Nintendo's New Fukuoka Store Sparks Mixed Reactions

Nintendo has officially confirmed the opening of a brand-new flagship store in Fukuoka, Japan, set to debut by the end of 2025. This exciting development marks Nintendo’s fourth official retail location in the country, joining the already established Nintendo Tokyo, Nintendo Osaka, and Nintendo Kyoto. Notably, Nintendo Fukuoka will be the first of these stores located outside of Honshu—the largest and most populous island in Japan—making it a significant milestone for the company’s regional expansion strategy.

The new store is scheduled to open within a bustling shopping complex inside Hakata Station, Kyushu’s major transportation hub. With direct bullet train access to Honshu and close proximity to Fukuoka Airport, this location promises convenient access for both local residents and international tourists alike. As travel to Fukuoka continues to rebound post-pandemic—especially from nearby South Korea—the store is well-positioned to become a hotspot for Nintendo fans across the region.

Community Response on Social Media

News of Nintendo Fukuoka's upcoming launch was met with enthusiasm across Japanese social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). Fans expressed excitement over the possibility of more Nintendo stores opening nationwide in the future. Many users voiced hopes that Sapporo—Hokkaido’s largest city—could be next on the list, given its strategic location in northern Japan.

However, not all reactions were celebratory. A noticeable portion of commenters expressed disappointment that Nagoya had yet to be selected for an official Nintendo store. Despite being Japan’s fourth-largest city and a key industrial center, Nagoya has long been perceived as overlooked when it comes to major events and retail expansions—a sentiment often referred to as the “Nagoya skip.”

This phenomenon gained national attention back in 2016 when a survey conducted by Nagoya’s own government revealed that locals ranked their city third in attractiveness to travelers—placing behind only Tokyo and Kyoto. The irony wasn’t lost on observers, further fueling the stereotype that Nagoya lacks the cultural appeal of other major cities. Positioned between Tokyo and Osaka, Nagoya often gets bypassed by tour routes and event schedules, a trend humorously depicted in episodes of the anime *Yatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikki*.

Recent developments may signal a shift, though. A new 17,000-capacity arena is set to open in Nagoya this July, sparking optimism among city officials and media outlets—including Chukyo TV—that it could help reverse the “Nagoya skip” trend and attract more high-profile events in the future.

What to Expect from Nintendo Fukuoka

Like its counterparts in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, Nintendo Fukuoka will offer a full lineup of Switch consoles, games, accessories, and exclusive merchandise. Beyond retail, these stores serve as interactive hubs for gamers, regularly hosting special events, limited-time exhibitions, and early hands-on experiences with upcoming titles.

With Nintendo preparing for the release of the highly anticipated Switch 2, Nintendo Fukuoka is expected to play a pivotal role in expanding consumer access and awareness. Its central location within Kyushu makes it a natural draw for regional customers and tourists alike, reinforcing Nintendo’s commitment to growing its presence beyond traditional metropolitan centers.

Meanwhile, across the Pacific, Nintendo continues its global expansion efforts. Just last week, the company opened its first West Coast store in San Francisco. IGN had the opportunity to visit the new location and even sat down with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser for an exclusive interview, gaining insight into the company’s broader retail and product strategies moving forward.