Nintendo's Fukuoka Store Opening Stirs Excitement and Debate

Nintendo has revealed plans to launch a new official store in Fukuoka, Japan, by late 2025.

Nintendo Fukuoka will mark the company’s fourth official store in Japan, alongside Nintendo Tokyo, Nintendo Osaka, and Nintendo Kyoto. Unlike its predecessors, this store is the first to be situated off Honshu, Japan’s largest island, and will instead open in Fukuoka City on Kyushu, the country’s southernmost main island.

Japanese reactions to the announcement of Nintendo Fukuoka’s opening on X included widespread enthusiasm and hopes for more official Nintendo stores across Japan. Many suggested Sapporo, the largest city on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, as a prime candidate for the next store.

However, not all feedback was positive. Many expressed disappointment over Nintendo bypassing Nagoya, a major city in central Japan and the capital of Aichi prefecture, known for its manufacturing prowess. Despite being Japan’s fourth-largest city, Nagoya carries a reputation for being “dull.” This perception gained traction in a 2016 survey of Japan’s eight largest cities, where residents ranked their cities’ appeal to tourists. Most cities’ residents rated their own as the best, but Nagoya’s locals ranked it third behind Tokyo and Kyoto, in a survey conducted by Nagoya’s own government.

Nagoya’s location between Tokyo and Osaka often leads to it being overlooked for events and tours. A clip from the anime Yatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikke elaborates on this trend.

The "Nagoya Skip": When your city gets skipped over [Yatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikki]
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The “Nagoya skip” phenomenon is something locals are keenly aware of, likely fueling the numerous comments expressing concern over Nintendo’s decision to skip the city. Meanwhile, Nagoya has recently made headlines with a new 17,000-seat arena opening in July, with city officials and Chukyo TV expressing hope that it will curb the “Nagoya skip” trend.

Nintendo Fukuoka will be housed in a shopping mall within Hakata Station, Kyushu’s largest railway hub, connected by bullet train to Honshu and by plane to Fukuoka Airport. This prime location will make it easier for residents of nearby prefectures to access Nintendo products. Fukuoka has also seen a surge in international tourists, particularly from South Korea, since pandemic restrictions eased, with numbers expected to grow further, according to the Fukuoka Prefectural Government.

Nintendo’s official stores offer Switch consoles, games, accessories, and a range of merchandise, while also hosting events and hands-on demos for new titles. Nintendo Fukuoka is expected to play a key role in promoting the upcoming Switch 2, bringing it to a wider audience.

In the U.S., Nintendo recently opened its first West Coast store, Nintendo San Francisco. IGN toured the store and spoke with Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser for more details.