Tourism-Oriented Mixed-Use Facility Planned at Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station Through Public-Private Partnership With Three Stakeholders.

Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd. will develop a new mixed-use facility incorporating tourist information, retail, food and beverage, and lodging functions at the west exit of Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station in Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with an opening targeted for June 2027. The project will serve as the core facility of Phase 2 of the “Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station Area Redevelopment Project,” a joint initiative undertaken by Fukuoka Prefecture, Yanagawa City, and Nishitetsu.The site is the former location of the “Nishitetsu Karatachi Meitengai” shopping arcade. Plans call for the construction of a two-story, rowhouse-style building extending approximately 80 meters north to south. The structure will be steel-framed, with a Gross Floor Area of approximately 454 tsubo (approx. 15,000 sq. ft.). The first floor will house a tourist information center along with retail and restaurant space, while the second floor will accommodate lodging facilities. The facility concept, branded as the “New Engawa Plaza of the Water City Yanagawa,” aims to serve as a new gateway showcasing the city’s appeal, highlighting local Chikugo-region food products and traditional crafts.A defining feature of the project is the clear allocation of responsibilities between the public and private sectors. Fukuoka Prefecture will undertake improvements to extend Yanagawa’s signature canal system to the station frontage, while Yanagawa City will develop the adjacent plaza and sidewalks, and Nishitetsu will deliver the commercial and lodging components. A boat boarding area is also planned. By integrating the canal, waterfront spaces, and community facilities into a cohesive station-front destination, the design creates a seamless arrival experience, enabling visitors to immediately experience the atmosphere of “Suigo Yanagawa,” the famed water town, upon stepping off the train.

As major private railway operators accelerate station-area redevelopment projects aimed at enhancing the value of their rail corridors, Nishitetsu is placing particular emphasis on capturing tourism demand. Yanagawa recorded approximately 1.21 million visitors in 2024, of which about 210,000—roughly 17%—were international travelers. Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station handles an average of approximately 10,900 passengers per day (FY2024), and the company aims to capture visitor spending, including inbound tourism demand, at the station frontage.

Key Facts

• Property Name: Nigiwai Exchange Facility

• Owner/Developer: Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd.

• Location: 38, 46-2 Shimohyaku-cho, Mitsuhashi-machi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture

• Access: Directly connected to the West Exit of “Nishitetsu Yanagawa” Station on the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line

• Completion: Scheduled for June 2027 (construction start: April 2026)

• Number of Floors: 2F

• Structure: Steel structure

• Building Area: Approximately 285 tsubo (approx. 9,420 sq. ft.)

• Gross Floor Area: Approximately 454 tsubo (approx. 15,000 sq. ft.)

• Facility Components: 1F – Tourist information center and retail/food & beverage; 2F – Lodging facility