basic information

Fukuoka's open air food stands (yatai) are possibly the city's best known symbol. There are over 150 yatai across the city, with the highest concentration in the centrally located Nakagawa and Tenjin districts.

Typical dishes to be enjoyed at yatai are grilled chicken skewers (yakitori), hot pot (oden) and most famously Hakata Ramen, a local noodle dish featuring relatively thin ramen noodles in a pork bone based soup (tonkotsu).

Various alcoholic drinks are also available, and help make the yatai a great place to get in touch with the locals, although many of the "locals" happen to be Japanese tourists visiting Fukuoka from other parts of Japan.

Yatai are typically open from around 6pm to around 2am, except when the weather is very bad. Many stands remain closed on one day of the week. The closure day varies from stand to stand, but is often Sunday.

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how to get there

The best spots for a yatai visit are along Naka River around the Nakasu entertainment district, which is located on an islet on the Naka River. The closest subway stations are Nakasu Kawabata Station and Tenjin Station.

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2nd of 6 most visited sights in Fukuoka.
151st of 430 most visited sights nationwide.

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International Hostel Khaosan Fukuoka Fukuoka's one and only budget guest house. Free internet, shared kitchen, non smoking.

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