Starlit Tales from a Nagano Tent Village

Daycare Center in Fukuoka's Nightlife District

Nakasu in Fukuoka Prefecture is one of Japan's largest nightlife districts. Tucked away among the 2,600 dining and entertainment establishments, here is a daycare center open from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. the next morning. During the day, workers at the nearby office district drop off their children, while in the evening a steady stream of parents who work in Nakasu leave their kids in its care. The center has a busy period around midnight as parents pick up their children. They include an elegant restaurant manager wearing a kimono, and single parents working hard to earn enough to raise their children. For 3 days, we listened to the parents and children whose lives are supported by this daycare center.