Venue & Travel

Fukuoka International Congress Center 2-1 Sekijo-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka 812-0032, Japan

The Fukuoka International Congress Center is located in Fukuoka’s waterfront convention zone near Hakata Port. The facility offers a main hall, multipurpose halls, meeting rooms, simultaneous interpretation facilities, and modern audio-visual equipment, making it well suited for international academic conferences.

For detailed access information, see the official Access page.

Getting to Fukuoka

By Air

Fukuoka Airport (FUK) is one of the most conveniently located major airports in Japan. The airport is very close to central Fukuoka: Hakata Station can be reached by subway in about 5 minutes, and Tenjin in about 10 minutes. Passengers arriving at the International Terminal can take the free inter-terminal shuttle bus to the Domestic Terminal, where the subway station is located.

Fukuoka is especially accessible from East Asia. Fukuoka Airport has extensive international connections with Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, and other parts of Asia. This makes Fukuoka a convenient destination for participants traveling from nearby Asian countries and regions.

Typical international gateways include Seoul, Busan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Bangkok, Singapore, and other major Asian cities. Some routes may be seasonal or subject to airline schedule changes, so participants should confirm the latest flight availability before booking.

Fukuoka Airport also has frequent domestic flights from major Japanese cities, including Tokyo Haneda/Narita, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, and others.

For the latest flight schedules, terminal information, airport access, and passenger services, please refer to the Fukuoka Airport Official Website.

By Shinkansen (Bullet Train)

Fukuoka (Hakata Station) is connected to the rest of Japan via the Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines.

Approximate travel times by Nozomi or other major Shinkansen services:

From Tokyo: about 5 hours
From Shin-Osaka: about 2 hours 20 minutes
From Hiroshima: about 1 hour

From Fukuoka Airport to the Venue

Recommended Route: Subway + Bus via Hakata Station

This is the most practical public-transport route for many visitors.

From Fukuoka Airport Station, take the Fukuoka City Subway Kuko (Airport) Line to Hakata Station.
From the Hakata Station area, take a Nishitetsu bus bound for the waterfront convention area.
Get off at International Congress Center/Sunpalace-mae or Kokusai Center/Sunpalace-mae.
Walk a short distance to the Fukuoka International Congress Center.

Estimated total travel time: about 25–40 minutes, depending on bus connections and traffic.

By Taxi

Taxis are available at both the Domestic and International Terminals of Fukuoka Airport. The ride to the Fukuoka International Congress Center usually takes about 15–30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Estimated fare: approximately 2,000–3,000 yen.

Taxi is recommended for visitors carrying heavy luggage or arriving late in the evening.

Subway + Walk Option

It is also possible to take the Fukuoka City Subway Kuko (Airport) Line from Fukuoka Airport Station to Nakasu-Kawabata Station and walk to the venue.

The subway ride takes about 8–10 minutes. However, the walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station to the Fukuoka International Congress Center is approximately 15 minutes, so this route may be less convenient with luggage or in bad weather.

Getting Around Fukuoka

Fukuoka has an efficient and easy-to-use public transportation network.

Subway: The Fukuoka City Subway connects the airport, Hakata, Tenjin, and other major areas.
Bus: Nishitetsu buses provide extensive service throughout the city, including direct access to the waterfront convention area.
Taxi: Taxis are widely available at the airport, major stations, hotels, and the city center.
IC Cards: Major IC cards such as Suica, ICOCA, nimoca, SUGOCA, and Hayakaken can be used on many public transportation services in Fukuoka.

Accommodation

Fukuoka offers a wide range of hotels, from business hotels to luxury properties. Early booking is recommended because hotel demand may be high during the conference period.

Recommended areas:

Waterfront / Hakata Port area: Closest to the venue; convenient for walking or short taxi rides.
Hakata Station area: Best for Shinkansen access, airport subway access, restaurants, and shopping. The venue can be reached by bus or taxi.
Tenjin area: Fukuoka’s main shopping and entertainment district. The venue can be reached by bus or taxi.
Nakasu / Kawabata area: Convenient for restaurants and nightlife. The venue is reachable by taxi or by walking approximately 15–20 minutes, depending on hotel location.

About Fukuoka

Fukuoka is the largest city on Kyushu island and one of Japan’s most accessible and livable urban centers. For international conference participants, one of its greatest advantages is its compact layout: the airport, Hakata Station, Hakata Port, major hotel areas, and the city center are all close to one another, making arrivals, local transfers, and evening plans relatively easy.

The city is also known for its warm, relaxed atmosphere and distinctive food culture. After conference sessions, participants can enjoy local specialties such as Hakata ramen, mentaiko, motsunabe, mizutaki, fresh seafood, and the city’s famous yatai food stalls, especially around Tenjin and Nakasu. These open-air stalls are a signature part of Fukuoka’s local culture and offer an informal way to experience the city.

Fukuoka also offers accessible cultural and historical visits before or after the conference. Ohori Park and the Fukuoka Castle ruins provide green space, art, and history near the city center. Hakata Old Town offers temples, shrines, and traditional streets, while Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, associated with learning and scholarship, is a popular short excursion from Fukuoka.

This combination of international access, compact urban scale, local food culture, and nearby cultural sites makes Fukuoka an attractive and comfortable host city for IEEE BigComp 2027.

Food: Hakata ramen, mentaiko, motsunabe, mizutaki, seafood, and yatai food stalls
Culture: Fukuoka Castle ruins, Ohori Park, Hakata Old Town, Fukuoka Art Museum, and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Shopping and dining: Hakata Station, Tenjin, Nakasu, and Kawabata areas
Climate: January in Fukuoka is cool, with average temperatures around 6-10°C (43-50°F). A winter coat is recommended.