Marine Messe Fukuoka: Capacity, Access & the Hall A / Hall B Difference

Marine Messe Fukuoka is Kyushu's largest multipurpose convention and concert venue, made up of two adjoining halls on Hakata Bay: Hall A, the original arena-style hall that opened in the mid-1990s and seats up to 15,000 for sports and up to 13,000 for concerts, and the newer Hall B, a 5,000 sqm pillarless exhibition room that opened in 2021 with a maximum capacity of about 6,000. Both halls sit on the same waterfront site in Hakata-ku, about a 15-20 minute walk from the nearest subway station or a short bus ride from Hakata Station.

Capacity

Hall A's opening date varies by source: Japanese-language references (including Japanese Wikipedia) put its service start in August 1994, while some English-language sources date it to 1995, the year it hosted the Summer Universiade. Either way, it has since hosted events including the 1999 Asian Basketball Championship, the 2001 World Aquatics Championships and preliminary rounds of the 2006 Volleyball World Championship. Hall B was added as a second, flat-floor exhibition space next door, mainly used for trade fairs, ceremonies and mid-size concerts.

Address

7-1 Okihamamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka 812-0031 (〒812-0031 福岡県福岡市博多区沖浜町7-1). Hall A and Hall B share the same waterfront site on Hakata Bay, a short walk from the Fukuoka International Congress Center and Fukuoka Sunpalace.

Getting there

• Subway (Fukuoka City Subway Hakozaki Line): Gofukumachi Station, about a 15-minute walk (the venue's official nearest station), or Chiyokencho-guchi Station, about a 15-18 minute walk.
• Subway (Nakasu-Kawabata Station, Hakozaki Line / Kuko Airport Line interchange): about an 18-minute walk.
• Bus from Hakata Station: Nishitetsu bus route 88 / BRT toward Chuo-futo, boarding at the "Hakata Eki Nishi Nihon City Bank-mae" stop (about a 5-minute walk from Hakata Station's Hakata-guchi exit); ride about 15-20 minutes to the "Marine Messe-mae" stop right outside Hall B.
• Bus from Tenjin: Nishitetsu bus route 80 / BRT, about a 12-minute ride.
• Car: About 3 minutes from the Higashihama on-ramp of the Fukuoka Expressway (Fukuoka Kosoku).

Walking the whole way from JR Hakata Station takes about 30-35 minutes, so most visitors take the bus for the final stretch, especially on event days.

FAQ

What is Marine Messe Fukuoka's capacity? Hall A holds up to 15,000 for sports and general events, or up to 13,000 for concerts. Hall B, which opened in 2021, holds up to about 6,000.

What's the difference between Hall A and Hall B? Hall A is the original arena-style hall that opened in the mid-1990s, used for sports, concerts and large ceremonies. Hall B is a newer, flat-floor 5,000 sqm exhibition room next door, opened in 2021 and mainly used for trade fairs and mid-size events.

What's the nearest station? Gofukumachi Station or Chiyokencho-guchi Station, both roughly 15-20 minutes on foot. Many visitors take a Nishitetsu bus from Hakata Station or Tenjin instead, since it's faster.

How do I get there from Hakata Station? Take the Nishitetsu bus route 88 (or BRT) toward Chuo-futo to the "Marine Messe-mae" stop, about a 15-20 minute ride plus a short walk to the bus stop from Hakata Station.

Related venues

For other major concert arenas around Japan, see Saitama Super Arena and Ariake Arena. For smaller Fukuoka live houses, see Zepp Fukuoka or browse the Zepp live-house guide.

Official site: https://www.marinemesse.or.jp/ (Hall A: https://www.marinemesse.or.jp/messe/, Hall B: https://www.marinemesse.or.jp/messe-b/, access: https://www.marinemesse.or.jp/messe/access/) -- verified against Wikipedia (July 2026). Always check the official site for the current event calendar before booking travel.