Nintendo's New Fukuoka Store Sparks Mixed Reactions

Nintendo has exciting news for fans in Japan: plans have been set 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 Japan, joining its counterparts in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. What sets Nintendo Fukuoka apart is its unique location on Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island, rather than on Honshu, the largest main island, where the other stores are situated. This new store will be nestled in Fukuoka City, offering a fresh destination for Nintendo enthusiasts.

The announcement of Nintendo Fukuoka's opening was met with a flurry of reactions on X, with many fans expressing their congratulations and hopes for more Nintendo stores across Japan. Some even speculated that Sapporo, the largest city on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, could be the next location for a Nintendo store. However, not all reactions were positive. A significant number of comments voiced disappointment over Nintendo seemingly bypassing Nagoya, a city located in central Japan and the capital of Aichi prefecture. Despite being Japan's fourth-largest city, Nagoya has a reputation for being "boring," a perception that was highlighted in a 2016 survey conducted by its own government. The survey, which asked residents to rank the attractiveness of Japan's eight biggest cities, saw Nagoya residents placing their city third, after Tokyo and Kyoto, showcasing a unique sense of local humility.

Nagoya's geographical position between Tokyo and Osaka has led to what locals call the "Nagoya Skip," a trend where events and tours often overlook the city. This phenomenon is even highlighted in the anime "Yatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikki." The concern over Nagoya being skipped by Nintendo comes at a time when the city is gaining attention for a new 17,000-person arena set to open in July, which local officials and media hope will help combat the "Nagoya skipping" trend (source: Chukyo TV).

Nintendo Fukuoka will be strategically located within a shopping mall at Hakata Station, Kyushu's largest railway hub. This location is not only connected by bullet train to Honshu but also by plane to Fukuoka Airport, making it an accessible destination for residents of surrounding prefectures and the increasing number of inbound tourists, particularly from South Korea, as reported by the Fukuoka Prefectural Government. With the lifting of pandemic restrictions, Fukuoka's tourism is on the rise, and Nintendo Fukuoka is poised to capitalize on this trend.

Nintendo's official stores are more than just retail spaces; they are vibrant hubs for gaming culture, selling everything from Switch consoles and games to accessories and exclusive merchandise. They also host events and offer hands-on previews of new titles, making them key locations for engaging with the Nintendo community. With the anticipated launch of the Switch 2, Nintendo Fukuoka is expected to play a significant role in promoting this new console and getting it into the hands of eager customers.

On the other side of the Pacific, Nintendo recently opened its first West Coast store in the U.S., Nintendo San Francisco. IGN provided an in-depth tour of the store and interviewed Nintendo of America's president, Doug Bowser, to offer insights into this new venture.