In Japan there seems to be a museum devoted to just about anything, so it stands to reason a museum devoted to the popular noodle dish Ramen would be a popular attraction.
Located about five minutes from Shin-Yokohama Station, the Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum calls itself a “food amusement park” and is a combination of a gift shop, museum, and themed food court. While ramen has its origins in China, it became widely popular in Japan during the 20th century. In the late 1800s, many Chinese immigrants arrived in Japan, establishing small communities and bringing over their traditional foods. The Japanese quickly embraced the Chinese noodle, often adding distinctive Japanese flavours, and soon ramen stalls were popping up across the country.
Ramen’s popularity surged, especially after World War II, when ex-servicemen of the Japanese forces were exposed to a variety of noodles in China. Then, in 1958, instant noodles were invented, making it as simple as boiling water to enjoy ramen at home. In fact, instant noodles were even named the most important Japanese invention of the 20th century.
The Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum traces much of ramen’s history in its small ground-floor museum, featuring displays of ramen-related items and a replica ramen shop where visitors can step behind the counter like a ramen chef. While most exhibits are documented in Japanese, the museum is still fascinating for non-Japanese speakers. Surrounding the museum is a gift shop stocked with all sorts of ramen-related items for purchase.
The highlight of the museum is the recreation of a 1958 Tokyo suburb in the basement level of the complex. Here, period storefronts line the streets, complete with narrow alleyways, retro advertisements, and an artificial sky. Behind the Showa-era facades, you’ll find numerous ramen shops, each representing different regional styles of ramen from across Japan, with many of the country’s most famous ramen restaurants featured.
The Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum is a five-minute walk northwest of Shin-Yokohama Station. Admission is 450 yen for adults, and a bowl of ramen can be enjoyed from around 1,000 yen. Half-sized ramen bowls are also available, allowing visitors to sample multiple flavours. The museum is open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., closing only for New Year’s holidays.
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