What an energetic night in Fukuoka. We welcomed seven travelers from the United States and met in Tenjin before setting out together toward the yatai lights of Tenjin and Nakasu.

Our first stop was one of our trusted food stalls, where the small counter quickly became the centre of the evening. The group tried yakitori fresh from the grill, mentaiko tempura, warming oden, and a final bowl of rich tonkotsu ramen.

The best part was not one particular dish. It was watching everyone relax, compare favourites, talk with the people around them, and discover how social a Fukuoka yatai can feel when someone local helps with the first step.

Thank you for bringing such wonderful energy from the USA. We hope this night becomes one of the stories you keep from Japan—and that we can welcome you back to Fukuoka again someday.