Nightclubs, bars and a red-light district celebrate the wicked ways of the city center, while karaoke and arcade games keep teens and families engrossed.

Draped across an island in central Fukuoka, the neon lights of Nakasu illuminate its underground scene and entertainment hub. Here you’ll find the city’s red-light district and iconic riverside yatai food stalls. Revel in the area’s naughty side and appreciate the sights and sounds of the local culture.

Follow the narrow streets running through the center of this thrilling neighborhood. Forming a moat around the island is a pair of tributaries of the Naka River. As you walk along the tree-lined avenues, appreciate the vistas of the colorful towers and the Fukuhaku Deai Bridge. Have a picnic at a table under one of the umbrellas on this wide pedestrian bridge. Notice reflections of the neon lights and lanterns shimmering on the water’s dark surface at night.

Stroll along the riverside promenade and stop to eat at one of the yatai, open-air stands that provide a traditional and personal culinary experience. These stalls and kiosks generally seat about seven or eight people at counters, meaning you’re likely to be eating alongside fellow diners.

Chat with your neighbor under hanging red lanterns, as you sample the ramen noodles, pork bone soup and beer. Each yatai has its own opening time and menu. Continue along the bustling streets and check out the various arcade game halls. Lining the paths are all types of street traders and nightclub promoters.

Showcasing the city’s more adult themes is the red-light district, with its strip bars and salacious shops at the southern end of Nakusa Island. Just east of the island watch a kabuki performance at the Hakataza Theater and browse the pieces adorning the walls of the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum across the street. Head south to see the Kushida Shrine amid a cluster of other shrines. Shop nearby at Canal City or just view its fountains with music and light shows.

Nakasu is primarily on an island between the branches of the Naka River, in central Fukuoka. Take the metro system to the Nakasukawabata Station and get around this quirky area on foot. Once here, explore other surrounding districts such as Tenjin, Hakata and Maizuru.