Rapid Increase in Children in Fukuoka's Island City - Young Families in High-Rise Condominiums
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Fukuoka City's Island City in Higashi Ward is gaining attention from child-rearing households. The number of children on the island is rapidly increasing, and a third elementary school is set to open in April. Although there is no railway service, limiting access to the city center to buses or cars, the island is well-equipped with schools, parks, and medical facilities. The views from the high-rise condominiums overlooking the Genkai Sea are also attracting power couples.
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Island City, created by reclaiming land from Hakata Bay, is a massive artificial island spanning about 400 hectares, equivalent to 85 Tokyo Domes. Located less than 20 minutes from JR Hakata Station via the expressway, the island is divided into the "Port Development Area" on the west side and the "Urban Development Area" on the east side, featuring some of the tallest high-rise condominiums in Kyushu.
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Nineteen years have passed since the city opened in 2005. According to population data by school district compiled by Fukuoka City, about 15,000 people were living on the island as of the end of December 2023. The population has tripled in the past ten years. By age group, those under 15 years old account for 30% of the population, while those aged 65 and over make up only about 7%.
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In April, "Teruha Habataki Elementary School," the third elementary school on the island, will open. The existing two schools are also nearby, making this a rare area in Japan with three elementary schools within a 10-minute walk. Next to the new elementary school, a second middle school is also planned to be built. With many plots still under development, the city's Board of Education explains that "further increases in the number of children are expected," which is the reason for the new school.
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Island City's popularity among child-rearing families is due to its excellent environment. Tatsunari Mizubuchi, who moved from Hakata Ward a few years ago with his wife and three children, speaks about the attractiveness of the area: "The parks are abundant with greenery, and both the sidewalks and roads are wide and safe." Since most residents are newcomers, it is easy to form communities, and families in the same condominium often interact with each other.
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Ichiro Asano, a company employee, also moved with his family from Tokyo to Island City in 2022. Initially, he was looking for a detached house along the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line, which passes through the city center, but the excellent child-rearing environment became the deciding factor.
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Both he and his wife work entirely from home, allowing them to take care of their daughter, who attends nursery school. "Access by car to various places is also convenient. In the summer, we go swimming at nearby Shikanoshima," he says.
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Island City, where land reclamation began in 1994, was once considered a "burden" due to poor access from within Fukuoka City and slow sales of the port area plots. However, the opening of the urban expressway in 2021 dramatically improved its convenience, and by 2022, all land plots had been sold to private developers.
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In the rapidly growing city of Fukuoka, Island City, with its significant development potential, is also attractive to developers. In 2022 and 2023, Sekisui House completed the construction of the twin towers "Ocean & Forest Tower Residence," which has a total of 620 units.
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The 48-story building is the tallest condominium in Kyushu. The premium rooms on the top residential floor, the 46th floor, are 131 square meters and priced up to 189 million yen. The stunning view overlooking the Genkai Sea is a major selling point. With a design reminiscent of a luxury hotel, over 70% of the units have already been contracted.
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A representative from Sekisui House mentioned, "The contracts are going very well. Amid the skyrocketing prices of properties in the city center, Island City is gaining attention for offering larger units at more affordable prices."
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Not only child-rearing families but also wealthy individuals and foreigners buying second homes are increasingly attracted to Island City. According to the city, nearly 10% of the population living in Island City are foreign nationals. In April, an international school for young children will also open.
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