Fukuoka has no cash poker rooms — like everywhere in Japan, it runs on “amusement poker”, where you pay a flat entry fee (usually ¥1,000–¥3,000), play for chips with no cash value, and compete for points, trophies or sponsored seats. The action clusters in three places: the bar strip around Nakasu-Kawabata, the Tenjin/Daimyo district, and a handful of rooms in Kokura and Kurume. In 2026 the city also got its first Japan Open Poker Tour stop, which changed how seriously local grinders take it.
If you are flying in from Seoul, Busan or Taipei (Fukuoka Airport is one of the closest Japanese gateways to the rest of Asia), treat this as a cheap, sociable night of tournament poker rather than a place to win money. Here is how the scene is laid out and what it actually costs.
Start in Nakasu: the densest block of tables
Nakasu, the nightlife island between the Naka and Hakata rivers, is where most visitors end up, and it makes sense: three venues sit within a two-minute walk of Nakasu-Kawabata Station. Hours and fees below come from current Japanese venue listings and change often, so check a venue’s social account before you go.
- CRownClown Poker BAR — one minute from the station, about ¥1,980 entry with a drink included. Runs regular tournaments and is known for drawing stronger regulars, including local pros. Listed hours run late, from early evening on weekdays and from mid-afternoon at weekends.
- ONECASINO Fukuoka Nakasu — entry from around ¥1,100, open roughly 18:00 until 5:00. Freeroll-style tournaments plus blackjack and baccarat tables if your group is not all poker players.
- Casino bar Leje Hakata — about ¥1,000 entry, with discounts on bulk chip purchases. A more lounge-style room that suits a relaxed first night.
Nakasu is also the easiest place to hop between rooms: if one table is full or the structure looks too turbo, the next venue is a few minutes’ walk away.
Tenjin and Daimyo: where the tournament crowd lives
Across the river, Tenjin is Fukuoka’s shopping and office core, and its poker rooms lean more towards scheduled tournaments than casual bar play.
- Janken Poker Fukuoka Tenjin — roughly ¥1,000 with food and drink included, open from mid-afternoon to late evening, with a daily tournament (Japanese listings put the regular start around 18:30). A good pick for newer players.
- CASINO BLOW — about ¥1,000 with all-you-can-drink, part of a chain, around eight minutes on foot from Tenjin.
- sbm Poker+Shisha — near Yakuin-Odori, open until the early hours, mixing tournaments with a shisha lounge.
- Grand Mirage Poker — near Nishitetsu-Fukuoka, ¥2,000–¥3,000, opens late (around 21:00), and pitches itself as beginner- and women-friendly with lessons.
Daimyo is also where the big event landed. JOPT 2026 Fukuoka #01 ran from 30 July to 2 August 2026 at UNITEDLAB (1-3-36 Daimyo), the first time the tour had gone beyond Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo. The schedule had 45 events, and the ¥80,000 Main Event was played over three flights. A Day 1 flight also ran in Tokyo, which tells you the organisers expected players to travel. If a second Fukuoka stop gets confirmed, expect satellites to start appearing in the Tenjin and Nakasu rooms weeks ahead.
Beyond the centre: Kokura and Kurume
Two smaller rooms are worth knowing if you are based outside the city. KAJI BAR in Kokura (Kitakyushu, a short shinkansen ride away) charges from about ¥1,500 with all-you-can-drink and can be rented privately. CASINO Bar ACES in Kurume runs ¥2,000–¥3,000, with student discounts and regular tournaments.
What you actually play for
Japanese law bans gambling outside state-run racing and lotteries, so no Fukuoka venue can pay out cash — a point explained well in Japan-Zone’s guide to poker in Japan. Your entry fee buys chips and usually a drink. Prizes are venue points, trophies, merchandise and, at the top end, sponsored entries into events such as JOPT, the Asian Poker Tour or WSOP packages. Any room offering to “cash out” your chips is breaking the law, and that risk falls on players as well as the venue. Walk away.
For comparison, the model is the same one covered in our Tokyo and Osaka guides. Fukuoka is simply smaller, cheaper and far more walkable. If you want real-money live poker nearby, the closest options are across the strait at Busan’s casino rooms or on Jeju.
Practical notes for visiting players
- Language: dealers mostly work in Japanese, but tournament poker is universal. Learn the words for “call”, “raise” and “all-in” and you will be fine. Grand Mirage and Janken are the gentlest starting points.
- Timing: weeknight tournaments usually start between 18:00 and 20:00. Friday and Saturday rooms fill up, so arrive early.
- Budget: plan on ¥3,000–¥6,000 for a full night once you add re-entries or add-ons.
- ID: carry your passport, since bars check age (20+ for alcohol).
For real-money play, Asia-facing sites such as Natural8 and GGPoker are where most Japanese regulars grind, though online poker’s legal position in Japan is a grey area worth understanding first. Want help setting up an account or a deposit route before the trip? Message @PAGDaddyBot on Telegram.
Fukuoka poker FAQ
Can you play cash poker in Fukuoka?
No. Cash games are illegal across Japan. Fukuoka’s rooms run amusement poker, where you pay an entry fee and play for chips with no cash value.
How much does a night of poker in Fukuoka cost?
Entry at most venues is between ¥1,000 and ¥3,000, often with drinks included. With re-entries, most players spend ¥3,000–¥6,000 a night.
Where is the best area for poker in Fukuoka?
Nakasu-Kawabata has the most rooms within walking distance of each other. Tenjin and Daimyo lean more towards scheduled tournaments and hosted the 2026 JOPT stop.
Has JOPT been held in Fukuoka?
Yes. JOPT 2026 Fukuoka #01 ran from 30 July to 2 August 2026 at UNITEDLAB in Daimyo, with 45 events and an ¥80,000 Main Event. It was the tour’s first stop outside Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo.
Do Fukuoka poker rooms welcome foreign tourists?
Generally yes. Most rooms accept walk-ins, and tournament play needs very little Japanese. Beginner-friendly venues such as Janken Poker and Grand Mirage are the easiest first stops.
What prizes can you win at amusement poker?
Points, trophies, merchandise and sponsored entries into bigger events such as JOPT, the Asian Poker Tour or WSOP packages. Never cash.