Fukuoka Airport, New and Improved! Things to Do and See in the Terminal
With its international and domestic terminals, Fukuoka Airport is said to be one of the busiest in the country. In the recently (2020) renewed domestic terminal there have been many new additions, ranging from a new observation deck to a variety of new shops and restaurants.
▲Photo provided by the Fukuoka International Airport
Now a place where “you can enjoy a Fukuokan atmosphere while relaxing”, we will introduce the new facilities and attractions that make the Fukuoka Airport a tourism destination.
First of all, we need to discuss how accessible the airport is. By subway is takes merely 5 minutes from Hakata Station, and from Tenjin 11 minutes. The subway connects directly to the airport, making it easy to come and do a spot of shopping or eat at one of the many restaurants without setting foot outside (particularly useful for rainy days).
The entrance from the subway station extends up to the fourth floor of the terminal, making it an open space.
The entrance from the subway station extends up to the fourth floor of the terminal, making it an open space.
There are plenty of gift stores here as well as a large scale food court called “the foodtimes”, making it easy to shop for souvenirs and eat Fukuokan specialties before your flight. Those who aren’t flying can also make use of these facilities as well.
The “SWEETS HALL” primarily sells a wide variety of Kyushu sweets.
There are several items here that are exclusive to Fukuoka Airport!
Of course, any discussion of food in Fukuoka must include ramen! The “Ramen Runway” on the third floor features a lineup of 9 different ramen vendors in a corridor meant to resemble an airplane runway. While tonkotsu ramen is the primary variety on offer, there are also restaurants that specialize in Kagoshima and Tokyo style noodles as well. As you walk by the restaurants a delicious scent fills the air, and all the variety makes one totally spoiled for choice!
▲Photo provided by the Fukuoka International Airport
If you look closely at the floor, the number 16 is written on the floor in the runway area. This represents one of the runway directions of Fukuoka Airport, "16". It's a reproduction of 160 degrees south-southeast, clockwise from the north, showing the direction the plane is traveling. The other direction, "34," is also depicted on the other side of the runway hall.
Of the recent airport additions, the most spectacular of them is the viewing deck. Fukuoka Airport has the highest passenger volume for an airport with a single runway in Japan. The wide viewing deck affords visitors a refreshing and exhilarating view of the tarmac action.
Being able to watch the activity on the runway up close is fun.
See off your friends and guests from the viewing deck!
Additionally, at the beer hall “Fukuoka Airport Beer Marche SORAGAMIAIR” there is a refreshingly open space with a wide screen installed in the back that allows you to view the tarmac live on screen. They also sometimes screen sports games as well, giving you something to watch as you enjoy your meal.
Why not take a cute commemorative photo when you’re here?
There is also a "Fukuoka Airport Information Plaza" that introduces the history of the airport and its facilities. A 2,500-meter-long second runway is scheduled to be added in 2025, giving us all something to look forward to!
▲Photo provided by the Fukuoka International Airport
These additions to Fukuoka Airport have helped expand its already varied options, making it a fun place to visit whether you’re flying out that day or not. When you come to Fukuoka we hope you will be able to make use of these facilities.
