Fukuoka Drinking Tours(3)

Our time with Bruce was one of the highlights of Fukuoka, and helped us fall in love with the city! Bruce has serious Anthony Bourdain vibes. We were joined by guides Tony and Toki, and together had a fantastic evening of food, history, conversation, and basking in Bruce’s clear love for the city and its people. I’m vegetarian, my spouce is not, and at each stop Bruce made sure we were both happy and taken care of. Mochi kinchaku oden, freshly stir fried vegetables, yakisoba, so many options!! Our tour was a Sunday evening, so certain stalls were closed and our plans flexed and flowed beautifully throughout the evening. It led us to a couple of unplanned yatai that were so delicious, we used the skills Bruce taught us to go back again and again on other nights. Toki even taught us the local phase for delicious, “ばりうま！” which thrilled everyone we used it on. The food was ridiculously good, and all the stalls we visited were filled with locals. Afterwards we went to Bruce’s favorite most scenic 7-Eleven in the city for the best ice cream bars to round out a phenomenal evening. We’ll treasure our memories of Fukuoka.

Bruce was an exceptional tour guide—easy going, knowledgeable, and deeply connected to the heart of Fukuoka’s yatai culture. His rapport with the yatai operators was immediately evident; it felt like we were being welcomed not just by vendors, but by friends. Some of the regulars greeted him with genuine joy, a testament to the relationships he’s built up at these establishments. Fellow travelers were impressed by his effortless Japanese, which comes as no surprise given his 40 years of living in Fukuoka. With Bruce leading the way, the experience felt less like a tour and more like an insider’s night out in the city, experiencing the original and less touristy yatai scene as well as some of the super popular spots. Just be warned, (4) yatai stalls is a lot of food!

My wife and I booked the Fukuoka Yatai Food Tour in Hakata, and it was a delightful experience that I highly recommend. Bruce met us at our hotel to start the tour and was friendly and knowledgeable, making the tour both informative and enjoyable. The variety of street food was impressive, from delicious Hakata ramen to perfectly grilled yakitori and more. Bruce takes you to the best yatai stalls and has a relationship with all of the chefs, which makes you feel welcome and well taken care of. The tour has a great atmosphere, and Bruce makes it a point to show the social side of the yatai experience as well - starting conversations with other patrons at the stalls and helping you to meet people from all over the world who are also there to enjoy the food and have fun. This helps to make the experience even more special. Bruce’s passion for Fukuoka's street food culture was infectious, adding depth to the tour. If you're in Fukuoka and want a taste of authentic local cuisine while exploring the city's lively streets, this food tour is a must-do!

Our experience was fantastic! Bruce and Tomoko were exceptional. This is a must do when in Fukuoka. We wanted to experience the Yatai stalls but felt a little intimidated doing them by ourselves so we booked the tour and we’re so glad we did! We highly recommend to book this to get the real local experience. We made two new friends who helped us enjoy delicious food and were delightful company! 10 out 10. It was an unforgettable evening and an extra-special birthday for my wife.

Bruce is a master host. Not only did he take us to amazing yatais (we're still dreaming about ramen and mochi-wrapped bacon), he provided just the right mix of information, entertainment, and good old-fashioned conversation throughout the evening. Also, his longstanding relationships with the yatai operators were evident - and heartwarming to see. Touring with Bruce was definitely a highlight of our trip!