Rising above the busy streets of Fukuoka’s Tenjin district, the IMS Building is a beacon for lovers of shopping and fine dining. With hundreds of stores and restaurants spread over 14 floors, there’s something for everyone. You can pass a whole day while traveling up and down the escalators as neon lights wink all around. Spend the morning shopping, have lunch, start again in the afternoon and come home with all of the latest fashion trends.
Work your way up from the bottom to the top. Shop for clothes and accessories in trendy boutiques, which include Japanese favorites as well as international brands. On floors 5 through 8, get pampered with spas and salons. Stretch out any stiffness from carrying heavy bags by participating in a yoga class or booking a massage. The Artium on floor 8 offers the opportunity for a break to view contemporary art. Get some nail art or a new haircut and head up to the 9th to 11th floors, dedicated to education, including an English language school.
When you’re hungry, move to the top floors, where a mind-boggling variety of restaurants await. Reserve a table at popular No No Budo, known for its inventive interpretations of traditional Japanese cuisine. Have paella or spaghetti at the European restaurants. Eat a meal while looking out the windows at the skyline of Fukuoka stretching out ahead. As the sun begins to set, enter the Sky Garden to watch the dying light filter through the buildings.
Find the IMS Building in the heart of Fukuoka, across the street from Tenjin Station, one of the city’s biggest subway stations. Get here on the subway from the airport in 15 minutes or from Hakata Station in 8 minutes. Metered parking in garages in the area is limited, so public transportation is generally the best choice for reaching the mall. Daily open hours are from mid morning to evening, with the restaurant floor opening later but staying open late into the night. Check online for individual store and restaurant hours.
