Japan Travelougue Series: Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

Ramen (ラーメン) is a Japanese noodle soup made with Chinese-style wheat noodles, a tasty broth, and toppings. Depending on the type of ramen, it is topped with sliced pork (チャーシュー chāshū), green onions, or dried seaweed.  Originally from China, it was brought to Japan during the Meiji Period. Over the years, traditional aspects of Japanese cooking and taste have made their ramen unique.  Its delicious broth takes hours to make, along with all the other ingredients when put together, makes one hearty and mouthwatering dish. Ramen is synonymous with Japan and is a must-try dish.

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is the world’s first food-themed amusement park. Founded in March of 1994, the museum is dedicated to the concept of being a one-stop place to truly experience and enjoy the origins and flavors of Japan’s national dish.

The first-floor gallery of the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum showcases the history of ramen noodles in the country culminating in the worldwide success of instant ramen. Visitors get to see a variety of noodles, toppings, soups, and bowls from across Japan as well as find out how noodles are made. The two basement floors feature replica of streets and houses of the old town of Tokyo, Shitamachi and what it was like in 1958 at the height of the popularity of ramen.  Visitors can enjoy the delicious dish from the nine ramen restaurants, each highlighting ramen dishes from Japan’s different regions. The ramen shops are set in the replicated streetscape scene from the 1958 giving diners a reminiscent vibe of the past.