Hotel to be built on the site of Hakata's long-established Japanese restaurant "Oimatsu", aiming for completion in March 2029

Oimatsu, a Japanese restaurant in Fukuoka's Hakata Ward that was founded about 100 years ago, closed last fall. Regarding the site, development is being considered with a focus on building a hotel, with the goal of completion by March 2029. Itochu Urban Development (Tokyo) made this announcement in an interview with the Mainichi Shimbun.

The new building will be jointly developed by Itochu Urban Development and Craftia, and will occupy a total of 1,175 square meters of land, including Oimatsu and an adjacent building. The acquisition price is believed to be several billion yen. Demolition work for Oimatsu has begun, and construction of the new building is expected to begin after June next year. The building is expected to be around 10 stories above ground.

Regarding the use of the new building, Itochu Urban Development said, ``The first candidate is a hotel.We are also considering the use of rental apartments, offices, etc.'' If the hotel is to be turned into a hotel, it is expected to be a ``long-term stay type with low accommodation prices.'' The company is already moving ahead with plans to develop six hotels in Kyushu, citing "anticipated demand from inbound tourists."

According to Tokyo Shoko Research Fukuoka Branch, Oimatsu was founded in 1927. The main customers were major and local companies, but it appears to have closed at the end of October 2025. The number of Japanese restaurants is said to be on the decline due to a decline in corporate entertainment demand across the country and an increase in customers leaving due to the coronavirus pandemic. [Atsuji Nakazono]