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Ichiran ramen comes served with a spoonful of “original spicy red sauce” floating in the center. (© Nippon.com)
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The order sheet allows detailed customization by adjusting the broth richness and topping selection. Sheets include four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. (© Nippon.com)
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The Ichiran Honsha Sōhonten building is lined with chōchin paper lanterns to the very top. (© Nippon.com)
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The entrance to tourist hotspot Ichiran no Mori. (© Nippon.com)
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The Ichiran no Mori building. On the left is the shopping area, while the museum and factory are at the back right. (© Nippon.com)
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Be sure to follow the recommended course indicated on the guideposts. (© Nippon.com)
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Ichiran’s production is known for strict quality control. The central glass windows offer a glimpse of the action. (© Nippon.com)
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Recent years have seen an increase in shops serving ramen with a dab of chili-based sauce floating in the middle, but Ichiran is the original. (© Nippon.com)
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The Tonkotsu Ramen Museum displays rarely-seen preparation methods and tools. (© Nippon.com)
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A sample “ramen focus booth” is free to photograph from all angles. (© Nippon.com)
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The panels describing Ichiran’s history and R&D work are well worth reading. (© Nippon.com)
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The shopping area. The leftmost section is a souvenir shop. (© Nippon.com)
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The usual Ichiran ticket machine. The Ichiran Select 5 bowl, with added char siu, wood ear mushrooms, nori seaweed, and soft-boiled salted egg, is highly recommended. (© Nippon.com)
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The Shōwa 30s shop is styled after a yatai street stall. (© Nippon.com)
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The standard Natural Tonkotsu Ramen, with the popular Smoke-Flavored Stewed Pork and Matcha Almond Pudding with Green Tea Sauce as a dessert. (© Nippon.com)
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The Nanokawa branch is a rarity in that it offers a glimpse of the prep room through a window facing the sidewalk. (© Nippon.com)
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The noren curtain outside shows off its mark of pride: ichigō, marking this place as the first-ever outlet. (© Nippon.com)
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