Jōnan-ku, Fukuoka explained

Jōnan
Official Name:Jōnan Ward
Native Name Lang:ja
Settlement Type:Ward
Pushpin Map:Japan
Pushpin Map Caption: 
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Japan
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Kyushu
Subdivision Type2:Prefecture
Subdivision Name2:Fukuoka
Subdivision Type3:City
Subdivision Name3:Fukuoka
Timezone1:Japan Standard Time
Utc Offset1:+9
Blank Name Sec1:City Symbols
Blank1 Name Sec1:- Tree
Blank2 Name Sec1:- Flower
Blank3 Name Sec1:- Bird

is one of the seven wards of Fukuoka City, Japan. As of November 1, 2004, it had a population of 128,057 people, making up 9.2% of Fukuoka City, with an area of 16.02 km2. At the time of Fukuoka City's official designation as a City in 1972, the area now known as Jōnan-ku was part of the larger ward of Nishi-ku. On May 1, 1982, Nishi-ku was subdivided into the three smaller wards of Nishi-ku, Sawara-ku and Jōnan-ku.

Located southwest of the downtown area of Tenjin, Jōnan-ku is a primarily residential area. Despite its proximity to downtown Fukuoka, Jōnan-ku has suffered from a lack of transport infrastructure, leading to congested roads and difficult access to the rest of the city. The Nanakuma Line of the Fukuoka Subway opened in 2005, improving traffic flow in the area.

Like most of Fukuoka City, the construction in Jōnan-ku is relatively recent, as the area consisted mostly of fields after World War 2, lacking even paved roads. The result has been a crowded jumble of roads, houses, apartment buildings and businesses, with no real centre to the ward. A few large parks help to create a peaceful atmosphere.

Jōnan-ku is home to Fukuoka University, whose students are everpresent during the school year and help support a growing number of local convenience stores. The St Sulpice Great Seminary of Fukuoka is another notable landmark, having been built in the 1950s and serving to train Japanese Catholic priests from Kyūshū.

Historical sites include Kikuchi Shrine and Yūsentei Park.

References

33.5758°N 130.37°W