Nintendo has revealed plans to launch a new official store in Fukuoka, Japan, by late 2025.

Nintendo Fukuoka will mark the company’s fourth official store in Japan, alongside Nintendo Tokyo, Nintendo Osaka, and Nintendo Kyoto. Unlike its predecessors, this store will be the first outside Honshu, situated in Fukuoka City on Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island.

Japanese reactions to the announcement of Nintendo Fukuoka’s opening on X included widespread enthusiasm, with many expressing hopes for more official Nintendo stores across the country. Several users suggested Sapporo, the largest city on Hokkaido, as a prime candidate for the next store.

However, not all feedback was positive. Many expressed disappointment over Nintendo bypassing Nagoya, a major city in central Japan and the capital of Aichi prefecture, known for its manufacturing prowess. Despite being Japan’s fourth-largest city, Nagoya battles a reputation for being “dull.” This perception gained attention in a 2016 survey of Japan’s eight largest cities, where residents ranked their city’s appeal to tourists. Most cities’ residents rated their own as the top destination, but Nagoya’s locals ranked it third, behind Tokyo and Kyoto, in a survey conducted by Nagoya’s own government.

Nagoya’s location between Tokyo and Osaka often leads to it being overlooked for events and tours. A clip from the anime Yatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikki highlights this “Nagoya Skip” trend in detail.

The "Nagoya Skip": When your city gets skipped over [Yatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikki]
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The “Nagoya Skip” phenomenon is keenly felt by locals, likely fueling the outcry over Nintendo’s decision to skip the city for a store. Recently, Nagoya has been in the spotlight with a new 17,000-seat arena set to open in July, with city officials and Chukyo TV expressing optimism that it will counter the city’s tendency to be overlooked.

Nintendo Fukuoka will be situated in a shopping mall at Hakata Station, Kyushu’s largest railway hub, connected by bullet train to Honshu and by air to Fukuoka Airport. This prime location will make it easier for residents of surrounding prefectures to access Nintendo products. Fukuoka has also seen a surge in international tourists, particularly from South Korea, since pandemic restrictions eased, with further growth expected, according to the Fukuoka Prefectural Government.

Nintendo’s official stores offer Switch consoles, games, accessories, and a wide range of merchandise, while also hosting events and hands-on previews for new titles. Nintendo Fukuoka is expected to play a key role in promoting the anticipated Switch 2, bringing it to a broader audience.

In the U.S., Nintendo recently opened its first West Coast store, Nintendo San Francisco. IGN toured the location and spoke with Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser for further insights.