Ichiran Ramen at Ueno Station: Try Japan’s Iconic 24-Hour Tonkotsu Ramen Spot
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Craving a steaming bowl of rich, flavorful tonkotsu ramen? Ichiran is a must-try for ramen lovers, and this Ueno Station location makes it easy to satisfy your cravings whenever they strike.
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A Taste of Hakata: Authentic Tonkotsu Ramen in Tokyo

If there’s one ramen shop on every traveler’s Japan itinerary, it’s Ichiran, known for its rich Fukuoka-style tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen, and available all over Japan. The broth is on another level from what you get overseas, with a velvety-smooth texture that verges on creamy, and deeply savory flavor crafted without artificial flavors, filling each bowl with an intense umami flavor that keeps diners coming back for more. It’s no surprise that Ichiran is consistently ranked among Japan’s top ramen shops, and the Ichiran in Ueno Station always has a line trailing out the door!
Ichiran Ramen Atre Ueno Yamashita Exit Branch (一蘭 アトレ上野山下口店)
7-1-1 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo
Hours: open 24/7
Official Website (jp)
Simple Menu, Customizable Ramen

When you go to Ichiran, you’re there for the signature tonkotsu ramen, so the shop’s menu has just one focus – you won’t find any other options! On the other hand, you can customize each bowl of tonkotsu ramen to perfectly suit your palate, and there’s a lot to decide. Each customer gets to fill out a little customization slip (in Japanese or English) and adjust the firmness of the noodles, the intensity of the broth, even amount of garlic and chili sauce, to achieve the ideal bowl of ramen. Of course, to top it all off, there are toppings too! Pile on the extra sliced pork, fresh green onions, nori sheets, and soft-boiled eggs, and order a little side of rice to balance the richness of the soup.

You can pay for extras at your seat, but for the most part orders are made at the ticket machine before you sit down. (Cash, credit cards, Japanese e-money methods like Suica, and other methods are accepted to make the payment process easy.) For dessert, order the sweet matcha-flavored almond tofu to balance out the savory ramen, and wash it all down with “Ichiran’s Original Tea,” a blend designed to cut through the rich oiliness of the broth and leave you feeling refreshed at the end of the meal. Or you can always just stick with beer, which goes perfect with ramen at the end of a long day of sightseeing.
Noodle Refill? Yes, Please!


Is one bowl not enough to satisfy your ramen cravings? Make sure to leave some broth for a refill, because Ichiran offers kaedama! While many overseas ramen-lovers tend to slurp up the whole bowl of soup as they eat, most Japanese diners focus more on the noodles, and it’s a common practice to order a “kaedama” – a fresh batch of noodles that gets added to whatever soup and toppings you have left. An extra kaedama allows you to double your enjoyment of each and every bowl, one of the many reasons fans keep coming back.
Experience Ichiran’s Famous Private Ramen Booths

One of Ichiran’s most unique features is the privacy it offers solo diners, famously leaving each customer in peace, allowing for complete focus on the ramen experience. Each seat along the counter is separated by partitions, and it’s this famously unusual cultural experience that fascinates many first-time visitors to Japan. Don’t worry if you’re planning to dine with company, though – the shutter-like partitions can be folded back to allow small groups of guests to eat together!
Try Japan’s Most Popular Ramen in Ueno

With its unbeatable convenience, 24/7 availability, customizable options, and signature tonkotsu flavor, Ueno Station’s Ichiran offers more than just a meal – it’s a full ramen experience. Stop by during your trip to Tokyo to see what all the fuss is about!
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