Hienadz Vardanyan 
Japan’s history with ramen is certainly very extensive. The nation’s favorite dish has a long and complex history that you may not otherwise expect.
How could a bowl of noodles in broth be so interesting? Well, the hugely popular ramen museum in Shin-Yokohama, Tokyo, is here to prove that ramen is most definitely interesting, and our review will show you why!
This highly-themed museum is a must-visit for ramen enthusiasts or simply anyone planning to visit Tokyo anytime soon.
It is one of the city’s most popular attractions, and any visit will show you exactly why. We were thoroughly impressed during our visit to the museum, and we came out of the other end having created countless shared memories.
But what is the place actually like? Does it stand up to the immense hype that it has? Or is it merely a large excuse for a fancy ramen restaurant? Join us below as we explore the museum to see whether this culinary museum is really worth the visit.
Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum
Price
Luckily, the Ramen Museum will not cost you a lot to visit. This makes it a perfect attraction to visit if you are on a budget. For a one-day adult ticket, you can expect to pay 310 yen, which is around $2.50.
For a child or a senior over 60 years of age, you can expect to pay around 100 yen per guest. This is around 80 cents.
If you are attending the museum as part of a group that is larger than 15 people, then you can actually earn a discount of around 260 yen per person for adults, and 50 yen per person for children and seniors!
This makes it a great place to come for group outings!
This admission price is incredibly generous, and we were truly surprised at how affordable the museum was despite all of the amazing things going on inside.
One of the best things about tickets for the ramen museum in Shin-Yokohama is that the tickets are valid for the entire day that they are purchased for.
This means that you can return to the museum at any point during the day.
That way you can very easily work your visit to the museum around your other plans for the day. This makes the museum an easy recommendation already!
Opening And Closing Time
The shin-yokohama ramen museum from tokyo is quite generous with its opening hours, with it being open from 11 am to 10 pm every day.
This means that you can visit the museum in the first half of the day, then head out elsewhere and return for more delicious ramen before the museum closes at 10 pm.
This is incredibly useful, as it allows you to easily fit it into your schedule, and we were really pleased with how easy it was to come and go from the place.
Location
Now that you’ve heard about how great the ramen museum is, and how easy it is to access it, you’re likely ready to head in and experience it for yourself, right?
If so, then you have come to the right place. Let’s find out where the museum is based, and how you can find your way there from many other local facilities.
The Ramen Museum is located within the Kohoku Ward in the Shinyokohama district. This is a very popular district close to the heart of Tokyo.
If you are looking for somewhere that is close to the action when exploring Tokyo, then this is an ideal location.
If you want to utilize the Shinyokohama station and its proximity, you can use the blue line of the Municipal subway which runs from the station!
This is another area where the Ramen Museum shines quite greatly. The museum is not difficult to find and is just a short walk from the Shin-Yokohama station.
Once you have arrived at the Shin-Yokohama station, head to the underground level and follow all of the signs that point you towards exit 8.
Once you head out from exit 8, all you then need to do is head left at the next intersection you encounter, and then a right at the second.
You will notice the ramen museum japan tokyo right away once you are near it, as you will recognize the iconic box-shaped exterior with an animatronic bowl of ramen just outside the front door.
Make sure to grab a picture with the animatronic as it makes for a perfect keepsake!
This means that not only is it incredibly easy to pay a visit to the ramen museum, thanks to the low ticket price, but it is also easy to visit thanks to its easy access, which is facilitated by the museum’s official guide map.
But, now we’re willing to bet that you’re wondering exactly how to get to the ramen museum from some of the best hotels in the area.
Planning a day trip to the museum and just want to head right there from your hotel? Then make sure to read onward down below!
What To Do In Yokohama Ramen Museum
This is what we’re really here to find out about, right?
There are so many interesting things to see and do within the shin Yokohama ramen museum Tokyo, so let’s take a look at some of these things so that you can know the best places to head to once you enter.
Century Southern Hotel Tokyo To Ramen Museum
Are you staying at the Century Southern Hotel, and now want to find your way to the Ramen Museum? Don’t worry, it’s only a short journey, and it is quite easy to find your way!
The best way to get there is to hop into a taxi. The journey from your hotel to the museum will take around 50 minutes.
If you have a car, you can also choose to drive to the museum, though you should consider that you may have to pay slightly more for parking.
The train is also another option if you want to speed up the process. Grab a train from Yoyogi station, not far from the hotel, and head down to Minatomirai station.
The Knot Tokyo Shinjuku To Ramen Museum
The journey from the Knot Tokyo hotel in Shinjuku to the Ramen Museum is luckily not too arduous and can be done with a quick 50-minute taxi journey.
Grabbing a taxi is a recommended option for traveling to the museum, as it would take considerable time to make the journey on foot, and attempting to park near the museum can be occasionally difficult.
Traveling between The Knot and the museum via train is also an easier option, though the journey will take instead around 70 minutes.
Head onto the train at Nishi-Shinjuku station and head all the way to Minatomirai station. This journey is nice and simple, which makes it perfect for tourists.
The Gallery
Upon entering the museum you will find a truly impressive gallery of artifacts and historical documents that chart the immense rise of ramen in Japan and its eclectic history throughout the nation.
It really helps you to get a great sense of how the dish continues to be so popular amongst the Japanese people, and the wild history the dish has had.
We found ourselves thoroughly blown away by how many things there were to see in the gallery area alone.
We were able to take our time and casually stroll through the gallery to take in the history of the humble ramen.
There are several different displays that you can view in the gallery, including a display of the original bowls used to cook ramen back in the early days.
You can even learn more about the origins of specific types of noodles, how they were once made, and how those methods compare to now.
The gallery even touches on the very origins of ramen, by tying it back to its roots in the Muromachi period, around 1338, when noodles were first introduced to the country by neighboring China.
You’ll come out the other end of the gallery with more knowledge of noodles and ramen than you probably would have ever thought possible!
And it wouldn’t be a true showcase of Japan’s obsession with ramen without also touching on the history of instant ramen.
When instant ramen was first invented it truly sent shockwaves through Japan, and instant ramen continues to be one of their largest domestic products to this day.
The gallery charts the history of instant ramen from the early days all the way until now.
There are plenty of awesomely preserved instant ramen packages to give you an immense sense of how massively popular instant ramen was and continues to be!
The Gift Shop
Adjacent to the gallery area is the extensive gift shop which is full of incredible keepsakes that you can take home to remember your visit.
Gifts include ramen bowls, chopsticks, and other ramen-making tools that you can keep to use yourself, or give to a loved one.
One of the coolest things we found in the gift shop was the awesome brand maker, which allows you to create your very own ramen brand!
This is a really fun and unique way to make a one-of-a-kind souvenir that would also make for a perfect gift.
The Main Hall
Our jaws dropped to the floor the second we stepped into the main area of the museum. The whole area is themed after 1950s downtown Tokyo and it is simply stunning.
Every single detail is rendered with absolute care and passion for the history of Tokyo.
The main museum area is designed to be explored with plenty of beautifully rendered alleyways and small nooks and crannies all over. We recommend diving right in and exploring every inch.
The whole area is so wonderfully realized that it totally does feel like you’ve just stepped right into the past and that you are now exploring Tokyo as it once was when ramen first began to take off in the country.
Small details such as old rusty mopeds leaned up against walls, old film billboards, and street lamps really help to sell the sense of immersion that the museum has become famous for.
We also really appreciated the lighting in the venue. The roof is painted with beautiful white clouds to sell the idea of an open sky right above you.
The lights that are scattered all across the main area are warm and cozy, which helps to further sell the immersion as if you have headed down a secret back alley full of warm and welcoming neighbors all eagerly snacking on some delicious ramen.
The lights have a slight yellow glow, which suggests the idea that the museum is suspended in a permanent time of sunset.
And the practical elements that make up the museum aren’t the only things that sell the immersion.
Dotted throughout the main area friendly cast members dressed up in fun costumes and playing specific characters, such as a bumbling policeman.
These cast members help to further sell the idea that you have walked right into the past. The cast members are also very willing to interact with guests, which can help to create even greater memories of your trip.
Across the main themed area are a number of functioning ramen stores to which you can visit and grab your own bowl of tasty and fulfilling ramen.
But that’s not all! While you are wandering around the themed area, also make sure to look around for other small shops and curiosities, such as small cafes and candy shops.
This street has become very popular with many Japanese people, as it often reminds them of their childhoods and heading down to the local store to pick up candy and other sweet treats!
We were able to walk around the main area for so long just getting lost in all the rich detail all across it.
We can still vividly remember some of the interesting hidden features we found hiding behind every nook and cranny.
And when we were done exploring, we were led directly to easily one of the best parts of the museum. The food itself!
Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum Menu
Situated within the very center of the main themed area is a sizable seating area where you can sit down to enjoy some of the best ramen that Tokyo has to offer.
Trust us when we say that the ramen on offer at this museum will definitely blow your mind.
Before we look at the menu items, it is worth mentioning that the museum also allows you to choose vegetarian options for all of the popular ramen dishes, which makes this a perfect place for vegetarians to come to experience the glory of ramen.
The ramen on the menus are also priced at around 1,000 yen each at all of the vendors.
Though this may be a slightly higher price than many other ramen joints, it is worth paying the extra for the sheer perfection that the museum offers across its menus.
Amongst the many ramen vendors in the museum, Tondo also offers children’s-size ramen which are perfect for any little ones that are also attending the museum and want to experience ramen for themselves.
Let’s take a look at some of our favorites from our visit to the museum.
Ryu Shanghai Honten
The signature ramen dish available at the museum is the Ryu Shanghai Honten. Wow. This dish features a wonderful miso-based broth with plenty of seafood flavors throughout.
The noodles included in this ramen are incredibly thick, which makes them nice to chew on, especially considering that they perfectly absorb the juices from the broth.
Alongside the noodles are some chashu pork slices and naruto, which help to give the dish a great sense of texture and also help to further fill it with amazing flavor sensations.
You can also choose to remove the pork entirely from the dish.
Finally, the dish is finished off with a small scoop of raw miso which is placed right at the center of the bowl and slowly melts away through the dish.
This helps to give the ramen an occasional spicy kick that keeps it interesting until the very last drop.
Rishiri Ramen Miraku
The base broth of this ramen is made from scorched soy sauce, which helps to give it a truly immense and powerful kick in your mouth. Your tastebuds will immediately light up, and you will find yourself fully satisfied when chowing down.
The ramen has a great combination of savory flavors, and the wavy noodles deep within the broth perfectly absorb all of these flavors, so every single bite is enjoyable and satisfying.
Ryukyu Shinmen Tondou
This amazing ramen dish comes straight from Okinawa, and only uses ingredients that have been sourced from the area.
The soup is slightly lighter than that found in dishes such as the Rishiri Ramen Miraku, but this allows the ingredients such as the beautifully cooked eggs or the soft shachu pork to really shine through.
Things To Do Around Ramen Museum
There are also plenty of other attractions near the ramen museum that are worth visiting, as well as other museums based around similar subjects that are worth checking out for noodle aficionados!
Cup Noodles Museum
Many tourists to Japan often find themselves getting a little bit confused between two very similar-sounding ramen museums.
Of course, there is the museum that we have been focusing on, The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, but there is also the Cup Noodles Museum.
The Cup Noodles Museum is focused entirely on the massive Cup Noodles brand and features a number of its own attractions that are worth seeing for yourself.
今日は日産スタジアムのプールに行ってきた！
ここ市営なのに流れるプールとかウォータースライダーあるの。
最高！またいく！ pic.twitter.com/cEcqcqnd8E— うらりん＠7歳娘 (@poshet0315) July 27, 2019
Cup Noodles Museum Price
Want to head to the Cup Noodle Museum? Luckily, the price of admission is quite low, so you don’t have to spend too much.
For an adult, admission to the Cup Noodle Museum is around 500 yen per person. Those in High School or younger will be admitted for free.
Included at the museum is an awesome attraction that allows you to create your very own personalized Cup Noodle! This is known as the ‘My Cup Noodle Factory’, and it is so much fun to visit.
You can choose from a massive number of soups, and combine them with your own choice of toppings to create your dream ramen flavor. There are upwards of 5,460 flavor combinations that you can choose from!
Cup Noodles Museum Location
The Cup Noodles Museum is located around Yokohama and is not too far from the Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum.
It takes around 25 minutes by car and 40 minutes by train to head from the Ramen Museum to the Cup Noodle Museum, so if you want to have a noodle-centric day it’s quite easy.
The Instant Ramen Museum, on the other hand, is located in Ikeda, in the city of Osaka.
Cup Noodles Museum Opening And Closing Time
Can’t wait to also add the Cup Noodles Museum to your next agenda for your Japan trip? Great!
But first, you’re going to need to know exactly what times the Museum is open so that you can make the most of your time visiting it!
The Cup Noodle Museum is open from 10 AM to 6 PM every day, aside from Tuesdays, which are the only non-business days that the Museum has.
This opening and closing time is nice and generous, though you will definitely want to make sure to visit the Museum with plenty of time to spare.
The last admission to the Museum is at 5 PM, so you will want to make sure that you set aside some adequate time within which to pay a visit.
Nui Hostel To Cup Ramen Museum Tokyo
If you are staying at the Nui Hostel in Tokyo, and you want to visit the Cup Noodle museum, you should try to catch a taxi or use the train to get there. By taxi, it will take you around 50 minutes, whereas by train it will take around 70 minutes.
If you are heading there via train, then you should get the train from Kuramae Station, which is near to the hostel, and get the train to Minatomirai Station. From there, it is just a few steps until you reach the Museum!
Instant Ramen Museum Tokyo Vs. Osaka
As well as the Instant Ramen Museum in Tokyo, there is also an Instant Ramen Museum in Osaka.
Those who are planning trips to Japan often wonder which is most worthy of their time, which one offers the best number of experiences for the price, and what actually are the fundamental differences between them?
Let’s see.
What Is The Difference?
The most major difference between the two Ramen Museums is that the Yokohama version is much bigger, and thus has a slightly larger ticket price at around 500 yen per person.
The Yokohama Museum also has a Cup Noodle Park.
The Cup Noodles Park is an athletic activity area in the museum that allows you to enjoy the process of creating noodles for yourself.
This is incredibly fun for children, as the idea behind the area is that each child is a ‘noodle’, and they are being sent through the process of being made into Cup Noodles!
As mentioned, the admission fee is different between the two museums. Admission is free to the Yokohama museum for high school students and anyone younger.
For adults, it is only 500 yen to purchase a day ticket.
At the Osaka museum, on the other hand, guests can attend the main museum area for free, but they must pay 400 yen per person to access the Cup Noodle Factory facility.
カップヌードルミュージアム楽しい????
チェブラーシカ柄にしてみた???? pic.twitter.com/P54sOpLfhA
— 翔田真央 (@maoshoda) March 6, 2022
Which Instant Ramen Museum Is The Best?
The Cup Noodle Museum in Yokohama has a slight edge over the competition when it comes to which is best. This is because of a number of reasons.
For starters, the Yokohama Cup Noodle Museum has up to five floors of exhibition space and interactive areas and elements for guests to play around in.
The Osaka museum still has plenty to offer, but it is contained entirely within just two floors.
One of the best attractions at the Cup Noodles Museum is the Chicken Ramen Factory, which allows guests to create their own instant ramen, and learn about the process of creating instant ramen, and what it involves.
Which Instant Ramen Museum Is the Best?
The Cup Noodle Museum in Yokohama has a slight edge over the competition when it comes to which is best. This is because of a number of reasons.
For starters, the Yokohama Cup Noodle Museum has up to five floors of exhibition space and interactive areas and elements for guests to play around in.
The Osaka museum still has plenty to offer, but it is contained entirely within just two floors.
One of the best attractions at the Cup Noodles Museum is the Chicken Ramen Factory, which allows guests to create their own instant ramen, and learn about the process of creating instant ramen, and what it involves.
The Yokohama museum also offers more dining opportunities to enjoy fresh cup noodles and even full-on ramen dishes.
However, the Osaka museum, though it does offer a massive number of vending machines to enjoy cup noodles in a massive number of flavors, it does not offer as much seating to enjoy your cup noodles comfortably.
This means that on particularly busy days you may find it difficult to enjoy the food on offer.
Nissan Water Park
Nissan Water Park Price
Luckily, admission to the Nissan Water Park is also rather affordable. Adults need only pay 500 yen, while children, under the age of 13, need only pay 250 yen for admission.
For every extra 30 minutes that guests wish to spend in the park, an extra 200 yen is charged for adults, and an extra 100 yen is charged for children.
Nissan Water Park Location
The Nissan Water Park is also in close proximity to the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum.
This immense water park is a great place to go for family fun. It features a large number of fun slides, large pools, jacuzzis, and even sauna areas.
This means that the adults can relax and take it easy while the kids have fun and play.
今日は日産スタジアムのプールに行ってきた！
ここ市営なのに流れるプールとかウォータースライダーあるの。
最高！またいく！ pic.twitter.com/cEcqcqnd8E— うらりん＠7歳娘 (@poshet0315) July 27, 2019
The water park is not far from the museum, and it only takes around 12 minutes on foot to head from the museum to the water park. The water park is located around 3300, Kozukue-Cho, Kohoku-Ku, Yokohama.
Nissan Water Park Opening And Closing Time
The Nissan Water Park opens from 9 AM onwards, and closes at 8:30 PM. This makes it a great option for anyone looking for some additional fun to add to the agenda.
Trips to the water park are short, but they can be extended for an extra price, so you can truly fit it in to a busy day and still get more than your money’s worth.
Kirin’s Factory Tours
Another delightful thing to do within proximity of the Ramen Museum is the Kirin’s Factory Tour.
This tour allows you to see how Kirin, one of Japan’s foremost brands of beer is produced, which makes it a very exciting addition to any trip.
Let’s take a look at some of the greatest things about this museum tour.
Kirin’s Factory Tours Price
Per person, the cost of the Kirin Factory Tour is around 500 yen. This is a very affordable price that allows you unparalleled insight into how one of Japan’s favorite beers is made, and what goes into its production.
Kirin’s Factory Tours Location
Luckily, accessing the Kirin Factory Tours is nice and easy, as it is only a ten-minute walk away from the Namamugi Station, which is found on the Keikyu Main Line.
This makes it highly accessible, and thus even more worth visiting even on a day when you are traveling to visit the Ramen Museum.
Kirin’s Factory Tours Opening And Closing Times
There are only two tours per day, so you will want to make sure to book your trip on the tour well ahead of time. The first tour takes place at 10 AM, and then the second tour takes place at around 13:30 PM.
This gives you two great options to take advantage of shoudl you ever want to experience the tour on the same day that you visit the Ramen Museum.
