Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, commonly known as “Ra-Haku”, is widely recognised as the world’s first food amusement park dedicated to ramen. Located in Shin-Yokohama, the museum brings together famous ramen shops from across Japan, allowing visitors to experience regional specialties without traveling from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south.

The project began in 1990–1991 as part of an effort to revitalise the Shin-Yokohama area, which was then developing into a new business district. The museum’s founder, Hiroshi Iwaoka, envisioned a destination that would attract visitors not only on weekdays but also on weekends. Rather than constructing a conventional commercial building, he proposed a facility centred on ramen – one of Japan’s most popular comfort foods.

The core concept was simple: create a place where people could enjoy renowned ramen from around the country in one location. Despite initial skepticism and challenges in recruiting participating shops, eight ramen restaurants were confirmed by August 1993. The museum officially opened on March 6, 1994, drawing large crowds on its first day.

Since its opening, the museum has regularly invited and rotated ramen shops representing diverse regional styles. Over the decades, it has hosted establishments from cities such as Hakata, Sapporo, Kumamoto, Tokyo, and beyond. It has also organized themed exhibitions, limited-time collaborations, and special events highlighting ramen history and innovation.

The museum reached major milestones, including celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024. Throughout its history, it has introduced original cup noodle products, revival projects for classic ramen shops, and international collaborations featuring ramen establishments from the United States, Germany, Canada, Thailand, and Italy. The museum also hosts “Ramen Limited” events, which feature special short-term appearances by notable ramen shops.

One of the museum’s most distinctive features is its interior design. The basement levels recreate a nostalgic Japanese streetscape modeled after the Showa era (particularly the late 1950s). Visitors can walk through narrow alleys lined with retro storefronts, vintage advertisements, old-style street lamps, and period details that evoke postwar Japan. The immersive setting enhances the experience by combining ramen culture with a vivid atmosphere of mid-20th-century daily life.

Floor Guide and Facilities

1st Floor focuses on ramen culture and education:

• Gallery: Exhibits tracing ramen’s history, including research into early Chinese noodles and the development of ramen in Japan.
• Ramen Making Experience (Reservation Required): Visitors can learn how noodles are made from wheat flour using traditional techniques.
• Museum Shop: Sells exclusive souvenirs, packaged ramen supervised by shop owners, and original merchandise.
• Ra-Haku Sugomen Lab: Allows visitors to create custom cup ramen by selecting noodles, soup, toppings, and packaging.

In addition to ramen shops, visitors can find:

• A retro-style café and snack bar
• A traditional candy store selling classic sweets and toys
• An izakaya-style restaurant
• An event space for performances and activities

Ramen Making Classes

The museum offers hands-on ramen-making workshops using domestic Japanese wheat varieties such as “Haruyokoi” and “Yumechikara”. Participants prepare noodles using the traditional “Aodake-uchi” (green bamboo pressing) method, which involves pressing dough with a long bamboo pole. The experience includes cooking and eating the freshly made noodles or taking them home.

Individual classes typically last about 60 minutes plus dining time, while private group sessions (11–40 participants) are also available. Vegan soup options can be requested in advance. The workshops are designed for participants aged 10 and above, with limited exceptions for younger children accompanied by guardians.