Step into a nostalgic recreation of Japan in 1958 and enjoy ramen from famous shops representing different regions of the country. The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is an entertainment complex where visitors can experience the appeal of Japanese ramen while exploring its history and culture.
The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum opened on March 6, 1994, in the Shin-Yokohama district of Kohoku Ward, Yokohama. It was established to preserve and share the history and culture of ramen, a dish that has become one of Japan’s best-known everyday foods.
The museum’s interior recreates the atmosphere of a Japanese town in 1958, the year instant ramen was first introduced in Japan. Its streets are designed to evoke the Showa era, with nostalgic buildings and scenes illuminated by the warm colors of a simulated evening sky. The carefully arranged townscape and dioramas depicting everyday life make visitors feel as though they have stepped back in time.
In addition to the ramen restaurants, the recreated streets feature a museum shop, a traditional candy store, a café, snack bars and even fortune-telling services. These details help bring the atmosphere of an earlier era to life, making the museum an attraction in its own right even before visitors sit down to eat.
One of the museum’s main attractions is the opportunity to sample ramen from well-known shops selected from different parts of Japan. Each restaurant brings its own regional style and distinctive flavors, allowing visitors to compare different approaches to this much-loved dish in one location.
The selection of restaurants changes periodically, with shops joining for limited runs and new varieties appearing over time. This rotating lineup gives visitors a reason to return and makes it possible to discover different regional ramen styles on each visit.
The recreated Showa-era streets provide a distinctive setting for the restaurants. Rather than simply visiting a food court, guests can enjoy their meals in an environment designed to recall the atmosphere of an old-fashioned Japanese downtown neighborhood.
The museum also introduces the origins and development of ramen through historical displays and exhibits. Visitors can learn how ramen was brought to Japan, how it evolved, and how it became established as a familiar part of Japanese food culture.
Another important subject is the invention and spread of instant ramen. Exhibits explain the background of this convenient food and how it developed into a product enjoyed around the world. The displays offer an opportunity to understand the influence of instant ramen on eating habits in Japan and beyond.
By combining historical materials with restaurants serving ramen from different regions, the museum presents ramen not only as a meal but also as an important part of modern Japanese culture.
Visitors can also take part in programs that offer a closer look at how ramen is made. These include noodle-making experiences and activities in which participants can create their own original ramen.
Workshops and seminars related to ramen are also held periodically. These programs allow participants to learn more about the ingredients, preparation and culture behind the dish. They are suitable for families and groups who want to enjoy an activity together while discovering another side of Japanese food.
The museum has shops selling goods and souvenirs inspired by ramen. Items include original ramen bowls, chopsticks and assortments of instant ramen, as well as products that are difficult to find elsewhere.
Ramen sets featuring flavors from famous shops around Japan are also popular. They allow visitors to take home a taste of the regional ramen varieties introduced at the museum and enjoy them after their trip.
The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum offers more than a chance to eat ramen. Its recreated 1958 streets, regional restaurants, historical displays and hands-on programs bring together food, entertainment and learning in one place.
Whether you are a dedicated ramen enthusiast or simply curious about one of Japan’s most popular dishes, the museum provides an enjoyable way to explore the depth and diversity of ramen culture. Visitors can sample different regional flavors, discover how ramen developed and experience a nostalgic vision of Japan’s Showa-era streets.
Weekdays 11:00-21:00
Weekends and holidays: 10:30 - 21:00
Year-end and New Year holidays (December 31 and January 1)
Admission fee
Adults 380 yen
Elementary, junior high and high school students: 100 yen
Senior (60 years old and over) 100 yen
Free for children under elementary school age
5 min. walk from JR Shin-Yokohama Station (Yokohama Line, Tokaido Shinkansen)
1 min. walk from Exit 8 of Yokohama Municipal Subway Shin-Yokohama Sta.