Tokyo Ramen Food Festival Guide 2025: Enjoy Most Beloved Japanese dish!

Since moving to a neighborhood adjacent to Shinjuku in 2024, I've been visiting cities in Tokyo almost daily to explore its appeal and discover spots I can recommend to tourists. I updated this article in January 2025 to incorporate my findings from this research, along with the latest information for 2025.

Another reason for updating the article is the growing interest in tours that allow visitors to safely and deeply experience Tokyo. Because Tokyo is a city that continues to develop at a dizzying pace and in complex ways, tourists visiting for the first time find it extremely difficult to discover the truly excellent spots beloved by locals.

This is why food tours led by knowledgeable local guides who know Tokyo inside and out have been gaining popularity, as they take visitors through Tokyo's maze of establishments.

In fact, Magical Trip's tour, which ranked #1 among all tours on Tripadvisor, has been receiving numerous applications.

Join a Magical Trip local tour to be guided by Tokyo experts to beloved restaurants serving exceptional food. They'll take you to hidden gems that are difficult for first-time visitors to Japan to discover, ensuring your trip becomes an unforgettable memory.

The recommended tour is the Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku, which was ranked #1 on Tripadvisor among all tours in 2024. Other options include food tours in Ginza where you can enjoy top-quality Japanese cuisine, as well as the tour featuring excellent yakiniku (grilled meat) and sushi.

We hope you'll have a wonderful time experiencing everything Tokyo has to offer by joining a Magical Trip tour!

Introduction

Tokyo is the center of Japan, where many people, popular shops, and famous restaurants gather. From early summer in May to late autumn around November, the climate is suitable for outdoor leisure activities.

In Tokyo, especially from May to November, must-see events featuring famous foods from all over the country are held every month.

This time, I'll introduce events featuring "ramen," one of the most popular national foods among Japanese cuisine. I've compiled the highlights, basic information, and access to venues for ramen events that I particularly recommend, where the best and most popular shops from around the country gather.

If you truly love ramen or want to enjoy ramen during your trip to Japan, please use this as a reference and visit these events.

6 Top Ramen Events in Tokyo Recommended by a Writer from "Fukuoka," the Ramen Pilgrimage Site

Ramen is a dish made with wheat flour noodles and soup. Originally a dish from China, it became popular in Japan and has evolved with unique improvements.

Typical soup varieties include soy sauce, salt, miso, and pork bone. My hometown, Fukuoka, is known as a ramen pilgrimage site, and Fukuoka's rich pork bone soup ramen is very famous.

As someone from Fukuoka, I'm always looking for delicious ramen in Tokyo. Here are 6 top Tokyo ramen events that I'd like to recommend for enjoying ramen in Tokyo.

6th "The Dried Noodle Grand Prix 2025 in Tokyo" (May)

Source:PR TIMES

This event features various dried dishes using dried noodles, including ramen, soba, udon, and somen. Famous manufacturers that sell dried noodles present special noodle dishes for the event. Visitors can taste and vote on which dried noodle dish is the most delicious, determining the grand prix winner.

The appeal of the Dried Noodle Grand Prix is that you can eat attractive ramen made with commercially available dried noodles. For example, last year, the gluten-free soy sauce ramen released by Japanese manufacturer Kenmin Foods attracted attention.

The chewy rice noodles and the soy sauce soup infused with vegetable sweetness had a very gentle taste. I liked it so much when I ate it at the event that I later purchased it and tried it at home.

If you find delicious noodles, why not buy them during your trip as souvenirs? Let's participate in this event where you can enjoy various noodle dishes including ramen, udon, and soba.

This will be a great opportunity to experience authentic Japanese cuisine at the Tokyo Ramen Festival 2025, where you can taste a variety of regional ramen styles all in one place!

<Information>
- Dates: May 17-18, 2025, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Access: 15-25 minute walk from Komazawa Daigaku Station on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line → Komazawa Olympic Park
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://promotion.nippon-access.co.jp/event/kanmengp/

Tokyo Ramen Street Umakara Fair (August to September)

Source:PR TIMES

The "Umakara Fair" is an annual summer event held at Tokyo Ramen Street in Tokyo Station. Tokyo Ramen Street is an area in the underground of Tokyo Station where delicious ramen restaurants gather. During the event period, 8 shops on the Ramen Street release special spicy ramen that blow away the summer heat.

At this event, you can enjoy a variety of extremely spicy ramen using various spices. For example, in 2024, the popular shop "Tokyo Niboshi Ramen Gyoku" sold "Special Spicy Squeezed Ramen."

This ramen is Sichuan Chinese style, using Sichuan's famous spice Sichuan pepper and several types of chili peppers. The numbing spiciness characteristic of Sichuan cuisine and the soup infused with fish broth were exquisitely delicious.

If you're planning to use Tokyo Station, be sure to check the event schedule and stop by the Ramen Street. Don't miss your chance to experience these special dishes at the Tokyo Ramen Festival 2025!

<Information>
- Dates: August 9, 2024 - September 5, 2024 (2025 dates TBD)
- Access: JR Line, Get off at "Tokyo" Station → Yaesu Underground Central Exit, - Tokyo Ichiban Gai
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.tokyoeki-1bangai.co.jp/uploads/pdfs/tokyoeki1bangai/000002/000002/d23f203a.pdf

Japan Local Ramen Grand Prix (October)

Source:Official website

The Japan Local Ramen Grand Prix is an event where popular ramen reflecting the characteristics of each region gather from all over Japan. Preliminary rounds are held in each region, and the winning popular ramen advance to the finals. Visitors to Okubo Park in Shinjuku eat the ramen that made it to the finals, and the best local ramen in Japan is determined by vote.

At this event, you can compare numerous delicious ramen from all over Japan at the Shinjuku venue. Ramen varies by region in terms of soup flavor and ingredients used, including my hometown of Fukuoka. That's why unique local ramen has developed in each region.

Some people even travel far just to eat ramen that can only be eaten in certain places.

In 2024, signature ramen such as Fukuoka's tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen and Hokkaido Sapporo's miso ramen were selected from various regions.

This is definitely an enjoyable event for those who love ramen and are interested in Japan's diverse local ramen varieties. Check the event schedule and be sure to visit Okubo Park in Shinjuku, where visitors to the Tokyo Ramen Festival 2025 can sample regional specialties all in one location.

<Information>
- Dates: October 2-8, 2024 (2025 dates TBD)
- Access: About 6 minutes walk from JR Shin-Okubo Station → Okubo Park
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.ramenshow.jp/gr/

Tokyo Ramen Festa (October)

Source:Official website

At the Tokyo Ramen Festival 2025, signature ramen dishes recommended from all over Japan will be setting up shop at Komazawa Olympic Park. Visitors can purchase ramen tickets for 1,100 yen per bowl and compare different ramen varieties.

The charm of this event is that ramen enthusiasts can leisurely enjoy exquisite ramen from across the country in a natural setting. The Tokyo Ramen Festival 2025 will gather 36 different popular ramen varieties from various regions of Japan.

From my hometown Fukuoka, the popular restaurant "ISSHIN" presented their "Rich Tonkotsu Grilled Chashu Noodles." The rich, flavorful tonkotsu (pork bone) soup without any unpleasant smell was absolutely delicious.

Furthermore, what I liked was the lush green environment of the venue, Komazawa Olympic Park. The grounds were very spacious, allowing me to relax and leisurely enjoy ramen from each shop.

If you want to enjoy spacious surroundings, beautiful nature, and regional ramen from across the country, be sure to check out the Tokyo Ramen Festival 2025.

<Information>
- Schedule: October 24 - November 4, 2024, 10:30 - 20:30 (2025 dates to be determined)
- Access: About 15-25 minute walk from Komazawa-daigaku Station on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line → Komazawa Olympic Park Central Plaza
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://ra-fes.com/gaiyo.htm

Grand Tsukemen Expo Japan Championship!! (October to November)

Source:Yahoo! News

The Grand Tsukemen Expo Japan Championship!! is a popular event that has been held in Tokyo for many years. In 2024, 40 tsukemen specialty shops and ramen shops set up stalls and sold special menus. Each year, the "Japan's Best Tsukemen" is determined by the free vote of people who visit the venue and eat tsukemen.

This event allows you to enjoy the charm of "tsukemen," one of the popular genres of ramen. "Tsukemen" is a type of ramen where noodles and soup are served in separate bowls. The appeal is that you can enjoy various ways of eating—dipping the noodles in the soup yourself, eating just the noodles, or just drinking the soup.

In Japan, "tsukemen" became a boom about 10 years ago and its popularity has settled in. This event is said to be the spark that ignited the tsukemen boom.

I ate "Rich Bonito Tsukemen" at "Tsukemen Kazu" in Tokyo. The rich soup with bonito broth and the extra thick noodles were excellent.

Let's enjoy the charm of tsukemen, a ramen genre with various enjoyable ways to eat and profound depth. Make sure to mark your calendar for the Tokyo Ramen Festival 2025, where you can experience the full range of tsukemen variations alongside other ramen styles!

<Information>
- Dates: October 10 - November 6, 2024, 11:00-21:00 (2025 dates TBD)
- Access: 15-25 minutes walk from Komazawa Daigaku Station on Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line → Komazawa Olympic Park Central Plaza
- Admission: Free

TRY Ramen Grand Prix Event (November to December)

Source:Official Site

The TRY Ramen Grand Prix is an annual award event organized by the popular magazine "Adult's Holiday" published by a major Japanese publishing company. At the event held in Okubo Park in Shinjuku, ramen restaurants from across Japan that have been selected and awarded by the magazine gather together. Visitors can enjoy these award-winning special ramen dishes for 1,100 yen per bowl. The Tokyo Ramen Festival 2025 is expected to follow a similar format, showcasing the finest ramen selections from throughout Japan.

The appeal of the TRY Ramen Grand Prix is that it selects supreme ramen dishes that satisfy adults' refined tastes. Since the selections are made by a magazine that is considered authoritative in the gourmet world, this event receives significant attention within the ramen industry.

Last year, I tasted the supreme free-range chicken ramen from Fukushima's "Ramen Okamura," which was thoroughly infused with chicken broth. The soup had a refreshing taste within its rich umami flavor.

If you want to know about trends in Japanese gourmet cuisine and currently popular ramen styles, why not participate in this event? The Tokyo Ramen Festival 2025 will be an excellent opportunity to experience the latest ramen innovations.

Information:
Dates: November 26-December 15, 2024 (2025 dates to be announced)
Access: About 6 minutes walk from JR Shin-Okubo Station → Special venue at Shinjuku/Kabukicho Okubo Park
Admission: Free
Website: https://bluesmobile.co.jp/shikou/

After filling your stomach with ramen, enjoy Tokyo's nightlife with a bar-hopping tour guided by locals!

After participating in the ramen event and satisfying your appetite, how about enjoying some drinks in the evening? We've picked out bar-hopping tours in Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ueno—neighborhoods where you can enjoy Tokyo's nightlife. Explore Tokyo's evening scene with a local guide, visiting local izakayas and bars.

Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku

This tour takes you to three bars in Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's largest entertainment districts. After meeting with your guide, you'll head to a bar in "Omoide Yokocho" (Memory Lane) in Shinjuku's west exit, where retro bars line the streets. There you'll enjoy drinks and food before visiting bars in Kabukicho, one of Japan's premier entertainment districts.

My recommended highlight is the "Omoide Yokocho" area where you'll visit the first bar. Cozy old bars are gathered in narrow alleys, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Japanese drinking districts from the latter half of the 20th century. During the Tokyo Ramen Festival 2025, this tour will be particularly popular as visitors can contrast their gourmet ramen experience with authentic local drinking culture.

Try experiencing the classic Japanese drinking combination of yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), edamame, and beer in these retro-atmosphere shops. If you can still eat after having ramen, you can also order a dinner-sized portion of food.

I recommend taking photos with the photogenic old alleys as your background. Explore Shinjuku's nightlife with your guide, including the lively bars of Kabukicho that you'll visit after the first stop.

Click here for more details

- Meeting point: In front of the black pillar at 1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (next to UNIQLO Shinjuku West Exit Store)
- Tour area: Shinjuku
- Start times: 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00

Shibuya Bar Hopping Night Tour in Tokyo

This tour offers bar hopping in Shibuya, one of Tokyo's famous entertainment districts rivaling Shinjuku. 

After meeting your guide near Shibuya Station, you'll walk through the bustling streets of Shibuya to the first bar. Afterward, you'll visit a total of three bars, including izakayas where you can enjoy delicious local cuisine and drinks.

The charm of this tour is that you can fully experience the nightlife of Shibuya, the center of Tokyo's youth culture. As you move from bar to bar, you'll enjoy Shibuya's night illuminations and vibrant street atmosphere. If you're visiting Tokyo during the Tokyo Ramen Festival 2025, this tour makes for a perfect evening activity after spending your day sampling delicious ramen varieties at the festival.

The second bar, in particular, is like a hidden gem that would be difficult to find if you don't know Shibuya well. The establishment is small, so when I participated, I was able to have casual interactions with people at the next table and others in the bar, allowing me to fully enjoy Shibuya's friendly atmosphere.

After enjoying ramen during the daytime, experience Tokyo's vibrant nightlife in Shibuya, where 2 million people visit daily. You're guaranteed a full day of enjoyable experiences.

Click here for more details

- Meeting point: In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, under the SHIBUYA TSUTAYA sign at Q Front, B2F-8F, 21-6 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Tour area: Shibuya
- Start time: 18:00, 19:00

All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno

If you want to enjoy drinks in Tokyo, Ueno in Taito Ward is also one of the recommended areas. On this tour, after meeting your guide at Ueno Station, you'll head to Ueno's famous street food area. You'll visit three establishments, including izakayas with a casual atmosphere, and enjoy drinks and meals.

The appeal of the Ueno tour is that you can enjoy the atmosphere of Tokyo's lively downtown area, unlike Shinjuku and Shibuya with their modern buildings. The traditional drinking district of Ueno is home to bars with cheap and delicious drinks and food, and people who enjoy drinking. Many visitors combine this tour with a visit to the Tokyo Ramen Festival 2025, as the contrast between modern festival experiences and traditional drinking culture creates a well-rounded Tokyo experience.

Try traditional dishes like kushikatsu (deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables) and fried tofu while experiencing the all-you-can-drink system. This is a standard system in Japanese pubs where you can drink as much alcohol as you want for a fixed time period.

Try to communicate with locals in a lively and casual atmosphere. If you want to experience the traditional, down-to-earth, and fun Tokyo night, please participate in this tour in Ueno.

Click here for more details

- Meeting point: In front of the Ueno Object at Ueno Station Hirokoji Exit, 7-1-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
- Tour area: Ueno
- Start time: 18:00