Tokyo’s Ultimate Ramen Festival: Tsukemen Expo

What is Otsukemen Expo?

Shinjuku may be best known for its nightlife, but for a few weeks each year, it turns into a hotspot for some of the most delicious and unique ramen in Japan. Tsukemen ExpoThe Japan Ramen Festival, also known as the “Okubo Ramen Festival” in Japanese, is Tokyo’s premier ramen festival, where top ramen shops from across the country gather at Shinjuku Okubo Park for a month-long celebration. For foodies, it is a rare opportunity to taste bowls from Hokkaido to Kyushu in one place.

If the word “festival” is synonymous with party, then Tsukemen Expo is no exception, with an impressive 116 ramen restaurants. Each restaurant will be at a stall for about 4 days, so no matter when you go, there’s always something new to try. Therefore, multiple visits are recommended due to the many opportunities.

Each shop offers their signature ramen and special creations made just for the event. You can even add extras like lavish limited-edition toppings only available on site, such as black truffle slices or Hokkaido miso scallop sauce. Many of these ingredients aren’t even available at the original restaurant, making the experience truly unique.

Attending the festival also has the opportunity to meet some of Japan’s most famous ramen chefs, such as Onodera Hirohito, the master of “ONOde Ramen H” (ONOde ら～めんH) in Chiba Prefecture, who runs a members-only ramen restaurant that only serves one set per day. Although there were long lines at some stalls, things moved quickly thanks to the simple counter service format and efficient communal dining setup.

where to find it

Hosted by the Great Tsukemen Expo, it’s just a 10-minute walk north of Shinjuku Station. There is no admission fee and food and drinks can be paid for with your transit card at the ticket machines.

October is the best time of year to host outdoor festivals. Cooler temperatures call for a hot bowl of ramen.

why you should go

Some of Japan’s most popular ramen restaurants (many of which are nearly impossible to book) make special appearances at the Daitsumen Expo every year. For example, “Hotate Biyori”, a chic scallop noodle shop in Ginza that is usually fully booked by 9 a.m., will also appear this year. Another highlight was the “Hare Nochi Shigure” that came all the way from Ishikawa Prefecture, Salt (Salt) ramen made with puffer fish bones from the Noto Peninsula.

How to best enjoy it

A must try of course Tsukemen (Dip Ramen) – the festival’s namesake. Since the noodles are served separately from the broth, they stay perfectly al dente even after the short wait, making them ideal for a casual holiday-style meal. It’s also a great way for the chef to showcase the high quality of the noodles.

Some ramen shops have strict no-photo policies, but the festival encourages visitors to take photos of their bowls. There’s even a full photo booth, complete with professional lighting and a white backdrop for that perfect ramen photo.

This festive long table evokes an Oktoberfest atmosphere more than a typical Japanese food fair, and is perfect for conversation with other ramen lovers. Meet your neighbors to recommend which ramen they should try next, and observe what works best for your next bowl.

Suffice it to say, you won’t go hungry at the Tsukemen Expo. While you may be inspired to jump on Shinkansen And visit these area ramen shops yourself. Think of the Daitsumen Expo as an experiential event to experience the Japanese ramen landscape, all condensed into one park.

This year’s festival will take place from Wednesday 8 October to Monday 24 November. Opening hours are 11:00 am to 9:00 pm daily

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Updated on October 10, 2025