneapolis is the place to go if you are a golfer. More courses per capita than any place in the world.

No. That would be Bend, OR. Why? you ask. Because it's not Florida or a soulless hell hole like Arizona. Being high desert it has a much better climate than anywhere in the Midwest. And (yes, this is important) there is a incredible skiing just 30 minutes away, the Deschutes River runs through the middle of town, great biking, etc., etc.

For Japan, Fukuoka is okay, but I would prefer a place having four seasons. Now that winters are getting shorter, expect more and more to pack their bags for Sapporo.

Though having soft spots for Nagoya (boku no kuni), Tokyo and Kyoto, Sapporo is nice. No tsuyu, no typhoons, real winters, the best summer weather with twilight, and Sapporo, being the only game on the island, is a great city in its own right. Oh, and I think I've heard that there is pretty good skiing on Hokkaido.