The first instant ramen noodle product was invented by Momofuku Ando in Ikeda, Osaka prefecture and started to sell on 25 August 1958. Momofuku, Chinese born in Japan occupied Taiwan in 1910, and later moved to Japan and naturalized as a Japanese citizen.
The world first instant ramen noodle was Chikin(Chicken) ramen which is still produced today and can be found everywhere in the supermarkets throughout Japan. Company established by Momofuku later changed its name to Nissin Food Products Co. in the end of 1958.
Then, several another instant noodle products followed but the biggest hit was Cup Noodles in 1971. This was the first instant noodles which you do not need any bowl. Just pour the hot water in it and wait for 3 minutes.
CupNoodles museum Osaka Ikeda opened in 1999. You can enjoy the history of Nissin and also you can make your own ramen noodles. There are Chicken ramen workshop and Cup Noodles workshop which you can enjoy for JPY 500/JPY 400(JPY 300 till 31 March 2020). Cup Noodles workshop does not need any reservation an can be enjoyed between 09:30 and 15:30 but Chicken ramen workshop must be reserved and there are classes at 09:30, 11:00, 13:15 and 14:45. The duration are 45 minutes for Cup Noodles and 90 minutes for Chicke ramen. There is no admission for entering the museum.
Nearest station is Ikeda station which is on Hankyu Takarazuka line. It takes 18 minutes from Hankyu Osaka Umeda station by express train and 24 minutes by local train. Then, 5 minutes walk from Ikeda station to the museum. Open daily except Tuesday(will open on Tuesday in case of public holiday but will be closed on the following day - Wednesday) and the year end/year beginning. Please note that there is a similar museum in Yokohama too.
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