Tokyo Station (東京駅) is one of the largest and busiest train stations in Japan. Tucked in Chiyoda’s Marunouchi business district, the station is one of the main gateways to the city of Tokyo, serving trains for both Japan Railways and Tokyo Metro. It is also one of the three stationsーthe other two being Shinagawa and Uenoーthat passengers go to take their bullet train out of the prefecture and into other regions. It also serves as the central gateway for travellers to Eastern Japan which includes regions such as Kanto and Tohoku. Those heading to surrounding prefectures such as Saitama or Gunma; or the north such as Nagano and Niigata; or even further north-eastwards such as Miyagi and Aomori, would often commence their journey by train from Tokyo Station.
Tokyo Station’s underground complex boasts a wide variety of shops and restaurants, serving all the transiting passengers that number up to more than 400,000 each day. Navigating the mazy tunnels is a challenge even for seasoned passengers; there are 10 platforms in the station and 5 ground levels in total, so unless you know where you’re going, it’s going to be a challenge to get around the sprawling station.
I try to make time to explore the station whenever I can. Before catching my train, I will wander the complex to see if I can find anything interesting and novel. In most cases, anything interesting or novel to me has something to do with food! And of course, anyone who knows me personally can guess that it (almost) always has something to do with ramen, and that means Tokyo Ramen Street.
At the first basement on the Yaesu side of Tokyo station lies Tokyo Ramen Street (東京ラーメンストリート), an alley housing some of the finest ramen brands in the city. Here is where ramen lovers, both local and foreign, would flock to get their ramen fix. It’s always a treat for me to come here every time I transit at Tokyo Station; I remember how every shop garners a beeline of patrons that can stretch up to a block away!
One of the biggest players at Tokyo Ramen Street is Rokurinsha (六厘舎). Touted as the “grandfather of tsukemen”, Rokurinsha is one of the pioneers of the iconic Tokyo invention and is a go-to for many ramen lovers worldwide. Since its establishment in 2005, it has attracted many loyal customers who followed the store when it moved to Tokyo Ramen Street a few years ago. To this day, people can be seen queuing outside the store even before it opens!
Another big name at Tokyo Ramen Street is Ikaruga (斑鳩), which specialises in pork broth (豚骨 tonkotsu) ramen. The store was originally located at Kudanshita, one of the quieter neighbourhoods in central Tokyo, and it moved to Tokyo Ramen Street not so long ago. I remember eating at their original location back in 2014 and was ecstatic to hear that they moved to a more central (read: convenient) location soon after. One of the best things about this store: despite changing location, the taste remains the same, if not better.
Finally, Tokyo Ramen Street is home to SORANOIRO (ソラノイロ), a ramen joint that made its name with their vegetarian and vegan ramen options. Going against the grain of a dish that is traditionally meat-based, SORANOIRO has shown that non-meat eaters need not miss out on ramen. Their vegetarian and vegan options are popular among female patrons, and the store also has non-vegetarian options.
I always look forward to any trip to Japan, and most of my trips that involve taking a bullet train almost always start from Tokyo station. And of course, the fun doesn’t just start from Tokyo station; it already starts at the station itself. I find that any trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without a bowl of ramen. I mean, wouldn’t it be perfect if my journey in Japan starts or ends with one? Food is one of the main reasons peopleーincluding myselfーtravel, so why not do it before kickstarting your journey in eastern Japan?
Closing
Usually, when it comes to train stations, people often think of them as nothing more than gateways to their destination. It need not be this way; some stations are food havens that are worth exploring if you make time for it. Before you hop on your train out of Tokyo station, try look out for their ramen street. For discerning ramen hunters who would come to Japan just to scout out good ramen, mark this place on your maps. I have been here a couple of times over the years, and I have still yet to check out the rest of the stores. I would come here again, any day!
Tokyo Ramen Street (東京ラーメンストリート)
Address: B1F, Yaesu South Exit, Tokyo Station, Tokyo
Access: Inside JR Tokyo Station (JR東京駅)
JR TOKYO Wide Pass
The JR TOKYO Wide Pass is an affordable pass offering unlimited rail travel on JR East lines (including bullet trains) in the valid area for 3 consecutive days. At ¥15,000, you can use it to travel from Tokyo to many other places within the designated areas, such as Nikko, GALA Yuzawa, Karuizawa and more. You can also make seat reservations online for free, up to 1 month in advance, on the JR-EAST Train Reservation.
Header image credit: JR East / Nazrul Buang
