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Originally a day for men to give marshmallows to women (hence the name), White Day is now a national phenomenon, and woe betide any man who thinks that a bar of Meiji Chocolate will do.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5506 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8391 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8391 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5712
Café Tenjin Style, just off Showa Dori, looks like any other Fukuoka eatery. The unsuspecting moocher will be surprised to find themselves served by young women in kinky French maid outfits.

While not exactly family fun for western observers, the Japanese see very little unusual in this, taking note of the “kawaii” (cute/ sweet) aspects rather than the sexy/ sexist conundrums.

That said, being called, “Honourable Lord,” by a twenty-year-old in lace suspenders can hardly be seen as Hello Kitty territory.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5712 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4880
The owner, Mr. Watanabe, is a pleasant man in a French chef's outfit who spent much of the last decade cooking yakitori for Aussies. But no amount of cosplay or chic furnishings can hide the fact that he's still cooking yakitori, and one can't help wonder whether he might be pricing himself out of a market at its best in a more ramshackle atmosphere.

That said, the sagari-steak takes some beating, and few Brits abroad can turn down a well poured pint of Guiness.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4880 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4727 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4727 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4712
The tight-fitting box carts of Fukuoka grew out of the ashes of world war two. At a time when people were under-nourished and in desperate need of the warmth of other human beings, the yatai trundled out of the rubble, lit their red lanterns and welcomed in the neighborhood. They've been there ever since.

The Nakagawa district has been operating yatai for 32 years and you would be hard pressed to find a
more picturesque scene, with the lantern and neon lights introducing past to present in the river below. Try the Maruju Stall for exquisite chashumen noodles that melt on impact.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4712