Nintendo's New Fukuoka Store Sparks Mixed Reactions

Nintendo has revealed ambitious plans to inaugurate a new official store in Fukuoka, Japan, by the end of 2025. Known as Nintendo Fukuoka, this will mark the company's fourth official retail space in Japan, alongside existing locations in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Unlike its predecessors, however, Nintendo Fukuoka will stand out as the first store not situated on Honshu, Japan's largest island. Instead, it will be nestled in bustling Fukuoka City, located on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's main islands.

The announcement has sparked a wave of reactions on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where users expressed excitement and hope for future Nintendo stores across Japan. Several commenters suggested that Sapporo, the prominent city in Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, could be the next ideal location for a Nintendo outlet.

Despite the positive feedback, disappointment arose among some quarters, particularly from residents of Nagoya. As Japan's fourth-largest city and a vital manufacturing center, Nagoya often finds itself overlooked due to its reputation as a less exciting destination. This perception was reinforced in a 2016 survey, where Nagoya residents surprisingly ranked their city third behind Tokyo and Kyoto. Additionally, Nagoya's geographical position—sandwiched between Tokyo and Osaka—often leads to it being bypassed during events and tours. Recent developments, such as the construction of a new 17,000-seat arena, aim to combat this trend and attract more attention to the city.

Nintendo Fukuoka will be strategically positioned within Hakata Station, Kyushu's largest railway hub, offering excellent connectivity via bullet trains to Honshu and flights to Fukuoka Airport. This location is expected to significantly enhance accessibility for residents in surrounding prefectures and international visitors, particularly from South Korea, whose numbers have steadily grown post-pandemic.

Official Nintendo stores serve multiple purposes beyond merchandise sales, hosting events and providing hands-on experiences with new game releases. Nintendo Fukuoka is anticipated to play a crucial role in promoting the upcoming Switch 2 model and expanding its customer base. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Nintendo recently opened its first West Coast store, Nintendo San Francisco, offering insights into the brand's evolving retail strategy.