The factory that was opened by the popular ramen restaurant Ichiran in 2014
Ichiran, which is a Fukuoka-based ramen chain that has gone nationwide with the popular tonkotsu ramen, has a factory that produces 90,000 bowls’ worth of noodles, 70,000 bowls’ worth of soup and about 100,000 portions of char siu pork daily, along with the Tonkotsu Ramen Museum, the Teahouse Garden of Sound and Light, a restaurant and a souvenir shop. Ichiran no Mori can be reached by car from downtown Fukuoka in about 40 minutes or by taxi in about 20 minutes from the closest subway station, Susenji Station. Since it is open until late at night, it is a place for all ramen fans to visit at least once.
Plenty of highlights such as special ramen only found at Ichiran no Mori
At the Tonkotsu Ramen Museum, you can find out about the history of Ichiran, the preferences in taste, the origins of tonkotsu ramen, a ramen map of the entire country and other interesting things in ways such as photos and illustrations that even a child can understand. In addition, at the Ramen Manufacturing Factory, part of the manufacturing process can be observed. At the restaurant, you can start off with Ichiran’s main product of original tonkotsu ramen, but there is also the special menu that can only be found at the factory where you can try new types of ramen that change on a weekly basis such as the lightly-flavored Ichiba tonkotsu and the rich Jimi tonkotsu. The souvenir shop sells packages of ramen and soup which can only be purchased at Ichiran no Mori. And at the Teahouse Garden of Sound and Light, there is a huge clover field that is as large as Tokyo Dome where a sound and light show happens after sunset. Drinks and sweets are also sold at the garden where you can spend a relaxing time.