Which Ramen Comes From Where in Japan? 40 Regional Styles
Which ramen comes from where in Japan? We checked 40 regional styles on official tourism and government pages: miso in Sapporo, soy sauce in Asahikawa, salt in Hakodate, soy sauce in Kitakata and pork bone in Fukuoka. A bowl cost 465 to 993 yen across the 47 prefectural capitals in August 2026, and Yamagata has the most ramen shops per person (36.0 per 100,000 in 2016, Japan 14.3).
40 / 40 regional ramen styles
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Hokkaido
4
4 styles: Sapporo ramen, Asahikawa ramen, Hakodate ramen and more.
7 styles: Tsugaru ramen (niboshi ramen), Kitakata ramen, Shirakawa ramen and more.
Tsugaru ramen (niboshi ramen)
Tsugaru ramen (niboshi ramen) comes from Aomori Prefecture: niboshi (dried sardine) stock. A bowl of ramen averaged 667 yen in Aomori City (capital of Aomori) in August 2026.
Kitakata ramen comes from Kitakata, Fukushima: soy sauce (light pork-bone and niboshi stock). A bowl of ramen averaged 647 yen in Fukushima City (capital of Fukushima) in August 2026.
Bowl in Fukushima City (capital)647 yen
Kitakata ramen喜多方ラーメン · Kitakata, Fukushima
Kitakata, FukushimaOne of Japan's three big ramen
From
Kitakata, Fukushima
Soup
soy sauce (light pork-bone and niboshi stock)
Noodles
thick, curly
Also
counted among Japan's three great ramen
Bowl price
647 yen in Fukushima City (capital of Fukushima), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 67 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
13,031 yen a year per household in Fukushima City (2023–2025 average; 6 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
25.6 per 100,000 people in Fukushima (2016; 5 of 47)
Shirakawa ramen comes from Shirakawa, Fukushima: soy sauce (pork-bone and chicken-bone base). A bowl of ramen averaged 647 yen in Fukushima City (capital of Fukushima) in August 2026.
Bowl in Fukushima City (capital)647 yen
Shirakawa ramen白河ラーメン · Shirakawa, Fukushima
Shirakawa, Fukushima
From
Shirakawa, Fukushima
Soup
soy sauce (pork-bone and chicken-bone base)
Noodles
hand-cut, thick, curly
Also
thick-cut chashu
Bowl price
647 yen in Fukushima City (capital of Fukushima), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 67 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
13,031 yen a year per household in Fukushima City (2023–2025 average; 6 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
25.6 per 100,000 people in Fukushima (2016; 5 of 47)
Yamagata cold ramen (hiyashi ramen) comes from Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture: cold soy sauce soup with dashi. A bowl of ramen averaged 888 yen in Yamagata City in August 2026.
Bowl in Yamagata City888 yen
Yamagata cold ramen (hiyashi ramen)冷しらーめん（山形） · Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
From
Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Soup
cold soy sauce soup with dashi
Noodles
cold
Also
sometimes served with ice; a summer dish
Bowl price
888 yen in Yamagata City, August 2026 (official retail price survey; 4 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
21,695 yen a year per household in Yamagata City (2023–2025 average; 1 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
36.0 per 100,000 people in Yamagata (2016; 1 of 47)
Nanyo spicy miso ramen comes from Nanyo, Yamagata: miso base with spicy miso topping soup. A bowl of ramen averaged 888 yen in Yamagata City (capital of Yamagata) in August 2026.
Yonezawa ramen comes from Yonezawa, Yamagata: chicken-bone and niboshi stock. A bowl of ramen averaged 888 yen in Yamagata City (capital of Yamagata) in August 2026.
Bowl in Yamagata City (capital)888 yen
Yonezawa ramen米沢ラーメン · Yonezawa, Yamagata
Yonezawa, Yamagata
From
Yonezawa, Yamagata
Soup
chicken-bone and niboshi stock
Noodles
thin, hand-kneaded, curly
Also
light soup you can eat daily
Bowl price
888 yen in Yamagata City (capital of Yamagata), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 4 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
21,695 yen a year per household in Yamagata City (2023–2025 average; 1 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
36.0 per 100,000 people in Yamagata (2016; 1 of 47)
Sakata ramen comes from Sakata, Yamagata: seafood stock blended with pork-bone or chicken stock. A bowl of ramen averaged 888 yen in Yamagata City (capital of Yamagata) in August 2026.
Bowl in Yamagata City (capital)888 yen
Sakata ramen酒田のラーメン · Sakata, Yamagata
Sakata, Yamagata
From
Sakata, Yamagata
Soup
seafood stock blended with pork-bone or chicken stock
Noodles
house-made
Also
certified as a 100-year food
Bowl price
888 yen in Yamagata City (capital of Yamagata), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 4 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
21,695 yen a year per household in Yamagata City (2023–2025 average; 1 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
36.0 per 100,000 people in Yamagata (2016; 1 of 47)
Tokyo shoyu ramen comes from Tokyo City, Tokyo Prefecture: soy sauce (dashi with chicken, pork or vegetable stock). A bowl of ramen averaged 620 yen in Tokyo (23 wards) in August 2026.
Bowl in Tokyo (23 wards)620 yen
Tokyo shoyu ramen東京ラーメン（醤油） · Tokyo City, Tokyo Prefecture
Tokyo City, Tokyo Prefecture
From
Tokyo City, Tokyo Prefecture
Soup
soy sauce (dashi with chicken, pork or vegetable stock)
Also
chopped scallion, sliced pork and menma
Bowl price
620 yen in Tokyo (23 wards), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 73 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
9,364 yen a year per household in Tokyo (23 wards) (2023–2025 average; 20 of 52 cities)
Katsuura tantanmen comes from Katsuura, Chiba: soy sauce with chili oil. A bowl of ramen averaged 617 yen in Chiba City (capital of Chiba) in August 2026.
Bowl in Chiba City (capital)617 yen
Katsuura tantanmen勝浦タンタンメン · Katsuura, Chiba
Katsuura, Chiba
From
Katsuura, Chiba
Soup
soy sauce with chili oil
Also
minced onion and ground pork; not the sesame style
Bowl price
617 yen in Chiba City (capital of Chiba), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 75 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
10,098 yen a year per household in Chiba City (2023–2025 average; 13 of 52 cities)
Takeoka-style ramen comes from Futtsu, Chiba: dark soup made from the chashu simmering sauce with hot water. A bowl of ramen averaged 617 yen in Chiba City (capital of Chiba) in August 2026.
Takeoka-style ramen竹岡式ラーメン · Futtsu, Chiba
Futtsu, Chiba
From
Futtsu, Chiba
Soup
dark soup made from the chashu simmering sauce with hot water
Also
thick-sliced chashu
Bowl price
617 yen in Chiba City (capital of Chiba), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 75 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
10,098 yen a year per household in Chiba City (2023–2025 average; 13 of 52 cities)
8 styles: Tsubame seabura ramen, Nagaoka ginger shoyu ramen, Niigata rich miso ramen and more.
Tsubame seabura ramen
Tsubame seabura ramen comes from Tsubame, Niigata: soy sauce with fish stock, covered in pork back fat. A bowl of ramen averaged 777 yen in Niigata City (capital of Niigata) in August 2026.
Bowl in Niigata City (capital)777 yen
Tsubame seabura ramen燕背脂ラーメン · Tsubame, Niigata
Tsubame, Niigata
From
Tsubame, Niigata
Soup
soy sauce with fish stock, covered in pork back fat
Noodles
very thick
Also
chopped raw onion as the condiment
Bowl price
777 yen in Niigata City (capital of Niigata), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 32 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
16,863 yen a year per household in Niigata City (2023–2025 average; 2 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
26.1 per 100,000 people in Niigata (2016; 4 of 47)
Nagaoka ginger shoyu ramen comes from Nagaoka, Niigata: rich soy sauce with plenty of ginger. A bowl of ramen averaged 733 yen in Nagaoka in August 2026.
Niigata rich miso ramen comes from Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture: very rich miso with a side broth to thin it. A bowl of ramen averaged 777 yen in Niigata City in August 2026.
Bowl in Niigata City777 yen
Niigata rich miso ramen新潟濃厚味噌ラーメン · Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
From
Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
Soup
very rich miso with a side broth to thin it
Noodles
thick, chewy
Also
side broth of bonito dashi or bone stock
Bowl price
777 yen in Niigata City, August 2026 (official retail price survey; 32 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
16,863 yen a year per household in Niigata City (2023–2025 average; 2 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
26.1 per 100,000 people in Niigata (2016; 4 of 47)
Niigata light shoyu ramen comes from Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture: light soy sauce (chicken-bone and niboshi dashi). A bowl of ramen averaged 777 yen in Niigata City in August 2026.
Bowl in Niigata City777 yen
Niigata light shoyu ramen新潟あっさり醤油ラーメン · Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
From
Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
Soup
light soy sauce (chicken-bone and niboshi dashi)
Noodles
thin
Also
said to have started at a Showa-era street stall
Bowl price
777 yen in Niigata City, August 2026 (official retail price survey; 32 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
16,863 yen a year per household in Niigata City (2023–2025 average; 2 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
26.1 per 100,000 people in Niigata (2016; 4 of 47)
Sanjo curry ramen comes from Sanjo, Niigata: curry soup, or curry on soy sauce ramen or tsukemen. A bowl of ramen averaged 777 yen in Niigata City (capital of Niigata) in August 2026.
Bowl in Niigata City (capital)777 yen
Sanjo curry ramen三条カレーラーメン · Sanjo, Niigata
Sanjo, Niigata
From
Sanjo, Niigata
Soup
curry soup, or curry on soy sauce ramen or tsukemen
Also
a staple delivery meal for metalworkers for 70+ years
Bowl price
777 yen in Niigata City (capital of Niigata), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 32 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
16,863 yen a year per household in Niigata City (2023–2025 average; 2 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
26.1 per 100,000 people in Niigata (2016; 4 of 47)
Toyama black ramen comes from Toyama Prefecture: strong soy sauce with coarse black pepper. A bowl of ramen averaged 733 yen in Toyama City (capital of Toyama) in August 2026.
Bowl in Toyama City (capital)733 yen
Toyama black ramen富山ブラック · Toyama Prefecture
Toyama Prefecture
From
Toyama Prefecture
Soup
strong soy sauce with coarse black pepper
Also
lots of green onion
Bowl price
733 yen in Toyama City (capital of Toyama), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 46 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
13,507 yen a year per household in Toyama City (2023–2025 average; 5 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
18.9 per 100,000 people in Toyama (2016; 13 of 47)
Nagoya Taiwan ramen comes from Nagoya, Aichi: chicken-bone soup topped with chili-garlic minced meat. A bowl of ramen averaged 729 yen in Nagoya in August 2026.
Bowl in Nagoya729 yen
Nagoya Taiwan ramen台湾ラーメン（名古屋） · Nagoya, Aichi
Nagoya, Aichi
From
Nagoya, Aichi
Soup
chicken-bone soup topped with chili-garlic minced meat
Also
original shop: Misen Imaike Honten
Bowl price
729 yen in Nagoya, August 2026 (official retail price survey; 51 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
10,310 yen a year per household in Nagoya (2023–2025 average; 12 of 52 cities)
Kyoto ramen comes from Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture: many kinds: pork-bone soy sauce, chicken paitan and clear soups. A bowl of ramen averaged 786 yen in Kyoto City in August 2026.
Bowl in Kyoto City786 yen
Kyoto ramen京都ラーメン · Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
From
Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Soup
many kinds: pork-bone soy sauce, chicken paitan and clear soups
Also
no single definition; oldest shop Shinpuku Saikan (1938)
Bowl price
786 yen in Kyoto City, August 2026 (official retail price survey; 26 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
7,698 yen a year per household in Kyoto City (2023–2025 average; 36 of 52 cities)
Wakayama ramen comes from Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture: pork-bone soy sauce (tonkotsu-shoyu) and a lighter soy-forward type. A bowl of ramen averaged 783 yen in Wakayama City in August 2026.
Bowl in Wakayama City783 yen
Wakayama ramen和歌山ラーメン · Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
From
Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
Soup
pork-bone soy sauce (tonkotsu-shoyu) and a lighter soy-forward type
Noodles
small portion (100-120 g)
Also
hayanare-zushi and boiled eggs on the table; locally called chuka soba
Bowl price
783 yen in Wakayama City, August 2026 (official retail price survey; 28 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
6,005 yen a year per household in Wakayama City (2023–2025 average; 48 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
10.4 per 100,000 people in Wakayama (2016; 38 of 47)
Onomichi ramen comes from Onomichi, Hiroshima: soy sauce with chicken broth and small-fish stock, floating pork back fat. A bowl of ramen averaged 879 yen in Hiroshima City (capital of Hiroshima) in August 2026.
Bowl in Hiroshima City (capital)879 yen
Onomichi ramen尾道ラーメン · Onomichi, Hiroshima
Onomichi, Hiroshima
From
Onomichi, Hiroshima
Soup
soy sauce with chicken broth and small-fish stock, floating pork back fat
Noodles
flat, firm
Also
simple toppings of chashu, menma and scallions
Bowl price
879 yen in Hiroshima City (capital of Hiroshima), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 6 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
7,941 yen a year per household in Hiroshima City (2023–2025 average; 31 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
14.9 per 100,000 people in Hiroshima (2016; 23 of 47)
Kasaoka ramen comes from Kasaoka, Okayama: chicken-bone soup with soy-sauce tare. A bowl of ramen averaged 764 yen in Okayama City (capital of Okayama) in August 2026.
Bowl in Okayama City (capital)764 yen
Kasaoka ramen笠岡ラーメン · Kasaoka, Okayama
Kasaoka, Okayama
From
Kasaoka, Okayama
Soup
chicken-bone soup with soy-sauce tare
Noodles
medium-thin, straight
Also
kashiwa (chicken chashu from older hens)
Bowl price
764 yen in Okayama City (capital of Okayama), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 36 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
8,174 yen a year per household in Okayama City (2023–2025 average; 28 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
12.9 per 100,000 people in Okayama (2016; 31 of 47)
Hiroshima ramen comes from Hiroshima Prefecture: light pork-bone soy sauce (pork, chicken and vegetables). A bowl of ramen averaged 879 yen in Hiroshima City (capital of Hiroshima) in August 2026.
Bowl in Hiroshima City (capital)879 yen
Hiroshima ramen広島ラーメン · Hiroshima Prefecture
Hiroshima Prefecture
From
Hiroshima Prefecture
Soup
light pork-bone soy sauce (pork, chicken and vegetables)
Also
boiled bean sprouts as the main topping
Bowl price
879 yen in Hiroshima City (capital of Hiroshima), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 6 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
7,941 yen a year per household in Hiroshima City (2023–2025 average; 31 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
14.9 per 100,000 people in Hiroshima (2016; 23 of 47)
Hiroshima tsukemen comes from Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture: spicy dipping sauce, noodles served cold. A bowl of ramen averaged 879 yen in Hiroshima City in August 2026.
Bowl in Hiroshima City879 yen
Hiroshima tsukemen広島つけ麺 · Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
From
Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Soup
spicy dipping sauce, noodles served cold
Noodles
cold
Also
eaten with shredded green onion and boiled cabbage
Bowl price
879 yen in Hiroshima City, August 2026 (official retail price survey; 6 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
7,941 yen a year per household in Hiroshima City (2023–2025 average; 31 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
14.9 per 100,000 people in Hiroshima (2016; 23 of 47)
Tottori beef-bone ramen comes from Tottori Prefecture: clear beef-bone soup with soy-sauce tare. A bowl of ramen averaged 858 yen in Tottori City (capital of Tottori) in August 2026.
Tokushima ramen comes from Tokushima Prefecture: rich soy-flavored pork-bone broth. A bowl of ramen averaged 700 yen in Tokushima City (capital of Tokushima) in August 2026.
Bowl in Tokushima City (capital)700 yen
Tokushima ramen徳島ラーメン · Tokushima Prefecture
Tokushima Prefecture
From
Tokushima Prefecture
Soup
rich soy-flavored pork-bone broth
Noodles
straight, medium-fine, short, soft
Also
braised pork belly and a raw egg; white, brown and yellow soups
Bowl price
700 yen in Tokushima City (capital of Tokushima), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 58 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
6,551 yen a year per household in Tokushima City (2023–2025 average; 45 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
20.7 per 100,000 people in Tokushima (2016; 8 of 47)
Susaki nabeyaki ramen comes from Susaki, Kochi: chicken-bone soy sauce (older hens). A bowl of ramen averaged 806 yen in Kochi City (capital of Kochi) in August 2026.
Bowl in Kochi City (capital)806 yen
Susaki nabeyaki ramen須崎の鍋焼きラーメン · Susaki, Kochi
Susaki, Kochi
From
Susaki, Kochi
Soup
chicken-bone soy sauce (older hens)
Noodles
thin, straight
Also
served in a clay pot
Bowl price
806 yen in Kochi City (capital of Kochi), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 20 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
10,544 yen a year per household in Kochi City (2023–2025 average; 11 of 52 cities)
Hakata ramen comes from Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture: milky pork-bone (tonkotsu) soup. A bowl of ramen averaged 803 yen in Fukuoka City in August 2026.
Bowl in Fukuoka City803 yen
Hakata ramen博多ラーメン · Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Fukuoka City, Fukuoka PrefectureOne of Japan's three big ramen
From
Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Soup
milky pork-bone (tonkotsu)
Noodles
extra-thin
Also
from the Hakata area of Fukuoka City; kaedama (noodle refill) culture, chashu and red pickled ginger
Bowl price
803 yen in Fukuoka City, August 2026 (official retail price survey; 23 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
7,604 yen a year per household in Fukuoka City (2023–2025 average; 38 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
14.5 per 100,000 people in Fukuoka (2016; 26 of 47)
Kurume ramen comes from Kurume, Fukuoka: rich, cloudy pork-bone (tonkotsu) soup. A bowl of ramen averaged 803 yen in Fukuoka City (capital of Fukuoka) in August 2026.
Bowl in Fukuoka City (capital)803 yen
Kurume ramen久留米ラーメン · Kurume, Fukuoka
Kurume, Fukuoka
From
Kurume, Fukuoka
Soup
rich, cloudy pork-bone (tonkotsu)
Also
said to be the origin of cloudy pork-bone ramen
Bowl price
803 yen in Fukuoka City (capital of Fukuoka), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 23 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
7,604 yen a year per household in Fukuoka City (2023–2025 average; 38 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
14.5 per 100,000 people in Fukuoka (2016; 26 of 47)
Kumamoto ramen comes from Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture: mild pork-bone and chicken-bone stock. A bowl of ramen averaged 993 yen in Kumamoto City in August 2026.
Bowl in Kumamoto City993 yen
Kumamoto ramen熊本ラーメン · Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
From
Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Soup
mild pork-bone and chicken-bone stock
Noodles
medium, straight
Also
fried garlic and mayu oil
Bowl price
993 yen in Kumamoto City, August 2026 (official retail price survey; 1 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
7,303 yen a year per household in Kumamoto City (2023–2025 average; 42 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
15.1 per 100,000 people in Kumamoto (2016; 22 of 47)
Kagoshima ramen comes from Kagoshima Prefecture: light, mild pork-bone with chicken bones and vegetables soup. A bowl of ramen averaged 803 yen in Kagoshima City (capital of Kagoshima) in August 2026.
Bowl in Kagoshima City (capital)803 yen
Kagoshima ramen鹿児島ラーメン · Kagoshima Prefecture
Kagoshima Prefecture
From
Kagoshima Prefecture
Soup
light, mild pork-bone with chicken bones and vegetables
Noodles
medium-thick, made without kansui
Bowl price
803 yen in Kagoshima City (capital of Kagoshima), August 2026 (official retail price survey; 23 of 81 cities from the highest)
Ramen spending
7,456 yen a year per household in Kagoshima City (2023–2025 average; 40 of 52 cities)
Ramen shops
17.9 per 100,000 people in Kagoshima (2016; 16 of 47)
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36ramen shops per 100,000 people in Yamagata, the most of 47 (2016)Japan 14.3
993yen a bowl in Kumamoto, the highest of 47 capitals (August 2026)
73 of 81Tokyo's place by bowl price (620 yen), from the highest
Bowl price: the average for a bowl of chuka soba (ramen) at ordinary shops in each prefectural capital, August 2026 (retail price survey; Tokyo is the 23 wards), not the price at famous shops. Spending: yearly household spending on ramen eaten out in the capital city (2023–2025 average, with 2025 below), not the whole prefecture. Yamagata spends the most: 21,695 yen, 2.48 times Japan's 8,752 yen (our calculation). Airport: minutes into the city from our airport guide.
All 47 prefectures: bowl price, ramen spending and airport (August 2026)
Ramen shops: businesses classified as ramen shops in the 2016 Economic Census (June 2016), per 100,000 people with the 2016 population (our calculation). Some ramen shops were counted only with Chinese restaurants, so the column of Chinese restaurants and ramen shops together is shown too. The 2021 census does not count ramen shops separately by prefecture.
All 47 prefectures: ramen shops and shops per 100,000 people (2016)
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Prefecture
Ramen shops
Per 100,000
Chinese and ramen
Hokkaido
1,035
19.3
2,237
Aomori
309
23.9
604
Iwate
246
19.4
504
Miyagi
432
18.5
1,105
3Akita
275
27.2
473
1Yamagata
401
36
716
Fukushima
487
25.6
929
Ibaraki
500
17.2
1,336
2Tochigi
542
27.6
1,200
Gunma
425
21.6
974
Saitama
983
13.5
2,962
Chiba
869
13.9
2,615
Tokyo
1,993
14.6
8,481
Kanagawa
917
10
3,762
Niigata
597
26.1
1,209
Toyama
201
18.9
402
Ishikawa
166
14.4
404
Fukui
93
11.9
238
Yamanashi
161
19.4
454
Nagano
368
17.6
947
Gifu
286
14.1
785
Shizuoka
563
15.3
1,624
Aichi
929
12.4
3,023
Mie
176
9.7
607
Shiga
166
11.7
348
Kyoto
252
9.7
840
Osaka
598
6.8
2,975
Hyogo
431
7.8
1,644
Nara
90
6.6
305
Wakayama
99
10.4
301
Tottori
90
15.8
224
Shimane
75
10.9
212
Okayama
247
12.9
554
Hiroshima
422
14.9
1,026
Yamaguchi
151
10.8
362
Tokushima
155
20.7
317
Kagawa
98
10.1
307
Ehime
152
11.1
397
Kochi
106
14.7
249
Fukuoka
742
14.5
1,940
Saga
149
18
309
Nagasaki
117
8.6
450
Kumamoto
267
15.1
561
Oita
181
15.6
392
Miyazaki
219
20
449
Kagoshima
293
17.9
621
Okinawa
81
5.6
298
40 styles checked on official pages, grouped by soup.
Regional styles by soup (of 40; a style can have more than one)
Soy sauce (shoyu)23
Miso3
Salt (shio)1
Pork bone (tonkotsu)13
Dried sardine or fish7
Chicken13
Beef bone1
Spicy4
Curry1
Served cold2
Each style here is described on an official page: the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), a prefecture or city, or a local tourism association. We only list styles we could check there, and we describe them in our own words.
Kitakata City's official site says Kitakata ramen is also called one of Japan's three great ramen, together with Sapporo and Hakata, and JNTO's Fukushima page says the same. It is a popular saying, not an official ranking.
465 to 993 yen across 81 cities in August 2026; Tokyo's 23 wards are 73 of 81.
Highest and lowest bowl prices among the 47 prefectural capitals, August 2026 (yen)
Kumamoto993
Yamagata888
Sapporo883
Hiroshima879
Nagasaki877
Tokyo (23 wards)620
Saitama465
Sendai530
Maebashi613
The retail price survey covers 81 cities. In August 2026 the median was 747 yen; the highest was 熊本 (993 yen) and the lowest Saitama (465 yen). Tokyo's 23 wards were 620 yen, 73 of 81, so a standard bowl is cheaper in Tokyo than in most cities.
Styles from official tourism and government pages, numbers from government statistics, checked on 18 October 2026.
Styles
Only styles described on an official page (ministry, JNTO, prefecture, city or tourism association). We do not use restaurant review or ranking sites.
Bowl price
Retail Price Survey, prices by city, chuka soba (eating out), one bowl, August 2026. Prefectural capitals; Tokyo is the 23 wards.
Spending
Family Income and Expenditure Survey, two-or-more-person households, chuka soba eaten out: 2023–2025 average and 2025. 52 cities.
Ramen shops
Economic Census for Business Activity 2016 (June 2016), detailed industry 7624 ramen shops and 76B Chinese restaurants. The 2021 census does not count ramen shops separately by prefecture.
Population
Population estimates, 1 October 2016 (for shops per 100,000 people). The 2025 census counted 122,972,528 people in Japan.
Airports
Our own airport guide: the quickest way from each airport into the city.
Our calculations
Per-person numbers, ranks and ratios are our calculations from the numbers above.
Why the shop count is from 2016
The 2016 Economic Census lists ramen shops (industry 7624) for every prefecture: 18,135 in Japan. In the same table, Chinese restaurants and ramen shops together (76B) are 52,672, more than the two detailed groups added up, because some shops could not be sorted into the detailed groups. So the ramen shop count is a lower bound. The 2021 census only gives Chinese restaurants including ramen shops.
Sources: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Economic Census for Business Activity 2016 (reference table 1) and industry classification notes. Ratios are our calculation.
Frequently asked questions
Which ramen comes from where in Japan?
Hokkaido has miso ramen in Sapporo, soy sauce ramen in Asahikawa and salt ramen in Hakodate; Fukuoka has pork-bone (tonkotsu) ramen from Hakata and Kurume. We list 40 regional styles checked on official tourism and government pages, from Hokkaido to Kyushu.
What are Japan's three big ramen?
Sapporo, Kitakata and Hakata ramen are often called Japan's three great ramen. Kitakata City's official site and JNTO's Fukushima page use the phrase; it is a popular saying, not an official ranking. Sapporo is known for miso, Kitakata for soy sauce with thick curly noodles and Hakata for milky pork-bone soup with thin noodles.
How much is a bowl of ramen in Japan?
In August 2026, the government's retail price survey put a bowl at 465 to 993 yen across 81 cities (median 747 yen). Tokyo's 23 wards were 620 yen. These are averages at ordinary shops, not at famous shops.
Which prefecture has the most ramen shops per person?
Yamagata, with 36.0 ramen shops per 100,000 people in the 2016 Economic Census (Japan 14.3; our calculation with the 2016 population). It is the latest count of ramen shops by prefecture; the 2021 census grouped them with Chinese restaurants.
Is ramen more expensive in Tokyo?
Not in the official numbers. In August 2026 a bowl in Tokyo's 23 wards averaged 620 yen, 73 of 81 cities from the highest. The highest of the 47 prefectural capitals was Kumamoto at 993 yen.
40 regional ramen styles in Japan checked on official tourism and government pages, with the average bowl price in each prefectural capital (August 2026), household spending on ramen eaten out (2023–2025 average and 2025), ramen shops by prefecture (2016) per 100,000 people, and airport minutes.
Regional styles are from official tourism and government pages, written in our own words and checked on 18 October 2026. Bowl prices, spending, ramen shops and population are from Japanese government statistics; per-person numbers, ranks and ratios are our own calculations.
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