Yatai (In Fukuoka)

As long as you order a drink food will be served, so you don’t need to be able to speak Japanese. It is cheaper than ordering a drink and a dish separately, and it is also a “clear-cut” bill, so it is highly recommended.

　

This yatai ticket can be used at 13 restaurants in the Tenjin and Nakasu areas. The following is the official website, which shows what kind of stores you can use it at.

Below are the places the tickets are sold.

• Fukuoka City Tourist Information (Hakata Station + Tenjin)
  • https://yokanavi.com/en/tourist-information/
• Travel Recommend: Fukuoka Airport International Arrival Gate (1F)
• Ticket Port Fukuoka Parco: Fukuoka PARCO main building 5th floor, 2-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
• Hakata Excel Hotel Tokyu: 4-6-7 Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
• Hotel New Otani Hakata: 1-1-2 Watanabe-dori, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
• Henna Hotel Fukuoka Hakata：5-4-19 Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Things to keep in mind

Menu

The standard menu at yatai stalls includes ramen, yaki-ramen, oden, yakitori, and other cooked dishes.

• Japanese law prohibits the serving of raw food (sashimi, salad, etc.) at yatai stalls.

Ordering

Although foreign languages are not widely spoken at yatai stalls, about 60% of the stalls now offer multilingual menus, so you can point to what you want and place your order.

Closed

Most stores are open on Wednesdays and other weekdays, but it varies from store to store.

If there is a restaurant you want to visit, it is best to call before stepping out to make sure it is open after 3:00 pm.

Also, if the weather is very bad, such as during a typhoon, the store will be closed.

Open

Most stalls are open from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. the next day.

The busiest time for yatai is from 8 to 10 p.m., when locals come after work; visit outside these hours and there is no waiting time.

Resesrvations

Most of the stalls do not accept reservations, but some of them do.

If you decide on a place you want to go, it is a good idea to check in advance whether or not reservations can be made.

• Having said that,since reservations are basically made by phone call in Japanese, it may be a bit difficult for foreigners such as yourself to get a reservation.

Cost

For 2 people, ordering a drink each and two or three dishes comes out to about 2,000 yen per person.

Not much different from restaurants in town, or even a bit more expensive.

This is the biggest difference from street stalls in Southeast Asia, where prices are sgnificantly lower than in restaurants.

Payment

Be aware that most stores accept cash only and credit cards are not accepted.

Also, paying with 10,000 yen bills is also frowned upon because the store often does not have enough change and it takes a lot of time and effort to make the change, so be sure to bring more than enough 1,000-yen bills with you.

Bathrooms

The shops do not have any; however, there are public restrooms and convenience stores near most vendors, so ask the staff for the location. It is better to use the restroom beforehand.

Shop Rules

Some restaurants charge a cover charge including a small appetizer, and some require you to order one dish.

If you are concerned, check before entering .

Overcharging

It may be hard to believe, but in the Nakasu area there are sadly a few shops that will target and take advantage of tourists like yourself and overcharge you.

If you follow the following guidelines you will be safe.

1. Choose shops that display their prices.
2. Don’t order items not on the menu.
3. Don’t stay a long time.
4. Don’t go super drunk.