Fukuoka Airport (FUK) - South Japan's largest airport

Fukuoka Airport (FUK) is the busiest on the island of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four major islands.

The airport is located just 5 km east of central Fukuoka. It is very close to Hakata Old Town, one of the most popular travel destinations in Japan.

Fukuoka Airport is one of the largest and busiest in Japan.

In 2025, Fukuoka Airport handled a record-breaking 26.7 million passengers, most of whom (nearly 20 million) were domestic. This makes FUK the fourth-busiest airport in Japan after the two large hubs in Tokyo (NRT and HND) and Osaka’s main international airport, Kansai (KIX).

Major Airlines - All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines

Fukuoka is a focus city for the two largest Japanese carriers:

All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Japan Airlines (JAL)

Both airlines operate high-frequency shuttle-style services to Tokyo Haneda, often departing every 15-30 minutes. These are a suitable alternative to the Shinkansen bullet train, which takes around 4-5 hours and is generally more expensive.

ANA, together with its subsidiary ANA Wings, also flies to Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, and other domestic destinations.

JAL also flies to Sapporo, among other cities and islands in Japan.

The low-cost segment is served by carriers such as Peach Aviation and Jetstar Japan, offering mainly domestic flights.

Other prominent Japanese carriers that fly to/from Fukuoka include Fuji Dream Airlines, J-Air Oriental Air Bridge, Skymark Airlines, and StarFlyer.

International services are almost exclusively offered by foreign carriers. Fukuoka Airport has direct flights to cities across East and Southeast Asia, including Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok. The largest carriers to offer these routes include Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Philippine Airlines, and others.

Check out all airlines and their routes at FUK here.

Terminal Layout

Fukuoka Airport has two separate terminals, one for domestic and one for international flights:

Domestic Terminal: The larger and significantly busier of the two. Spread over 6 floors:

B2 is the Airport Subway Station.
B1 is the connecting walkway.
1F is dedicated to Check-ins and Arrivals.
2F has Security and Departures.
3F has restaurants and other services.
4F is the observation deck (before Security, landside).

Inside the Domestic Terminal of Fukuoka Airport.

International Terminal: Located about 2.5 km away, connected by a free shuttle bus that runs every 6-7 minutes. It consists of 4 floors:

1F has Arrivals and transportation.
2F is for Immigration.
3F has all check-in counters and the Security checkpoint.
There is an Observation Deck on 4F.

Both terminals are very well organized with plenty of signs to the gates and other services. The longest distance you may have to walk from Security to a gate is less than 15 minutes in the Domestic Terminal and under 10 minutes in the International one.

The interterminal shuttle bus runs every 6 to 7 minutes between 6:00 AM and 11:20 PM. It stops at the South Bus Stop and the North Bus Stop of the Domestic Terminal and at the International Passenger Terminal Building Bus Stop. Travel time between the two terminals is around 10-15 minutes.

The Domestic Terminal closes shortly after the last flight of the day, around 10:30 PM, and reopens at 5:00 AM. The International Terminal also opens at 5 AM, but closes at 22:40 (1F) or 21:40 (2-4F). Staying inside overnight in either is not allowed.

Connections and layovers are processed as separate flights. Fukuoka Airport does not have an airside transit option, and you need to go through Security in all cases.

Free Wi-Fi and other services

Fukuoka Airport provides free Wi-Fi in all public areas of both terminals. Simply connect to "AirportFreeWiFi-2.4G" or "AirportFreeWiFi-5.0G", open your browser, accept the terms and conditions, and click the button to connect.

As a major airport, FUK offers a variety of passenger services, including:

ATMs of several Japanese banks in each terminal.
Banks: The Nishi-Nippon City Bank has a branch on B1F in the Domestic Terminal.
Currency exchange: Travelex, Trip.com, Fukuoka Bank, and Shinhan Bank provide currency exchange services in both terminals. There is also an automatic E-Money Foreign Exchange Machine on 1F of the International Terminal.
Luggage storage: There is at least 1 provider in the Domestic Terminal and at least 4 in the International Terminal, where you leave your bags as you explore the city. There are also coin lockers in several places.
Post boxes: Two in each terminal, near some of the entrances.
Information desks: 3 in the Domestic and 2 in the International terminal. You can inquire about any flight information, access, or other important info, or borrow wheelchairs or strollers.
Tourist information: The desk is located on 1F of the International Terminal, open from 8 AM to 9 PM.

Lost and Found: One office in each terminal. 8 AM to 10:30 PM in the Domestic and 24/7 in the International.
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in several places in both terminals.
Clinics: Two in the Domestic Terminal - Maruoka and Kawakami, both on 2F.
Pharmacy: Ako Pharmacy is located on 2F of the Domestic Terminal.
Observation decks: Each terminal has an observation deck on the fourth floor. In the International Terminal, it is accessible from both the north and south sides.
Nursing rooms: In at least 6 locations in each terminal.
Kids’ play areas: Near Gates 6 and 11 on 2F in the Domestic Terminal and in front of Gate 50 in the International Terminal.
Prayer Room: in the International Terminal on 3F and 4F. Open from 5 AM to 9:40 PM.
Calm Down & Cool Down Spaces: These are small isolation boxes in several locations designed to help with anxiety and prevent panic attacks and/or tantrums.
Assistance dog toilets: One in each terminal, both on 1F.

Check out the best things to do in Fukuoka.

Lounges at Fukuoka Airport

In total, there are 7 lounges at Fukuoka Airport: 4 in the Domestic Terminal and 3 in the International Terminal.

They can be categorized as either airline-specific or cardholder and general paid lounges:

Airline-specific lounges	Cardholder and general paid lounges
ANA Lounge - 2F Domestic. Open 6 AM to last flight.	Lounge TIME / North - 1F, Domestic. Open 6 AM to 8:30 PM. Fee is 1100 JPY.
JAL Sakura Lounge Diamond & Premier Lounge - 2F Domestic. Open 6 AM to last flight.	Lounge TIME / South - 2F, Domestic. Open 6 AM to 9 PM. Fee is 1100 JPY.
Korean Air Lounge - Opposite Gate 56, 3F, International. Opens 2 hours before a scheduled flight.	Lounge TIME International - Near Gate 56 on 3F, International. Open until 9 PM. Fee is 1100 JPY.
Lounge Fukuoka - 4F, International. Serves passengers of several contracted airlines. Open throughout the day.

Dining Options at FUK

With over 60 places where you can eat and drink, dining is definitely a strong point for Fukuoka Airport. The Domestic Terminal, given its larger share of the passenger traffic, offers a lot more options.

The pre-security area of the Domestic terminal is particularly notable, with a large food court and multiple restaurants where you can try local specialties such as Hakata ramen, sushi, and tempura.

Throughout the airport, you can find cafes that also offer light meals, western food, sushi, udon, soba, ramen, yakiniku bars, dessert shops, and more.

Some of the most notable dining places at FUK include:

Hakata Otowazushi: Offers locally-sourced seafood from Nagahama Market. Domestic Terminal.
Hakata Curry Laboratory: Best place to go if you’re a fan of Japanese curries. Domestic Terminal.
Hakata Ikkousha Old Style: Go here if you’d like to try the famous Hakata Ramen. 3F, Domestic.
Hakata Guruguru Torikawa & Unagi Takenoya: Amazing unaju and unadon sushi in the International Terminal, 3F.
Washin Tonkatsu Anzu: Serves tonkatsu, katsudon, and curries. International Terminal, 3F.

Transportation

Fukuoka Airport is just two subway stops from Hakata Station in the city center. In just 11 minutes, you can be in the center of the old historic area of the city.

Simply take the Fukuoka City Subway Kuko Line, which operates between 5:30 AM and 12:25 AM, with fares between Fukuoka Airport and Hakata Station or Tenjin Station set at 260 yen.

The subway is the most convenient and affordable way to commute around Fukuoka. The Kuko Line connects the Domestic Terminal of FUK with the city.

At the station, you can change to local, commuter, and long-distance trains to neighboring regions or other islands in Japan.

Buses are a viable alternative for destinations that are relatively close to Fukuoka, such as Nagasaki, Saga, Oita, Kumamoto, and Nobeoka. There are both local and highway buses, with the latter understandably more expensive but faster.

Taxis are generally expensive in Japan, and Fukuoka is no exception. They have designated pick-up and drop-off locations at each terminal. The fare to Hakata is around 1,500-2,000 JPY for a 15-minute ride.

The rental car companies' counters are located on the 1st Floor of the International Terminal. Think twice before renting a car in Japan, especially given the superb public transportation network that reaches all corners of the country.

Hotels near Fukuoka Airport

Given how close the airport is to the city, there is little need for an airport hotel, so there isn’t one.

One of the closest accommodation options is The Grand Residence Hotel Hakata, which is about 1.5 km from the International Terminal. It’s also very close to the city and near a subway stop.

Closest to the Domestic Terminal is Enzo Fukuoka - a simple 3-star hotel just meters away from the terminal entrance.