The Yatai Dream: The Story of Jeff, a Frenchman Challenging Japan’s Street Food Culture

The Yatai Dream: The Story of Jeff, a Frenchman Challenging Japan’s Street Food Culture

Kajiyamachi, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Here you’ll find the locally famous
“Kagoshima Rikshaw Yatai Street.” This yatai street was started in autumn 2024
by local restaurant owners who formed their own union. It’s starting to be recognized
as a new local attraction of Kagoshima. Each stall has its own style, But all of them focus on Kagoshima ingredients. At the back, there’s a kitchen car serving as a café bar,
with a standing area too. Jeff has arrived. “Did it go okay?” “Did you get good footage?” JKT: “Yeah, we’ve already filmed quite a bit.” Today, he’s here with his wife. Jeff currently works at a yatai in Fukuoka, But today he’s come to Kagoshima
to check out this yatai street. First, he greets Mr. Uezono, who’s in charge of PR. Jeff has a dream of becoming a yatai owner. However, in Fukuoka, yatai licenses are lottery-
based and hard to obtain. So he came to explore this yatai street in Kagoshima,
his wife’s hometown. The Rikshaw Yatai Street opens at 4 PM. It’s a weekday, but people are already showing up. They grab a couple of drinks. First—cheers! Such a good vibe. This yatai street is also very popular with the locals. However, it’s not permanent yet. The owners hope to make it a permanent fixture. The rules don’t allow them
to rent the park space permanently. So for now, they run on a set routine at the end
and start of each month. JKT: “So everyone’s hope is…” JKT: “…to build a lasting yatai culture here?” “That’s right.” “We want this to become a new local tradition in Kagoshima.” “That’s the vision we’re working toward.” “Nakasu and Kotsuki River have a similar vibe,” “So we thought—why not do yatai here too?” “I asked around like, ‘Wanna do it?’” “And everyone was like, ‘Yeah, let’s do it!’” “We just ran with that energy.” “Started talking in February, and opened by May.” “It all came together in just about three hectic months.” This park is a beloved spot for locals. It has a cozy, heartwarming atmosphere. Jeff and his wife begin strolling through the yatai. They’ve arrived at “Yatai Tamari-chan.” “Sorry for the wait. Have a drink!” Today’s the perfect day for lots of drinks. “Would you like to have a drink?” “Really? Thank you!” Time for a group cheers. “Thank you!” “Thank you! cheers!” “Welcome to Kagoshima!” Hainan-style chicken (Pak Kei). Steamed chicken served with a spicy dipping sauce. It’s the perfect drinking snack. You quickly become friends with people around you. That’s the joy of yatai culture. Sit next to someone, and you’re already friends. The owner here recently joined this yatai street. “I’m part of the second wave of vendors.” “Everyone else was part of the very first group.” “I joined in later.” “This is just my fifth day of business.” The number of yatai stalls seems to be slowly growing. The sun is starting to set. Jeff and his wife have now moved to “Yatai Micchi.” Here you can enjoy dishes like yaki-ramen and gyoza. Habu sake made in Amami Oshima. Wonder what it tastes like? “Here you are!” “Thank you so much!” It looks very light and clear. “Hey, it’s actually really good!” “Tastes great—light and easy to drink.” “Super smooth!” They’ve ordered gyoza. There was so much steam, the camera fogged up—oops! Gyoza is served! Habu sake and gyoza seem like a great combo. Yaki-ramen. It’s a must-have on any yatai menu. The aroma is amazing! Looks delicious! That’s a hefty portion. Topped with a fried egg—it’s ready! This is irresistible. Rich and flavorful—classic yatai comfort food. A pleasant summer evening. The vibe is just right. I decided to stop by “Yatai BOSS.” I ordered their most popular dish—motsu yakisoba. The smell alone gets your appetite going. That savory yakisoba sauce aroma is incredible. It’s almost ready. And it’s done! The scent of offal and sauce fills the air. The thick noodles soaked in rich sauce were amazing. Charcoal-grilled Pork tongue. Look at all that smoke! This looks delicious! JKT: “Do you run a restaurant somewhere, sir?” “Yes, there’s a shopping arcade called
Ichibangai near Kagoshima-Chuo Station.” “I currently run three shops there.” JKT: “What kind of restaurants?” “A pork-focused BBQ place, a ramen shop…” “…and an izakaya that specializes in shochu.” Jeff and his wife have moved on to
“Yatai Kanoya-chikku.” Jeff’s favorite—chicken tsukune. It has crunchy cartilage for a fun texture. This one’s made with unagi sauce—sweet and rich. Then it’s topped with cheese. And torched with a burner. Looks mouthwatering. “Thank you so much!” “Since it uses eel sauce,” “Sansho pepper goes really well with it.” “Thanks—I’ll give it a try!” “So good!!” He looks totally satisfied. “Seriously delicious.” “I forgot to bring my business cards today…” “Can we follow each other on Instagram??” He exchanges contacts with the stall owner. Jeff makes friends wherever he goes. Today turned out to be a special one. His dream of running his own yatai lives on. Maybe he pictured himself working here someday. JKT: “What do you think?” “It’s amazing!” JKT: “Seems like…” JKT: “You’re starting to think about it, huh?” “Yeah….” “This vibe is totally my thing.” “It feels like one big family here.” “I love it!” JKT: “Everyone’s so close here.” JKT: “That’s what makes it great.” “Sounds like they’ve known each other for ages.” “They’ve been friends for like ten years.” JKT: “It feels so good to see them all living together.” “It’s the best!” Night has fully fallen. A summer night quietly deepens. Orange lights glow in the nighttime park. Here you can feel the connection between people. You can feel the locals’ love for this place. The two head next door to “Yatai Koharu.” “Here you go!” “Thank you so much!” “Would you like a drink, boss?” “Let’s drink!” They pour beer into each other’s glasses. One cheers later, and they’re friends. Pork tongue. It’s ready! “Here you go!” “Thanks!” “I was surprised to see yatai culture here
in Kagoshima too.” “I’ve been thinking maybe I’ll start one here myself.” “So I came today to learn more.” “So I’ve been going around talking with everyone…” JKT: “Everyone’s so kind, aren’t they?” “They’re the best.” “Kagoshima really is amazing.” JKT: “Wait… What about Tenjin?” “Oh! That’s amazing too!” “No doubt about it!” “Tenjin’s yatai are awesome.” JKT: “They’re both great, huh?” “Yeah.” “But the fun here feels a bit different.” “It’s warmer—more heartfelt.” JKT: “Like a homey atmosphere?” “Exactly.” He really looks like he’s enjoying himself today. “That was delicious, thank you!” They’ve arrived at “Tatsuo’s Yatai.” They’re full, but time for just one last drink. The four of them raise their glasses together. The Rikshaw Yatai folks warmly welcomed Jeff. “When someone with the same passion joins us like this,” “It makes us happy—and our customers enjoy it too.” JKT: “Are the current vendors mostly people
who already have restaurants?” “Yeah, that tends to be the case.” “If there’s downtime,
they have to find other income or jobs.” “So having a longer-term setup
or year-round operation would be ideal.” “That’s what we’re really hoping for.” “We want to keep talking with the city
and ask for their support.” “Building something from nothing is tough…” “So we want to lay a solid foundation.” “We really hope to make it happen.” The night’s business is coming to a close. Jeff eagerly exchanged contact info
with all the stall owners. “Thanks so much for everything!” “Really appreciate it!” “Thank you for all your kindness today!” JKT: “So, what did you think of Kagoshima’s yatai?” “Honestly, it was incredible.” JKT: “Right? It really was.” “Everyone was so kind—I was blown away.” “Just look at this atmosphere.” “Seriously, everyone just…” “…draws you in.” “It’s got such a great vibe.” “What I really want is to connect
with regulars—local folks.” “That’s the kind of fun I’m after.” “Fukuoka or Kagoshima—
both seem like great places to do it.” “But eventually…” “I’d like to settle down and raise a family…
maybe Kagoshima is the place.” JKT: “Thanks for today!” “Thank you!” “Great work today!” Down in southern Kyushu,
the Rikshaw Yatai movement was born in Kagoshima. The dream to create a new yatai culture— —is slowly, steadily beginning to spread. What decision Jeff will make remains to be seen… But I’ll keep rooting for him, no matter what. Thank you to everyone
from the Rikshaw Yatai in Kagoshima!

Jeff, a Frenchman living in Japan, dreams of becoming a yatai (traditional Japanese food stall) owner.
In this documentary, we follow his visit to the Rikshaw Yatai Street in Kagoshima, a new street food movement started by local restaurant owners.
From lively food stalls to encounters with warm-hearted people, Jeff explores what it really means to chase the Yatai Dream in Japan.

This is not just about food—it’s about culture, community, and one man’s journey to find his place in Japan’s street food world.

✨ Featuring: Kagoshima Rikshaw Yatai, Japanese street food, Jeff’s story
📍 Location: Kagoshima City, Japan

[Kagoshima Rearcart Yatai Official Instagram]
https://www.instagram.com/kagoshima_rearcar_yatai/

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日本に暮らすフランス人・ジェフには「屋台オーナーになる」という夢があります。
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料理との出会い、人とのつながりを通して、ジェフが追いかける「屋台の夢」とは何なのかを描きます。

これは食の物語であると同時に、文化・コミュニティ、そして一人の人間の挑戦の物語です。

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