Nakasu is Fukuoka's bright, slightly louche entertainment island, squeezed between the Naka and Hakata rivers. By day it can feel ordinary, but after dark the signs come on, office workers drift toward bars, and the riverside food stalls give the district its best reason to linger.
The yatai are the draw for most travellers: compact open-air counters serving ramen, grilled skewers, and drinks with very little ceremony. It is an easy place to sample Fukuoka at street level, especially if you are willing to point, squeeze in, and let the evening run a little late.