Nishitetsu Railway is developing a new community exchange facility at Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station as part of the ongoing Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station Area Development Project, a collaborative effort with Fukuoka Prefecture and Yanagawa City. Construction of the facility is scheduled to begin in April 2026.
Yanagawa, where historic townscapes blend with traditional canals (horikiri), attracts visitors for experiences like canal boat tours and famous eel cuisine. In 2024, the city welcomed approximately 1.21 million tourists, including about 210,000 international visitors primarily from across Asia.
Facility Overview
The new facility will be built on the former site of Nishitetsu Karatachi Shopping Street at the west exit of Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station. The two-story building, stretching approximately 80 meters north to south, features a Japanese-modern aesthetic with a traditional nagaya (row house) design.
The facility is designed to serve both local residents and tourists, incorporating:
- Tourist information center
- Retail shops
- Dining establishments
- Accommodation facilities
The grand opening is scheduled for June 2027.
Facility Concept
"The FESTIVAL WATERWAYS - Yanagawa's New Waterfront Plaza"
The concept blends the extraordinary atmosphere of a tourist destination showcasing the charms of Yanagawa and the Chikugo region to domestic and international visitors, with the comfortable everyday appeal that draws local residents.
Key elements include:
- New attractions created through curated selections of Chikugo's local ingredients and crafts
- A space that heightens the excitement of visitors to Yanagawa
- An environment beloved by local community members for daily visits
Note: The term "waterways" refers to a gathering place for people from both inside and outside the region, rather than traditional religious or festival imagery.
Building Specifications
- Location: 38, 46-2 Shimomomachi, Mitsuhashi-machi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Structure: 2-story steel frame construction
- Building area: 941 m² (285 tsubo)
- Total floor area: 1,500 m² (454 tsubo)
Floor Layout:
- First floor: Tourist information center, retail shops (including food and beverage outlets)
- Second floor: Accommodation facilities
Construction Timeline:
- Groundbreaking: April 2026
- Opening: June 2027
Concept Images
Images are subject to change.
About the Station Area Development Project
This facility is part of the second phase of the Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station Area Development Project. The first phase, completed in 2015 in collaboration with Yanagawa City, included renovations to the east and west station plazas, an east-west free passage, and the station building itself.
The second phase, which began in 2019 with Fukuoka Prefecture joining the partnership, involves bringing Yanagawa's iconic canals to the station area. The comprehensive plan includes:
- Extension of canals to the station front
- Boat boarding facilities
- Public plazas integrated with waterfront spaces
- The new community exchange facility (developed by Nishitetsu Railway)
The development area covers approximately 6,400 m² (shown in red in the map above), with responsibilities divided as follows:
- Canal development: Fukuoka Prefecture
- Plaza and walkway development: Yanagawa City
- Community exchange facility development: Nishitetsu Railway Co., Ltd.
Station Information
Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station:
- Location: 46-2 Shimomomachi, Mitsuhashi-machi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Opening: 1937 (Current station building completed in 2015)
- Daily passengers: 10,905 (FY2024 average)
- Train frequency: 155 trains on weekdays, 152 trains on Saturdays and holidays (as of February 19, 2026)
Through this project, Nishitetsu Railway aims to transform the station area into an exchange hub befitting Yanagawa's identity as a historic water town, contributing to increased vitality and regional revitalization.
