Fukuoka's open air food stands (屋台, Yatai) are possibly the city's best known symbol. Yatai can generally seat about seven or eight people and provide an atmospheric outdoor environment to enjoy various foods that are generally simple and filling. There are dozens of yatai scattered across Fukuoka, but the best place to find them is on the southern end of Nakasu Island. Located in the middle of the city, Nakasu Island has a long row of around 20 yatai that are attractively situated along the water.

Typical dishes 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 close one day of the week. The closure day varies from stand to stand, but is often Sunday. There can be waiting times for popular stands, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.

Getting there and around

Yatai are located throughout the city center, and visitors will likely come across some while walking through busy tourist areas in the evening.

The row of stalls on Nakasu Island is a short walk from Kushida Shrine Station along the Nanakuma Subway Line (1 minute, 210 yen from Hakata Station).

How to get to and around Fukuoka

Hotels around Fukuoka

Top rated in Fukuoka
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    • Hotel Il Palazzo
      Luxury
      Just an 8-minute walk from Nakasu Kawabata Station, first project in Japan by internationally recognized Italian architect and designer, Aldo Rossi, ホテル イル パラッツォ features contemporary design and 2 dining options. The hotel offers rooms with free WiFi and a glass-encaged bathroom. The 24-hour reception at Il Palazzo makes guests enjoy a leisurely stay. Il Palazzo is a 5-minute stroll to downtown area Tenjin and a 10-minute walk to entertainment complex Canal City Hakata. Fukuoka Airport is a 20-minute drive away.
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    • Hotel Great Morning
      Luxury
      Conveniently located in the Hakata Ward district of Fukuoka, Hotel Great Morning is set 200 metres from Tsunashiki Temman-gu Shrine, 400 metres from Hakata Traditional Craft and Design Museum and 400 metres from Kawabata Shopping Arcade. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a concierge service and luggage storage space. The property is 400 metres from Reisen Park, and within 3.5 km of the city centre. At the hotel, all rooms have a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. The rooms come with a kettle, while some rooms also offer a kitchen with a dishwasher, a microwave and a stovetop. All guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Popular points of interest near Hotel Great Morning include Ryugu-ji Temple, Hakatamachiya Furusatokan Museum and Zendo-ji Temple. Fukuoka Airport is 4 km from the property.
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    • Miyako Hotel Hakata
      Luxury
      Open from September 2019, only 150 metres from JR Hakata Train Station, Miyako Hotel Hakata offers stylish rooms with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. The famous Nanzoin Temple is a 30-minute train ride away. The air-conditioned rooms at Miyako Hotel Hakata come with pyjamas and slippers. Guests can relax in the bathtub or watch a pay TV programme. Miyako Hotel Hakata is a 3-minute walk from the popular electronic megastore Yodobashi Hakata, and it is a 15-minute walk from Tocho-ji Temple. The Tenjin area is a 5-minute subway ride from nearby Hakata Station, and Fukuoka Airport is just a 5-minute subway ride away. Fukuoka Castle is 5.5 km away, and the lively Nakasu area is 2.5 km from the property. A bar and cafe lounge are also on site.
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    • European House Reisen
      Budget-friendly
      European House Reisen features accommodation within 3.4 km of the centre of Fukuoka, with free WiFi, and a kitchen with a microwave, a fridge and a stovetop. This 2-star aparthotel offers a lift and luggage storage space. The aparthotel has family rooms. Fitted with a terrace, the units offer air conditioning and feature a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with walk-in shower and slippers. Kitchenware and kettle are also offered. At the aparthotel, units have bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Reisen Park, Hakata Traditional Craft and Design Museum and Ryugu-ji Temple. Fukuoka Airport is 4 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Marinoa Resort Fukuoka
      Luxury
      Looking over Hakata Bay and a yacht harbor, Hotel Marinoa Resort Fukuoka features spacious guest rooms with an ocean view, a relaxation spa and a stylish French restaurant. This hotel is located right next to Marinoa City Fukuoka outlet shopping mall. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Each room is fitted with a comfortable sofa and a balcony, and in-room facilities include a flat-screen TV, a fridge and an electric kettle. Some rooms feature a DVD player or a coffee machine. Guests can enjoy an ocean view from the balcony or while soaking in a bath. Two complimentary bottles of mineral water are provided daily. Fukuoka Marinoa Resort Hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, car rentals and laundry services. Drinks and snacks vending machines are available on site. Free parking is available. The hotel is a 40-minute bus ride from JR Hakata Shinkansen (bullet train) Station. Fukuoka Tower and Momochi Bayside Park can both be reached within a 15-minute bus ride. On-site Bleu Ciel restaurant serves original French dishes prepared with local seafood and other seasonal ingredients.
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    • The358 SORA
      Luxury
      The358 SORA features a fitness centre, shared lounge, a terrace and restaurant in Fukuoka. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, a concierge service and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 2.9 km from Kashihama Beach. At the hotel, every room has a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. All units will provide guests with a fridge. The358 SORA provides a range of facilities such as a spa and wellness centre including a sauna. Island City Central Park is 1.3 km from the accommodation, while Najima Castle is 4.5 km away. Fukuoka Airport is 11 km from the property.
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    • The Ritz-Carlton Fukuoka
      Luxury
      Featuring a fitness centre, a restaurant as well as a bar, The Ritz-Carlton Fukuoka is set in the centre of Fukuoka, 500 metres from Tenjin Station. This 5-star hotel offers room service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The accommodation features a concierge service, luggage storage space and currency exchange for guests. The hotel offers certain units with city views, and all rooms come with a coffee machine. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at The Ritz-Carlton Fukuoka. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Fukuoka, like cycling. Popular points of interest near The Ritz-Carlton Fukuoka include The Shops, Iwataya and Solaria Stage. Fukuoka Airport is 5 km away.
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    • Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Fukuoka
      Luxury
      Only a 3-minute walk from Tenjin Subway Station and offering direct access to it, Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Fukuoka provides Western-style accommodations and free WiFi access. The air-conditioned rooms feature carpeted floors, a flat-screen satellite TV and a air purifier. A fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags are included in each. Room wears are provided for all guests, while the en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. Services such as dry cleaning and currency exchange are provided at the 24-hour front desk. Hotel Nishitetsu Solaria is a 10-minute drive from Ohori Park and JR Hakata Train Station. Canal City Hakata is a 5-minute drive away and Fukuoka Airport is a 15-minute drive away.
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    • THE BLOSSOM HAKATA Premier
      Luxury
      Ideally set in the centre of Fukuoka, THE BLOSSOM HAKATA Premier features air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and private parking. Well located in the Hakata Ward district, this hotel offers a restaurant, as well as a sauna. Sugawara Shrine is less than 1 km away and Meiji Park is a 9-minute walk from the hotel. All rooms at the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a safety deposit box. At THE BLOSSOM HAKATA Premier the rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. The daily breakfast offers buffet, American or Asian options. Non-stop advice is available at the reception, where staff speak English and Japanese. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Fujita Park, Kushida Shrine and Hakata Gion Yamakasa. Fukuoka Airport is 4 km from the property.
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    • A.T. Hotel Hakata
      Mid-range
      Conveniently situated in Fukuoka, A.T. Hotel Hakata provides air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and private parking. The property is around 1.8 km from Ninjin Park, 1.9 km from Hie Park and 1.9 km from Konko Church - Minami Ward. Certain rooms at the property include a balcony with a city view. At the hotel, each room is equipped with a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. Certain rooms include a kitchen with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. A.T. Hotel Hakata offers 3-star accommodation with a hot tub and terrace. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Higashisumiyoshi Park, Otowa Park and Mizuho Park. Fukuoka Airport is 2 km away.
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