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Fukuoka Airport 2024 Guide: Access, Restaurants, Shopping, and More
Fukuoka Airport, the largest international airport in Kyushu, can be reached in just 6 minutes by subway from Hakata Station! Fukuoka Airport guide explains the services available at the domestic and international terminals, including restaurants, shops, and transportation between terminals.
Fukuoka Airport is the largest international airport in Kyushu. Read on to learn how to reach central Fukuoka and Hakata Station from the airport, along with information on restaurants and shopping facilities.
Fukuoka Airport Guide
1. Major Features of Fukuoka Airport
2. Domestic Terminal
3. Restaurants in the Domestic Terminal
4. International Terminal
5. Access Guide to Fukuoka Airport
6. Shopping Malls Near Fukuoka Airport
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Major Features of Fukuoka Airport
Fukuoka Airport is the largest international airport in the Kyushu region of Japan. Among domestic routes in Japan, the Fukuoka to Haneda route is the fourth busiest domestic flight in the world.
It also connects to large airports in other prefectures and cities across Japan. For international flights, the focus is primarily on East Asia routes to South Korea, Taiwan, and China, as well as Southeast Asia routes to Vietnam and Thailand.
Its most notable feature is its central location within Fukuoka City. It takes only a 6-minute subway ride to reach Hakata, Fukuoka's central station, and the surrounding highway network is well-developed, making it extremely convenient for transportation.
Domestic Terminal
As soon as you exit from the subway at Fukuoka Airport Station, you'll find the Domestic Terminal right in front of you.
The Domestic Terminal offers the most services, so let me introduce the places where you can buy souvenirs and enjoy the local food that Fukuoka is famous for.
Check-in Counters
On the first floor of the Domestic Terminal, you'll find check-in counters for major airlines, as well as travel agency desks and information counters.
Right outside the terminal are the bus stops for the shuttle to the International Terminal, express buses, and taxis, making it quite straightforward.
Nishitetsu City Bus and Highway Bus Ticket Office
The Nishitetsu City Bus and Highway Bus Ticket Office is located in the corner of the terminal where you can purchase bus tickets. The boarding area is conveniently located right outside the ticket office.
Official website: https://www.fukuoka-airport.jp/en/access/bus.html
Souvenir Shop SORAE
The airport souvenir shop SORAE is the last stop for many domestic travelers looking to buy Fukuoka souvenirs.
Here, you can find famous items such as Hakata Torimon, mentaiko roe, and Hakata no Onna, as well as souvenirs from other regions of Japan and cities in Kyushu. It's definitely worth a visit for travelers to do some last-minute shopping.
Observation Deck
On the fourth floor of the Domestic Terminal, there is a spacious observation deck where you can enjoy watching planes take off and land. Fukuoka Airport experiences a high frequency of flights with only one runway, making it an excellent spot for aviation enthusiasts to appreciate the action.
Restaurants in the Fukuoka Airport Domestic Terminal
You can savor Fukuoka’s culinary delights right in the Domestic Terminal, with a wide variety of options available, including pork intestine hot pot, tonkotsu ramen, matcha, udon noodles, coffee, and more.
RED BROOKLYN
The café and light meal spot RED BROOKLYN provides a relaxing space for travelers, featuring stylish decor and a modern appearance. In addition to ramen, it offers generous-sized burgers, giving travelers more dining options.
Hakata Motsunabe Oyama: Beef Intestine Hot Pot
The renowned Hakata beef intestine hot pot restaurant, Oyama, also has a branch in the airport. If you're looking to savor the deliciousness of beef intestine hot pot one last time before your flight, this is your best choice.
All the Famous Fukuoka Ramen Shops Come Together!
The third floor of the airport is a ramen battleground featuring famous Hakata ramen shops. Each ramen shop offers its own unique specialties, allowing travelers to enjoy the classic flavors of Fukuoka right up until they pass through customs.
Hakata Ikkosha
One of the famous ramen shops here is Hakata Ikkosha, known for its rich, creamy tonkotsu ramen. With its thick broth and sweetness, it stands out among Hakata ramen shops and has garnered many loyal fans.
International Terminal
You can reach the International Terminal by taking the connecting bus, which is a must for travelers flying to and from international destinations.
Those arriving at Fukuoka Airport's International Terminal are not limited to just Kyushu; it covers a range that includes Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tottori, Shikoku, and the broader Kyushu region, making it the airport with the most international routes west of Kansai Airport.
Check-in Counters
The bright and somewhat high-tech space is where your international journey begins, whether you are departing or returning. After checking in here, you’ll be ready to proceed through security!
Itoen
Well-known for its bottled green tea, Itoen offers a wide variety of Japanese teas and tea-related souvenirs that travelers who love Japanese tea should not miss.
Matsumoto Kiyoshi Drugstore
Although there are duty-free shops after passing through security, Matsumoto Kiyoshi also offers duty-free shopping. With the use of duty-free discount coupons, you might find their prices even cheaper than those in the restricted area duty-free shops!
Restricted Area Duty-Free Shops
Photo by PIXTA
Once you exit customs, you'll immediately see the duty-free shops.
Fukuoka Airport's duty-free area is divided into two sections: the Central Duty-Free Shop and the North Duty-Free Shop.
The North Duty-Free Shop features food, groceries, and cosmetics, while the Central Duty-Free Shop offers luxury items, jewelry, watches, designer brands, and tobacco and alcohol.
Highway Bus Information Desk
After picking up your luggage and passing through customs, you'll find the Express Bus Information Desk just outside the restricted area. Although it's called an information desk, you can also purchase express bus tickets here.
Access Guide to Fukuoka Airport
How do you travel from the Domestic Terminal to the International Terminal at Fukuoka Airport? How do you take the subway? Here's a complete introduction to these transportation options.
Connecting Bus Between Domestic and International Terminals
To travel from the Domestic Terminal to the International Terminal, you need to take the connecting bus outside the Domestic Terminal.
This service is free, with buses running every 6 to 7 minutes. However, since it can get crowded, you will need to queue for boarding.
The journey from the Domestic Terminal to the International Terminal takes about 10 minutes, while the trip from the International Terminal to the Domestic Terminal takes about 15 minutes.
For detailed schedules, please refer to the official Fukuoka Airport website: https://www.fukuoka-airport.jp/access/bus2.html
Take the Fukuoka City Subway to the City Center
Within the Domestic Terminal, there are elevators and escalators that provide direct access to the subway station.
A subway ride takes approximately 6 minutes to reach JR Hakata Station and 11 minutes to the Tenjin area. For traveling to the city center, taking the subway is highly recommended.
To Travel to Other Prefectures: Take the Highway Bus
There are many bus services departing from Fukuoka Airport. For specific express buses to certain areas, you will need to board at the International Terminal, while other services can be accessed from the express bus stop in the Domestic Terminal.
Renting a Car from Fukuoka Airport
Fukuoka Airport has various car rental companies on site, making it convenient for those who want to drive around Kyushu.
Major rental companies like Nippon Rent-A-Car, Nissan Rent-A-Car, and Toyota Rent-A-Car all have locations available. Choose the best rental company for an enjoyable driving experience! Don't forget that MATCHA offers a 10% discount on rentals for foreign tourists with a coupon, helping you save even more!
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Shopping Malls Near Fukuoka Airport
In fact, there are two large shopping centers near Fukuoka Airport, making it convenient to do some last-minute shopping before heading to the airport.
AEON Mall Fukuoka
Fukuoka Airport has direct buses that take only 15 minutes to reach AEON Mall Fukuoka, making it a very convenient place for shopping, whether you're looking for last-minute purchases or simply enjoying some retail therapy after a trip around Kyushu.
Many stores offer duty-free services, so visitors of all ages can enjoy a variety of shopping and delicious food options.
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Lalaport Fukuoka
LaLaport Fukuoka is a newly opened complex commercial facility that debuted in April 2022, making it the first of its kind in Kyushu.
Spanning an impressive 86,600 square meters, it features over 200 stores, ranging from high-end boutiques to affordable fashion retailers. The mall also boasts several dining options, including popular Kyushu ramen spots like Kurume Ramen and all-you-can-eat yakiniku restaurants like KAMIMURA Farm.
Enjoy Exploring Fukuoka
While there are many direct flights from smaller airports across Kyushu, Fukuoka Airport remains the largest international airport with the most flight options and competitive fares. So, be sure to check out Fukuoka Airport on your next trip to Kyushu!