Nintendo has exciting news for fans in Japan, announcing the opening of a new official store, Nintendo Fukuoka, slated for the end of 2025. This store marks the company's fourth in Japan, following successful locations in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. What sets Nintendo Fukuoka apart is its unique location on Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island, specifically in Fukuoka City, diverging from the other stores situated on the main island of Honshu.
The announcement on X sparked a wave of congratulatory messages from Japanese fans, who expressed their enthusiasm and hopes for more Nintendo stores across the country. 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 commenters expressed disappointment over Nintendo seemingly bypassing Nagoya, a central Japanese city and the capital of Aichi Prefecture. Known as a major manufacturing hub and the fourth-largest city in Japan, Nagoya has been grappling with a reputation for being "boring." This perception was highlighted in a 2016 survey commissioned by Nagoya's government, where residents ranked their city third in attractiveness behind Tokyo and Kyoto, showcasing a unique case of self-deprecation.
Nagoya's location between Tokyo and Osaka often results in it being overlooked for events and tours, a phenomenon humorously dubbed "Nagoya skipping" and further illustrated in the anime "Yatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikki." The frustration over this trend was palpable in the comments, especially given recent developments in Nagoya, such as the upcoming opening of a 17,000-person arena in July, which local officials hope will boost the city's appeal (source: Chukyo TV).
Nintendo Fukuoka will be strategically placed within a shopping mall at Hakata Station, Kyushu's largest railway hub. This prime location, connected by bullet train to Honshu and by plane to Fukuoka Airport, promises easy access for residents from surrounding prefectures and an increasing number of tourists, particularly from nearby South Korea, since the lifting of pandemic restrictions (source: Fukuoka Prefectural Government).
Nintendo's official stores are more than just retail spaces; they are vibrant hubs for gaming culture, offering Switch consoles, games, accessories, and a variety of Nintendo merchandise. These stores also host events and hands-on previews of new titles. With the anticipated launch of the Switch 2 on the horizon, Nintendo Fukuoka is poised to play a significant role in promoting and distributing this next-generation console.
In the U.S., Nintendo recently expanded its footprint by opening its first West Coast store, Nintendo San Francisco. IGN had the opportunity to tour the store and even interviewed Nintendo of America's president, Doug Bowser, to gain insights into this new venture.
