Nintendo to Open New Official Store in Fukuoka, Japan — but Not Everyone Is Happy With This Choice

Nintendo has announced the launch of a brand-new official store in Fukuoka, Japan, set to open by the end of 2025.

The upcoming Nintendo Fukuoka will become the company’s fourth official retail location in the country, joining the existing stores in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Notably, Nintendo Fukuoka marks the first official store located outside of Honshu—the largest and most populous island in Japan. Instead, it will be situated in Fukuoka City on Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island.

News of the new store was warmly received across Japanese social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where users shared congratulatory messages and expressed hope for future Nintendo store expansions across the nation. Many commenters voiced the belief that Sapporo—Hokkaido's capital and Japan’s northernmost major city—would be a natural next step for Nintendo’s physical retail growth.

However, not all reactions were celebratory. A significant number of users expressed disappointment that Nagoya had been overlooked. As the capital of Aichi Prefecture and a key industrial center, Nagoya holds the distinction of being Japan’s fourth-largest city. Yet, it carries a reputation—fair or not—as being “boring.” This image gained attention in 2016 when a survey conducted by the city government itself revealed an unusual trend: while residents of most major cities ranked their hometown as the most attractive to tourists, Nagoya locals placed theirs third behind Tokyo and Kyoto.

Compounding this perception is the so-called "Nagoya Skip"—a recurring pattern where events, concerts, and commercial developments bypass Nagoya despite its size and central location between Tokyo and Osaka. This phenomenon was humorously highlighted in an episode of the anime Yatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikki, which poked fun at the city’s tendency to be excluded from national tours and initiatives.

Interestingly, Nagoya has recently made headlines for more positive reasons. A brand-new arena with a capacity of 17,000 people is scheduled to open in July 2025. Local officials and media outlets—including Chukyo TV—have expressed optimism that this development could help combat the longstanding issue of "Nagoya skipping."

Back to Nintendo Fukuoka: the new store will be housed within a shopping complex inside Hakata Station, Kyushu’s largest and busiest railway hub. The station offers seamless bullet train access to Honshu and is directly connected to Fukuoka Airport, making it a prime location for both local and international visitors. With increased tourism returning post-pandemic—particularly from South Korea—the store is expected to draw large crowds and serve as a gateway for regional gamers to experience Nintendo products firsthand.

Nintendo’s official stores are more than just retail spaces; they host special events, game demonstrations, and exclusive merchandise releases. Given its strategic position, Nintendo Fukuoka is likely to play a pivotal role in promoting the highly anticipated Switch 2 console, bringing early experiences and exclusive content directly to consumers.

Meanwhile, in the United States, Nintendo continues its global expansion with the recent opening of its first West Coast store in San Francisco. IGN visited the site and even spoke with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser to learn more about the company’s evolving retail strategy.