Local officials, residents in Fukuoka trying to adapt "yatai" food business to new social trends

September 29, 2016


Local officials, residents in Fukuoka trying to adapt "yatai" food business to new social trends

A food service using "yatai" mobile stalls by vendors in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, has become a part of the city's food culture over years. Local officials and interested citizens pin hopes on the yatai business as the city's tourist asset, expecting it will help further enliven the city, but the food business is faced with a variety of problems, particularly allegedly poor hygiene, obstacles to traffic on the sidewalk and account-related oomplaints. Allegations also have indicated links with some crime syndicate members.
Fukuoka, the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture, the biggest in the southwestern Japan region of Kyushu, came up with an ordinance in 2013 requiring yatai vendors to follow proper ways to maintain hygiene, clearly put up menu and price lists and observe regulations on business hours.
The current style of yatai food services in Fukuoka dates back to the years just after the end of the Pacific War. Yatai vendors in the city served junk foods like noodles and grilled chicken mainly for laborers working at ports and people in amusement areas at that time, but after that, they expanded their business among salaried workers and other ordinary people, on the strength of cheap prices and user friendliness.
In recent years, many tourists are seen enjoying their time at yatai stalls on busy streets in riverside and office areas.
Yatai stalls in Fukuoka can be found in three districts, Tenjin, Nakasu-Haruyoshi and Nagahama.
Tenjin, in the heart of Fukuoka, hosts many shopping and office buildings. When it begins to get dark, yatai vendors start fabricating their shops at designated locations, usually in front of bank offices, clinics and big stores. Passers-by carefully get through beside yatai stalls, while yatai fans stand in line before famous yatai stalls.
As of 2014, about 120 yatai vendors were operating in Fukuoka at designated locations. This represented about 40 percent of such yatai vendors across Japan.
In line with the new ordinance, the city is attracting applications for newly opening yatai stalls from interested citizens. The city plans to select 28 new yatai vendors, hoping to see better, more attractive styles of yatai business to be proposed. A briefing session held  in the middle of September for prospective applicants is said to have attracted over 170 people, including some foreigners living in the city. Successful applicants will be announced in late December after examinations and interviews.
The acceptance of applications has become possible because part of the existing vendors will give up their licenses for difficulties in continuing under the new rules. New licensees will enter the market in April, as yatai fans and supporters are eagerly waiting to see their menus and styles.