Kitakyushu Airport — Local services in Kitakyushu

On Friday, October 25, 2024, at approximately 9:30 AM, I was scheduled to board flight LJ350 from Kitakyushu, Japan, to Seoul Incheon. Around 8:00 AM, I entered the airport security checkpoint, prepared with my mobile QR code as I had completed web check-in and did not require a printed boarding pass. Upon request, I turned on my phone to show the QR code. Shockingly, without a word or any explanation, the security staff member abruptly seized my phone from my hand and placed it in the security tray. Up until that moment, I had not spoken to the staff or even made eye contact, as I was simply conversing with my companion.

My phone screen was still on, raising privacy concerns, and I instinctively reached out to turn it off. The security agent's expression immediately hardened, and he attempted to snatch the phone from me with increased force. When I resisted, he used even more strength to wrest it from my hand and put it back in the tray. His colleagues, all of whom witnessed this exchange, did nothing to intervene; one even offered an apologetic smile, yet none stepped in to stop this employee’s forceful and inappropriate behavior. This individual appeared to be a male in his 40s.

What authority permits you to manhandle personal belongings without consent? What right do you have to treat a traveler’s possessions with aggression and such an intimidating attitude? Frankly, the behavior was reminiscent of a Yakuza rather than an airport security officer. After 15 years of traveling to over 30 countries on more than 300 business and personal trips, this is, without a doubt, one of the most egregious incidents I have encountered. I consider this a serious act of racial discrimination, and I will not return to Kitakyushu. I attempted to send you an email regarding this matter but couldn’t find a contact address. Have you removed your email because you receive complaints like this every day?

I fully consent to the public release of the footage. If there is any suspicion that I am exaggerating or misrepresenting events, feel free to review and publish the footage immediately.

The small, artificial island of Kitakyushu Airport seemed like it would be a beautiful and serene place. My first impression was exactly that. But this positive sentiment was ruined by one employee’s foolish, racially discriminatory conduct, which left a negative mark on the overall impression of your country. Was the friendliness I experienced in places like Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, or even nearby Fukuoka simply a facade to welcome tourists? Do your other staff harbor the same prejudices as this individual?

It is disappointing to witness such an unprofessional display from your staff and disheartening to realize that the training standards at your airport...

I feel like this is the most underrated airport. There are a few direct flights from Haneda Airport which I appreciated. This airport is very clean and have small but good souvenirs stores. and more importantly, I cannot say enough about how amazing the JAL staff are! Due to my health condition, I have to request wheelchair support and they have been the most thoughtful and kind staff I have ever come across with. They have coordinated with the bus company to make sure I can get on the bus seamlessly. I even received a thoughtful card from a staff. I’m truly grateful for the extra mile they take to make you...

福岡に2つある空港の1つですが、少なくとも、空港内を楽しむ空港ではありません。飲食や眺めを楽しむのではなく、単に飛行機の発着場として見た方がいいでしょう。 福岡空港が日本の都市空港の中でかなり利便性がよく、滑走路の規模と比較すると飛行機の発着数が過密状態となっており、LCCや貨物専用便がこの空港に割り当てられていますが、その一方で利用者の視点からすると、非常に中途半端な空港である、という感覚が否めません。小倉市街地や門司・下関への観光の拠点としても、福岡空港から博多を経由して行く方が利便性が高い場合があります（中津などの大分県北部へのアクセスには丁度いいかもしれません）。 出発ロビー・到着ロビーはいずれも狭く、土産物店・レストランの数も少ないです（時期や時間帯によっては、一部営業していないレストランもあり、選択の余地が無い場合があります）。少なくとも、50人を超えるような修学旅行生等の団体を受け入れるような広さではないように思います。 3階に展望デッキがありますが、ここもそれ程広いわけではありません。足湯（料金は大人で100円、子供で50円）が設けられていますが、展望デッキの内側に設置されているため、滑走路の眺めはイマイチです。

It's one of the two airports in Fukuoka, but at least it's not an airport to enjoy inside. It's better to see it simply as a place for airplane arrivals and departures, not for eating, drinking, or enjoying the view. While Fukuoka Airport is quite convenient among Japan's city airports, and the number of aircraft arrivals and departures is overcrowded compared to the size of the runway, and LCCs and cargo flights are assigned to this airport, one cannot deny the feeling that it's a very halfway airport from the user's perspective. Even as a base for sightseeing in downtown Kokura or Moji/Shimonoseki, it may be more convenient to go from Fukuoka Airport via Hakata (which may be just fine for access to northern Oita Prefecture, such as Nakatsu). Both the departure and arrival lobbies are small, and there are few souvenir stores and restaurants (depending on the time of year and time of day, some restaurants may not be open, leaving no choice). At the very least, it's not suitable for hosting groups such as school excursion students, etc. that exceed 50 people. There is an observation deck on the third floor, but it too is not that large. There is a footbath (100 yen for adults, 50 yen for children), but it's located inside the observation deck, so the view of the runway is...