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A photogenic and delicious factory tour! "Ramen theme park" Itoshima "Ichiran no Mori" [Free ramen for kids information]
Hello! I'm Hakata Aya, a writer who loves hot information about Fukuoka.
Fukuoka's specialties include motsunabe, Spicy Fish Eggs, and ramen!
Did you know that Ichiran, a ramen restaurant from Fukuoka that has now become popular nationwide, has a factory in the Itoshima area?
Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, tours had been suspended for a while, but we heard that they were reopening this spring, so we went to play with our children.
This time, I would like to report on "Ichiran no Mori," which can be enjoyed by both adults and children!
Tour the factory and visit the museum! Be enchanted by ramen at "Ichiran no Mori" (Itoshima City)
About 15 minutes by car from the Nishi Kyushu Expressway, Shusenji IC, you will see "Ichiran no Mori"as you drive along the nature-rich Itoshima landscape. It is located in the mountains, so it is easily accessible by car!
Image: Hakata Aya.
This manufacturing facility, located on a vast site covering approximately 99,000m2 - the size of two Tokyo Domes - produces Ichiran's noodles, soup, secret sauces and more, and ships them to stores across the country and around the world.
When you park your car in the parking lot (which can accommodate 594 standard-sized cars), you will see a lantern with the word "Ichiran" written on it right in front of you.
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Up ahead is a long path through a bamboo forest. The scenery is sooooooo beautiful...!
When I visited, the weather was very sunny and it was a perfect spot for taking photos.
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After walking along the bamboo forest path for a while, we saw a building with the "Ichiran" logo!
Inside the facility you will find a delicious ramen production factory, a Tonkotsu Ramen Museum, and a restaurant.
Image: Hakata Aya.
First, follow the route to the very back, where you'll find the "Delicious Ramen Production Factory"!
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If you turn to the right, you will see a magnificent view of Itoshima.
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We'll reveal just a little bit about the process behind Ichiran ramen, which is known for its strict secrecy!
There is a dated photo spot at the entrance to the "Delicious Ramen Production Factory."
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The factory is divided into a noodle production room, a char siu production room, a soup production room, an inspection room, and a research room.
The only rooms that can be visited are the noodle production room and the inspection room, which can be seen through glass.
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Ramen is made using a "complete division of labor" system, with employees in each department not allowed to move between rooms.
The noodles, soup, and other ingredients are made by specialists in each field who are professionals in their field, resulting in the ultimate ramen!
This factory is capable of producing an enormous amount of food per day: up to 90,000 servings of noodles, 70,000 servings of soup, and 100,000 servings of pork.
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In the noodle-making room, you can see the process of rolling out the noodles, cutting them, and making them into balls.
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Soup process, char siu process,
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The process of making the secret sauce will be displayed on panels.
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The final inspection room is where quality control takes place, and you can see what's going on inside through a small window.
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Tonkotsu Ramen Museum: Even the "secrets of the business" revealed!
After the factory tour, we head to the Tonkotsu Ramen Museum!
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Once you enter through the entrance decorated with a ramen bowl, you'll find a wide range of exhibits, including the history of Ichiran, the tools used to make ramen, and the teachings of the company's president.
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You can actually touch and feel the tools used to make ramen.
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This is Ichiran's unique "Taste Concentration Counter"! It's very popular because you can concentrate on the taste of the ramen and enjoy it without worrying about the eyes of others.
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You can also see the view from the staff's side, so you can pretend to be Ichiran♪
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The walls are covered with autographs of famous people who have visited Ichiran.
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In the "What is Ichiran like?" area, you can learn about the company's history and the work of each department. It's rare to have a chance to see behind the scenes like this, so it's amazing that Ichiran is willing to show you all the details!
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At the end of the museum, they even generously reveal some "secrets of the business."
There were many posts sharing the president's teachings and words, as well as stories that can be applied to business, and I found myself engrossed!
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It was a wonderful corner that was useful not only for people involved with ramen, but for everyone who lives in society.
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"Children's Ramen" is free! Exquisite ramen that the whole family can enjoy
After the factory tour and the Ramen Museum, it's time for the long-awaited "dining area"! The seating at Ichiran is a flavor-concentrating counter with partitions separating each seat, but here you can enjoy your ramen table-style, and the restaurant is divided into three rooms: "1930s," "1940s," and "1950s."
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Each room is decorated to evoke the atmosphere of the time.
This is a room from the 1940s. It has a nice retro feel to it!
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The "1950s" room that I stayed in this time recreated the Nakasu streets and food stalls of that time.
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While waiting for the ramen to be prepared, I took a closer look at the wall...
The signs are parodies of humor that will make you chuckle, such as "Tutoring is tough," "OSSAN," and "Napoleon Waruchiko from the next town." Please take a look.
Image: Hakata Aya.
And finally it's time for the ramen!
This time, I took my two elementary school-aged children with me, and if you download the Ichiran app, you can get a half-sized bowl of tonkotsu ramen, "Children's Ramen," for free! Up to 6th grade elementary school students (one bowl per person), up to five children are allowed for each adult ordering ramen.
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This was the first time I'd heard about this service, but it seems it can be used not only at Ichiran no Mori but at any Ichiran restaurant across the country.
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There was also an order sheet for "kids' ramen," and we had fun filling out the form to see what we liked. The bowls were child-sized and super cute...!
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Ichiran's "Ramen" (980 yen) is beautiful no matter when you look at it. The black bowl gives it a luxurious feel!
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Of course, I got the very hard version! It can be customized to your taste, so it would be fun to try out different flavors.
Adding the secret sauce not only made it spicier but also more flavorful; it was absolutely delicious!
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You can purchase commercial products as souvenirs.
At the restaurant, you can also purchase Ichiran souvenirs.
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Be sure to try out some of our convenient cup ramen and our new fried ramen that you can make with your own ingredients.
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With the weather getting more comfortable this season, why not visit this place? (Text by Hakata Aya.)
＜Click on the store name for more details about the store ↓＞
■Ichiran Forest
Address: 256-10 Shima Matsukuma, Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 11:00-16:00
No regular holiday
*This article is current as of the time of publication. *Prices in the text include tax.
※Text and images:
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#Itoshima #With children #family
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