Hienadz Vardanyan 
Ramen is one of the most popular foods in Japan and is renowned all over the world.
However, it probably goes without saying that Tokyo is the home of ramen and boasts the best ramen in the world, with thousands of ramen restaurants to choose from.
Whether you are visiting Tokyo for the first time, or have visited Tokyo many times before, a ramen tour is a great way to take in the city and allow you to experience some of the city’s best food.
We have gathered the best ramen tours that you should consider taking when you visit Tokyo, depending on your diet, location, and what you want to get from experience.
Different Types Of Ramen Tours
Before we delve into the various ramen tours that you should consider, it’s important to think about what kind of ramen tour you want to embark on.
There are different types of tours depending on what kind of ramen you will be trying, the expense, and the location within Tokyo. Here are some of the types of ramen tours that you can choose from:
Cooking Tour
The first kind of tour you can take is a cooking tour where you learn how to make your own ramen and attempt to become a ramen master.
Local Tour
Another popular kind of ramen tour is the local tour in which you can visit various hidden spots that are popular among the locals making it the best choice for those who want to try more experimental ramen.
Vegan Tour
For those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you can opt to embark on a vegan ramen tour. There are even gluten-free options as well so no one has to miss out on ramen.
Wagyu Tour
Lastly, for those who have the money to spend, you can opt for the most expensive and extravagant tour in which you can try wagyu ramen.
Wagyu is the highest-grade beef in the world and Japan is known for its wagyu meaning that combining wagyu and ramen is sure to be a success.
Tokyo Ramen Tours
Without any further ado, here are the best Tokyo Ramen Tours that you should consider, making the most of your time in this wonderful city.
1. Ramen Tasting Tour Provided By A Local Ramen Guru
Location: Starts at Nakameguro then goes to Ebisu and finishes at Shibuya
Price: Mid to high range depending on what time of year it is
Duration and start time: It lasts for 3 hours and starts at either 2 pm or 7 pm
The first tour that you can go on is a ramen tasting tour that is provided by a local ramen guru. Giving you the chance to taste ramen that is loved by locals, this is the best choice for those wanting to try new and experimental ramen.
You should be warned that there is a lot of ramen on this tour, so you need to make sure that you have an empty stomach, so you can make the most of the tour.
This tour is incredibly popular and tends to sell out quickly, so you should book it well in advance.
The way that the tour works is that you can select six small bowls from a selection of 12 different ramens that boasts all kinds of flavors ranging from tonkotsu to fish.
You will visit three shops within unique neighborhoods that are renowned for their ramen, while the guru will provide you with lots of history and interesting information.
2. Tokyo Local Tour
Location: Starts at Asakusa then goes to Nakameguro and finishes at Shinjuku
Price: This is a low price range tour
Duration and start time: It lasts for 2 hours and starts at 10 am, 10.30 am or 6.30 pm on Mondays and Fridays only
The Tokyo Local Tour is a great choice for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money but don’t want to miss out on quality ramen.
You’ll be paired with a local guru who understands the history and importance of ramen while being given the opportunity to choose where you eat.
This tour comes with one bowl of ramen, as well as a guided tour and tea or coffee, making it one of the shorter tours on this list.
These tours sell out quickly due to their low price range, meaning that you need to book early to prevent any disappointment.
3. Tokyo Ramen Kitchen Experience
Location: The whole tour takes place in Nakameguro in an establishment of yours or the guide’s choosing
Price: This is a low price range tour
Duration and start time: It lasts for 1 hour and starts at either 3 pm or 4.30 pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday only
The Tokyo Ramen Kitchen Experience is a great choice for those who want to see how ramen is made from kitchen to dish in a hands-on experience that you are sure to remember.
It gives you a chance to become a ramen chef and make your own dish, making it the perfect choice for those who love to cook.
You’ll be able to make your own ramen from the noodles to the broth, sauce, and toppings, and you’ll be cooking it in a real ramen restaurant kitchen.
4. Local Ramen Expert
Location: This is a flexible tour, so the Ramen Expert can meet you at your hotel, or at an area of your choosing
Price: This is a mid-price range tour
Duration and start time: It lasts for 2 hours and starts at either 1 pm or 7 pm
You can choose to have a tour completed by a local ramen expert who knows the local area exceptionally well, so they will be able to choose the best places in the area that you choose.
You can either select a restaurant to eat at or follow the expert’s recommendations depending on what you want to get from the experience.
This tour comes with two bowls of ramen, so you can try different flavors and styles of ramen.
5. Tokyo Vegan Ramen Tour
Location: This whole tour takes place in Shibuya in an establishment of yours or the guide’s choosing
Price: This is a low price range tour
Duration and start time: It lasts for 1.5 hours and starts at either 11 am or 6.30 pm
For those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, or perhaps require gluten-free ramen, the Tokyo Vegan Ramen Tour is one of the best options for you.
This tour specializes in plant-based noodle dishes so no one has to miss out on delicious ramen dishes.
Described as a three-in-one experience, this ramen tour allows you to try three ramen soups including Miso, Shio (salt), and Shoyu (soy sauce), which are traditional ramen dishes that have been accessible to all.
The expert who runs this tour will explain the history of ramen to you and why it has become such an important and popular dish in Japan.
6. The Ultimate Tokyo Ramen Experience
Location: This is a flexible tour, so the Ramen Expert can meet you at your hotel, or at an area of your choosing
Price: This is a mid-price range tour
Duration and start time: It lasts for 3 hours and can start at any time
The Ultimate Tokyo Ramen Experience is a great option for those who want to try lots of ramen on their tour as you will be able to taste a minimum of three types of ramen, depending on where the tour takes place.
Due to the flexible location, the tour will be personalized to you so you can be assured that the guide will consider what you want to get from the tour when deciding where to take you.
Whether you want to try traditional ramen, or are wanting to be more experimental with the food, this tour is perfect for you.
This tour comes as a private experience with three ramen tastings and three drinks as well as a walking tour, so you get to see the city.
7. Vegan And Organic Food Tour
Location: This whole tour takes place in Shimo-Kitazawa in an establishment of yours or the guide’s choosing
Price: This is a low-price range tour
Duration and start time: It lasts for 3 hours and starts at 5 pm
Our penultimate choice is the Vegan and Organic Food Tour which is another great option for those who don’t eat food containing meat or animal byproducts.
This tour is great as Shimo-Kitazawa has established itself as a district renowned for its vegan and vegetarian food, so you know you are in the best place for vegan ramen.
What is great about the food on this tour is that the ingredients are all organic, so you can be assured that the food is going to taste the best and has been sourced properly.
So whether you want a traditional or experimental ramen dish, you’ll be able to try the best quality food.
This tour comes with a bowl of vegan ramen, as well as farm food plates, some Japanese desserts, a walking tour, and plenty of photographs along the way.
8. Wagyu Beef Ramen Tour
Location: This whole tour takes place in Harajuku in an establishment of yours or the guide’s choosing
Price: This is a high-price range tour
Duration and start time: It lasts for 1 hour and starts at 6 pm, 7 pm, or 8 pm
The last recommendation is possibly the most luxurious ramen tour that you can embark on as you will be able to try Wagyu Ramen, which combines ramen with the highest-grade beef in the entire world.
Made from the finest ingredients, this ramen tour is the best choice for those who have the money to spend and want to try a dish that is going to stay with you forever.
You will be able to try marbled Wagyu beef and A5 Wagyu beef steak ramen, so you can try the best of the best.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Most Famous Ramen In Japan?
If you want to try the most famous ramen in Japan, then it doesn’t get more famous than Ichiran, which is a popular chain throughout the country. Their most popular dish is the Tonkotsu ramen which is made from pork broth.
Is Tokyo Famous For Ramen?
Japan is renowned all over the world for its ramen, and Tokyo, in particular, has become the epicenter of ramen as it has attracted the best ramen chefs in the world and is home to thousands of ramen restaurants.
So, whether you have a traditional or experimental palette, and no matter what your dietary requirements are, you’ll be able to find the perfect ramen restaurant that is going to make your trip to Tokyo even more magical.
Why Do The Japanese Love Ramen?
Ramen is loved by the Japanese so much thanks to the wide variety of flavors available, and the easy preparation which makes it a wonderful comfort food that is readily available. It is thanks to this that has made ramen so popular around the world.
