Kitakata Ramen A Beloved Soul Food of the Storehouse Town

Kitakata City in the Aizu region of Fukushima is famous as a ramen town, said to have one of the highest numbers of ramen shops per capita in Japan. Many shops line its streets, and countless visitors come in search of the flavor.

Highlights

The defining feature is the thick, flat, curly noodle about four millimeters wide. A high water content aged noodle, it has a springy, soft texture that clings beautifully to the clear soy based broth seasoned with pork bone and dried sardine. Its roots are said to trace back to the shina soba sold at food stalls in the 1920s, which spread among the town diners and grew into a local taste. Kitakata even has a morning ramen culture, and popular shops draw lines before opening. In its former city limits alone more than a hundred shops once crowded together, and it has long been described as having the highest number of shops per capita in Japan.

Enjoying the Seasons

In winter a piping hot bowl in the snow covered storehouse town is unforgettable. In spring and autumn you can stroll among the sake breweries and lacquerware shops while comparing the subtle differences from shop to shop.

Access and Basic Information

Many shops cluster within walking distance of JR Kitakata Station. From the long established Bannai Shokudo onward, each shop has its own take on the noodles and broth. Popular places may sell out before noon, so an early visit is wise.

Practical Travel Notes

• Where to eat: Many shops within walking distance of JR Kitakata Station, with the long established Bannai Shokudo among the famous names
• Morning ramen: Some shops open in the morning, with lines forming before opening. An early visit is reassuring
• Selling out: Popular shops may run out before noon. If you plan to shop hop, start in the morning
• Nearby spots: Easy to pair with a stroll among the storehouse townscape, sake breweries, and lacquerware shops

A Quick Tip

Start with a simple soy version. The niku soba piled high with braised pork is another specialty, so taste your way to a favorite.

Souvenir and Takeaway Tips

Kitakata ramen is a specialty counted among Japan's three great ramen styles, characterized by thick, flat, wavy noodles and a light soy sauce broth. Sets of fresh noodles with broth and souvenir ramen packs are widely available at souvenir shops and by mail order, so you can recreate the authentic taste at home. Kitakata also has a culture of "asa-ra," eating ramen in the morning, and sampling your way around this town of traditional storehouses is a special experience.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Main area where it is served: Within Kitakata City. The city's official website states that today more than 100 ramen shops are packed into the city, and the industry body Kura no Machi Kitakata Romenkai likewise notes that there are about 100 shops in the city, said to be the highest number per head of population in Japan.
• Bases for choosing a shop: The Kitakata Station Tourist Information Office (Aza Machidashimo, Kitakata City, inside JR Kitakata Station / 0241-24-2633) is open 8:30-17:00, every day of the year. The Kura no Machi Information Office (4811 Aza Sanchome, Kitakata City) is open 10:00-15:00 from April to November, and only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from December to March. The Romenkai distributes a ramen map covering all its member shops at various locations, and also publishes it as a PDF.
• Points to note: The Romenkai advises checking with each shop individually, as some close for the day as soon as their soup runs out.

Note: Opening hours and prices at individual shops vary from establishment to establishment.

(Sources: official website of Kitakata City, Kitakata: The Town of Ramen; official website of Kura no Machi Kitakata Romenkai; official website of the Kitakata Tourism and Local Products Association)

Information Sources

This article is compiled from tourism information for Kitakata City and Fukushima Prefecture and from information published by the individual shops. Prices and menus differ from shop to shop and are subject to change, so please check the official information of each shop for details.

Travel Checklist

• Budget guide: Affordable, from a few hundred yen to around a thousand yen a bowl
• Where to eat it: Ramen shops throughout Kitakata City (many are scattered across town)
• Best time of day: There is a morning ramen culture here, and some shops open from early in the morning
• Avoiding the crowds: Popular shops have queues at lunchtime, so early morning or right at opening time is your best bet
• Great to combine with: Kitakata's streetscape of traditional storehouses and a tour of the local sake breweries