Nintendo's New Fukuoka Store Sparks Mixed Reactions

Nintendo has exciting news for fans in Japan: plans have been announced to open a new official store in Fukuoka at the end of 2025. Named Nintendo Fukuoka, it will be the company's fourth official store in the country, following the successful openings of Nintendo Tokyo, Nintendo Osaka, and Nintendo Kyoto. What sets Nintendo Fukuoka apart is its location on Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island, marking the first time a Nintendo store will be situated outside of Honshu, the largest main island.

The announcement on X triggered a wave of celebratory reactions from Japanese fans. Many expressed hope for more Nintendo stores to spread across the country, with some suggesting that Sapporo on the northernmost island of Hokkaido could be the next ideal location. However, not all reactions were positive; a significant number of commenters expressed disappointment over the apparent oversight of Nagoya. As the capital of Aichi prefecture and a major manufacturing hub, Nagoya is the fourth largest city in Japan. Despite this, it's often perceived as "boring," a sentiment highlighted in a 2016 survey where even its own residents ranked it third behind Tokyo and Kyoto. This survey, amusingly conducted by Nagoya's government, put the city's reputation in the spotlight.

Nagoya's geographical position between Tokyo and Osaka exacerbates the so-called "Nagoya Skip" phenomenon, where events and tours frequently bypass the city. This issue was humorously illustrated in the anime Yatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikki. The concern over Nagoya being skipped is further emphasized by recent developments, such as the upcoming opening of a new 17,000-person arena in July, which city officials and local news outlets hope will counter the "Nagoya skipping" trend (Chukyo TV).

Nintendo Fukuoka will be strategically located within a shopping mall at 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 convenient for residents of surrounding prefectures to visit and enjoy the latest Nintendo offerings. The store's opening comes at a time when inbound tourism to Fukuoka is on the rise, particularly from nearby South Korea, and is expected to grow further (Fukuoka Prefectural Government).

Nintendo's official stores are more than just retail spaces; they serve as interactive hubs where fans can purchase Switch consoles, games, accessories, and various merchandise, as well as participate in events and hands-on previews of new titles. With the anticipated launch of the Switch 2, Nintendo Fukuoka is poised to play a crucial role in promoting and introducing this new console to a broader audience.

In other Nintendo news, the company recently opened its first West Coast store in the U.S., Nintendo San Francisco. IGN had the opportunity to tour the store and interview Nintendo of America's president, Doug Bowser, to gain further insights into the company's expansion plans.