ICHIRAN Souhonten

If you’re a ramen lover, you’ve probably heard of a restaurant called “Ichiran” in Fukuoka.

Today, I’d like to introduce the “Ichiran Sohonten,” which serves as both the headquarters and flagship store of Ichiran, located in Nakasu, the heart of Fukuoka City.

As a Fukuoka resident, I think this is a fascinating stop for foreign tourists. That’s because it combines not only the ramen itself but also one of Fukuoka’s most famous foods with a dining experience unique to Japan.

Ichiran is now world-famous, but its story began right here in Fukuoka in 1960.

Although the company has since expanded its business throughout Japan and overseas, its headquarters remains in Fukuoka. The current headquarters is located within the distinctive Ichiran Building in Nakasu.

For ramen lovers visiting Kyushu, savoring Ichiran in the city where it all began is sure to be an extra-special experience. And you simply can’t miss the building itself.

Look for the tall, dark building lined with rows of red Ichiran lanterns and adorned with a large circular red-and-green logo.

Especially at night, it blends perfectly into the bright and lively atmosphere of Nakasu.

Tonkotsu ramen.

Tonkotsu ramen is one of Fukuoka’s signature dishes. It is characterized by its rich tonkotsu broth and thin noodles.

At Ichiran, the signature bowl is officially called “Classic Tonkotsu Ramen (Established in 1960),” and the current price at the flagship store is 1,080 yen.

Ichiran’s bowl typically features thin noodles immersed in a creamy pork bone broth, topped with green onions, thinly sliced pork, and Ichiran’s signature red spicy sauce drizzled down the center.

For first-time visitors, I highly recommend tasting the ramen once before mixing the red sauce completely into the broth.

First, try the soup on its own.

Then, slowly mix in the sauce.

As you continue eating, you’ll notice the flavor changing.

Flavor Concentration Counter.

For many overseas visitors, the most memorable part of ICHIRAN may actually be the seating.

Instead of sitting around a large communal table, customers sit at individual booths separated by wooden partitions.

ICHIRAN calls these seats its “Flavor Concentration Counter.”

The idea is simple: remove distractions and allow you to concentrate entirely on your ramen.

The system was originally developed so customers could enjoy their meal without worrying about the people around them or even interacting extensively with staff.

At the Nakasu Souhonten, all 40 seats are currently Flavor Concentration Counter seats—14 on the first floor and 26 on the second floor. The restaurant underwent a major renovation in 2024, including an updated version of these booths.

For someone visiting Japan for the first time, it can feel unusual.

But that is part of the fun.

You sit down, face your ramen, and for the next few minutes the entire world seems to disappear.

Order Sheet

Another feature I like about ICHIRAN is the ability to customize your ramen.

Rather than receiving exactly the same bowl as everyone else, you can specify preferences such as the richness of the soup, garlic, green onion, spicy sauce and noodle firmness.


So even if you visit with several friends, everyone can create a slightly different bowl.

If it is your first visit, I recommend staying relatively close to the standard settings before experimenting with stronger flavors.

And if you finish your noodles but still have soup remaining, try kaedama—an extra serving of noodles.

At the Souhonten, a full extra serving is currently ¥210, while a half serving is ¥150.

For anyone with a big appetite, this is an essential part of the Fukuoka ramen experience.

🌙 Why I Recommend Visiting the Nakasu Location

There are several ICHIRAN restaurants around Fukuoka, so why choose this one?

For me, the answer is location and atmosphere.

Nakasu is one of Fukuoka’s most famous nightlife areas. Restaurants, bars, neon signs and the riverside atmosphere make the neighborhood particularly lively after sunset.This means you can combine your ramen visit with an evening walk around central Fukuoka.

A good simple route is:Tenjin → Nakasu riverside → ICHIRAN Souhonten → Hakata

It gives you a pleasant introduction to central Fukuoka without requiring complicated transportation.And because this location is the company headquarters and head shop, it feels more like visiting an ICHIRAN landmark than simply eating at another branch.

⏰ Open 24 Hours

Another big advantage for travelers is that the Souhonten is currently open 24 hours a day. The company notes that hours or seating capacity can occasionally change because of operating conditions, so it is worth checking the official website before visiting.

That makes it particularly useful if you:

arrive in Fukuoka late at night,

want ramen after exploring Nakasu,

wake up unusually early because of jet lag,

or simply want a late-night bowl after drinks.

One detail to know: ICHIRAN currently applies a late-night charge between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

🚇 How to Get There

If you are staying near Hakata Station or arriving in Fukuoka by Shinkansen, getting to ICHIRAN Souhonten is very easy.

There are two simple options: take the subway or walk through central Hakata and Nakasu.

🚇 Option 1: By Subway — The Easiest Route

For first-time visitors, I recommend taking the Fukuoka City Subway.

At Hakata Station, follow the signs for the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line.

Take a train heading toward Meinohama / Tenjin.

Ride for 2 stops:

Hakata→Gion→Nakasu-Kawabata

Get off at Nakasu-Kawabata Station.

Follow the signs for Exit 2.

After leaving Exit 2, walk approximately one minute toward Tenjin.

Look for the distinctive ICHIRAN headquarters building with its famous red lanterns and large ICHIRAN logo.

🚇 Subway ride: approximately 3 minutes

💴 Fare: ¥210 for an adult

🚶 Walk from Exit 2: approximately 1 minute

This is the easiest route if you have luggage, if the weather is bad, or if this is your first time in Fukuoka.

Local Tip: You can also use transportation IC cards such as Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, nimoca, SUGOCA, and Hayakaken on the Fukuoka subway.

🚶 Option 2: Walk from Hakata Station — Great for Sightseeing

If the weather is nice and you enjoy exploring cities on foot, I recommend walking.

The area between Hakata Station and Nakasu contains several interesting neighborhoods and sightseeing spots, so the journey can become part of your Fukuoka experience.

Hakata Station → Hakata Old Town → Kushida Shrine area → Nakasu → ICHIRAN Souhonten

From Hakata Station's Hakata Exit, walk west toward central Hakata.

Continue along the Hakata Station area toward Kushida Shrine and the historic Hakata district.

From there, continue toward Nakasu, the famous entertainment district located between the rivers in central Fukuoka.

Once you reach Nakasu, head north toward Meiji-dori Avenue and Nakasu-Kawabata Station.

ICHIRAN Souhonten stands close to Nakasu-Kawabata Station and is easy to recognize by its large building and rows of red lanterns.

🚶 Walking distance: approximately 1.7–2 km

⏱️ Walking time: around 20–25 minutes

Allow a little longer if you stop for photographs or sightseeing along the way.

Kushida Shrine

Nakasu riverside

Thank you for reading!

I hope this guide helps make your visit to Fukuoka a little easier and more enjoyable. I’ll continue sharing local restaurants, hidden gems, scenic spots, and travel tips from Fukuoka and across Kyushu from a local Japanese perspective.

If you’re planning a trip to Kyushu, I hope you’ll join me for the next journey.

See you in the next guide — and enjoy your time in Fukuoka! 🍜🇯🇵