#156 FUK (Fukuoka Airport)
Japan's most convenient airport, depending on circumstances.
When considering flights for overseas travel, the first thing that comes to mind is the major airport closest to the country's largest city. In Japan, the options are Haneda, Narita, or Osaka in the Kansai region. However, if you are a repeat visitor to Japan and are interested in western Japan, such as Kyushu, there may be another option. Even in the island nation of Japan, it takes over two hours by plane from Tokyo to Fukuoka, the gateway to Kyushu. In such cases, is it too unconventional to consider Fukuoka as a gateway? Depending on where you are coming from or what you are seeking in Japan if you are planning to explore Kyushu, there is no need to limit yourself to Haneda, Narita, or Osaka. This week, I would like to share with you the charm and potential of Fukuoka as a gateway.
Overview
Japan is a unique island nation with a small land area of only 378,000 square kilometers, 75% of which is mountainous. On the other hand, except for 10 prefectures, including Kyoto, Nara, and the Tokyo metropolitan area, every prefecture has an airport. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of international flights landing directly at regional airports to meet the demand for inbound tourism.
From the perspective of inbound travelers, the two most important factors for an airport are its location and the availability of airline options. The next most important factor is access to the destination after arrival. When discussing travel with my colleagues, who frequently travel for business, the convenience of Fukuoka Airport is always a topic of conversation.
Location
Let's take a look at its location. Fukuoka Airport is two subway stops and five minutes away from JR Hakata Station, which is a Shinkansen terminal station. It is also five minutes away by car and less than 2,000 yen by taxi. When I used to travel all over Japan on business, it took me less than 30 minutes to get from Fukuoka Airport to my destination in Fukuoka City. The subway line that connects to Fukuoka Airport also connects to Karatsu City in Saga Prefecture.
As mentioned earlier, it takes 5 minutes to get from Fukuoka Airport to JR Hakata Station. From Hakata Station, you can take the Shinkansen to Kumamoto and Kagoshima or Beppu, Oita, Saga, and Nagasaki.
Quoted from the Fukuoka Airport HP ANA operates the last flight from Haneda to Fukuoka, departing at 8:00 PM. It arrives in Fukuoka around 10:00 PM, so it is possible to sightsee in the Tokyo area until late and then head to Fukuoka.
One important point to note: Although Fukuoka Airport underwent a new renovation this year, you will still need to take a shuttle bus to reach the international terminal. During the day, buses run every 5 to 6 minutes, with a travel time of 10 to 15 minutes. The subway station is adjacent to the domestic terminal, so please be cautious. However, this extra time is minimal compared to the time required at major city airports.
Airline Options
Please feel free to take a look at the currently available international flights. Please check here.
Especially from Europe, CX (Cathay Pacific), SQ (Singapore Airlines), TG (Thai Airways), BR (Eva Air), CA (Air China), CI (China Airlines), KE (Korean Air), and OZ (Asiana Airlines) are options. Flights from North America to South Korea are also available. From North America, there are more airline options if you fly in via Tokyo or Osaka. However, it is possible to fly directly to Fukuoka from Southeast Asia or Europe, and this may be more efficient in terms of schedule.
In Southeast Asia, there are many LCC airlines in addition to the major carriers mentioned above, so there are even more options to choose from.
When traveling from Europe to Asia with a layover, CA offers very affordable tickets if you are prioritizing price. However, please keep this in mind during the layover. I have only experienced connecting through Shanghai, and it took a considerable amount of time for all the connecting passengers to complete the procedures. I would not recommend this if you are looking for a smooth connection. On the other hand, connecting through Singapore is good, as the airport is large. Additionally, if you are a Star Alliance Gold member, you can relax in the Singapore Airlines lounge, so even if the connection time is a bit long, it may not be a significant issue.
Singapore Airlines, like many other airlines, begins ticket sales 355 days before departure. In reality, tickets cannot be issued until 355 days before the scheduled departure of the return flight. Hence, purchasing tickets 355 days before the return flight typically offers the best chance of securing affordable tickets. Since Singapore Airlines generally does not charge surcharges, there is a high likelihood of finding cost-effective tickets. It may be worth considering Singapore Airlines as an option for flights to Fukuoka.
The Future
Fukuoka Airport had only one runway until recently and was known as one of the most congested airports in Japan. However, in March of this year, the second runway began operations, and the international terminal underwent an expansion, doubling its original size.
As part of the national long-term goal, the airport aims to expand to 25 countries and 67 routes by the 2048 fiscal year. The airport also has a long-term vision, known as the "Airport City" concept, which aims to transform itself from a mere transportation hub into a place where people can reside and gather. By ensuring the convenience of the airport while becoming an integral part of the city, the airport is undergoing significant evolution.
Finally
In Tokyo, when taking a domestic flight, Haneda Airport is the primary option. However, when taking an international flight, Narita Airport is also an alternative, and the travel time to the airport is a key consideration. In that sense, I envy the people of Fukuoka. It is only five minutes from Hakata Station, and you can smoothly travel to your destination from there.
If you are a repeat visitor to Kyushu, consider a route that goes directly to Fukuoka Airport. Once you use Fukuoka Airport, you will realize how convenient it is. You will save time and eliminate other headaches.
Next time I fly to Taiwan I'm going to see if Fukuoka works as an alternative to changing planes in Tokyo because there are 2 direct Izumo-Fukuoka flights a day.
Hi Tanikawa-san - Great you‘re featuring my home base. Fukuoka Airport is super convenient for domestic travel and daily connections to Seoul, Pusan, Shanghai, Taipei, Hongkong, Singapore etc.
What I‘m missing is a direct connection to Europe. Do you know if any airline trying to get a slot Fukuoka used to have trial services to Amsterdam and Helsinki during the summer months, but they were suspended before or with COVID.