{"id":1640,"date":"2025-11-23T14:57:55","date_gmt":"2025-11-23T05:57:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/hotel-ristorante-il-regalo-_copied-2\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T22:35:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T13:35:43","slug":"kirin","status":"publish","type":"spot","link":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/kirin\/","title":{"rendered":"Kirin, the Kitakata Ramen Specialty Shop"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\"><\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/kirin\/#What_is_What_is_Kirin_the_Kitakata_Ramen_Specialty_Shop\" >What is What is Kirin, the Kitakata Ramen Specialty Shop?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/kirin\/#Exquisite_Kitakata_Ramen_Woven_from_Three_Types_of_Soy_Sauce\" >Exquisite Kitakata Ramen Woven from Three Types of Soy Sauce.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/kirin\/#How_to_Enjoy_Recommended_Activities\" >How to Enjoy \/ Recommended Activities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/kirin\/#Basic_Information\" >Basic Information<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/kirin\/#Access\" >Access<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/kirin\/#Nearby_Accommodations\" >Nearby Accommodations<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-what-is-kirin-the-kitakata-ramen-specialty-shop\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_What_is_Kirin_the_Kitakata_Ramen_Specialty_Shop\"><\/span><strong>What is What is Kirin, the Kitakata Ramen Specialty Shop?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to taste Kitakata Ramen, a local favorite in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture, be sure to stop by Kirin, a specialty Kitakata Ramen shop. Kitakata Ramen is counted among Japan\u2019s \u201cBig Three Ramen\u201d alongside Sapporo and Hakata Ramen, and is famous nationwide as a soy sauce-based ramen. Its key features are curly noodles with a high water content that are carefully aged, paired with a clear and light soy sauce broth. In the local culture, it is common to enjoy \u201cAsa-R\u0101\u201d (morning ramen), catering to early-rising farmers, night-shift factory workers, and travelers arriving on early-morning trains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05316-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1691\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05316-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05316-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05316-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05316-2048x1365.webp 2048w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05316-2x1.webp 2w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-liquid-speech-balloon liquid-speech-balloon-wrap liquid-speech-balloon-00\"><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-avatar\"><\/div><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-text\"><p>The shop attracts both tourists and locals alike. In 2020, they opened a branch near Tsuruga Castle (Wakamatsu Castle) in Aizuwakamatsu, and also operate locations in Kitakata City and Fukushima City. Its convenient location near the castle makes it an ideal stop for visitors wanting to enjoy this iconic ramen during their Aizu sightseeing tour.<\/p><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-arrow\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"spot-middle-banner-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05318-scaled.webp\"\/><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"exquisite-kitakata-ramen-woven-from-three-types-of-soy-sauce\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Exquisite_Kitakata_Ramen_Woven_from_Three_Types_of_Soy_Sauce\"><\/span>Exquisite Kitakata Ramen Woven from Three Types of Soy Sauce.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Kirin\u2019s biggest appeal is undoubtedly that you can enjoy three different types of soy sauce ramen. The soups use soy sauce from the local maker, Hoshi Brewery, which imparts a rich, deep flavor and aroma honed over a long history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each ramen has its own unique character: the classic Golden Soy Sauce combines chicken bones, aromatic vegetables, pork bones, dried sardines, and kelp in the \u201cSpecial Golden Soy Sauce Kitakata Chuka Soba with Meat.\u201d The White Soy Sauce with Shellfish Broth, subtly infused with clams and shijimi, features in the \u201cShellfish Wonton White Soy Sauce Chuka Soba.\u201d And the Dark Soy Sauce, made with a double-brewing method, delivers a robust depth of flavor in the \u201cSpecial Kujo Green Onion and Back Fat Dark Soy Sauce Chuka Soba.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n  <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives\">\n    <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__list\">\n              <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item\">\n          <div class=\"item-col\" data-offer=\"1\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05317-scaled.webp\" alt=\"\">\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal\" data-offer=\"1\">\n          <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal__content\">\n            <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives-image\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05317-scaled.webp\" alt=\"\">\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment\">\n              <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__author\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1ebc84b96fb57dd37b41610382576f2aa5dcbd37fd157d7a6ab3c6cffb8ca21d?s=96&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g\" alt=\"\">\n                <span>OsakiYohei<\/span>\n              <\/div>\n              <p class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__desc\"><\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n              <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item\">\n          <div class=\"item-col\" data-offer=\"2\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05316-2-scaled.webp\" alt=\"\">\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal\" data-offer=\"2\">\n          <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal__content\">\n            <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives-image\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05316-2-scaled.webp\" alt=\"\">\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment\">\n              <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__author\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1ebc84b96fb57dd37b41610382576f2aa5dcbd37fd157d7a6ab3c6cffb8ca21d?s=96&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g\" alt=\"\">\n                <span>OsakiYohei<\/span>\n              <\/div>\n              <p class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__desc\"><\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-liquid-speech-balloon liquid-speech-balloon-wrap liquid-speech-balloon-00\"><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-avatar\"><\/div><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-text\"><p>For families, the shop also offers a Kids\u2019 Ramen (\u00a5400), making it a convenient stop for those exploring with children!<\/p><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-arrow\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-enjoy-recommended-activities\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Enjoy_Recommended_Activities\"><\/span><strong>How to Enjoy \/ Recommended Activities<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On holidays, the Kitakata branch opens at 7 a.m., making it a perfect opportunity to join the locals for a morning ramen experience. Slurping the steaming noodles will warm you from the inside out and give you energy for the day ahead. Interestingly, in Japan, making a slurping sound while eating noodles is not considered bad manners\u2014so feel free to enjoy your ramen to the fullest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you visit around lunchtime, the branch near Tsuruga Castle is ideal before or after sightseeing. After taking in the castle views, a hot bowl of ramen tastes even better. However, the shop is extremely popular on weekends, and you may have to wait up to 30 minutes during peak hours, so visiting slightly earlier, later, or on a weekday is recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-vk-image-photoFrame-tilt-right\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"1694\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05317-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1694\" style=\"width:355px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05317-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05317-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05317-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05317-2048x1365.webp 2048w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05317-2x1.webp 2w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-vk-image-photoFrame-tilt-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"1695\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05319-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1695\" style=\"width:381px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05319-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05319-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05319-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05319-2048x1365.webp 2048w, https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC05319-2x1.webp 2w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basic-information\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basic_Information\"><\/span><strong>Basic Information<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Open hours\u30fbClosed days:<\/strong>\uff1a<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u30fbShiro-mae Branch: Weekdays: 11:00 a.m. \u2013 3:00 p.m&nbsp; Weekends &amp; Holidays: 11:00 a.m. \u2013 5:00 p.m&nbsp; Open every day<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"access\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Access\"><\/span>Access<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d16816.716344674107!2d139.90534633897914!3d37.48907531625796!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x5ff555dc037d0a37%3A0xcb7dfbe6d3531eca!2sKitakata%20Ramen%20Specialty%20Shop%2C%20Kirin%20shiromae!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sjp!4v1769751510156!5m2!1sen!2sjp\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" style=\"border:0;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Address<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shiro-Mae Branch\uff1a1-84 Higashisakaemachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 965-0872,Japan<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Access<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shiro-Mae Branch\uff1aAbout 10 minutes by car from Aizuwakamatsu Station on the JR Ban\u2019etsu West Line. About 3 minutes on foot from the Kitademaru Parking Lot at Tsuruga Castle (Aizuwakamatsu Castle).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nearby-accommodations\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nearby_Accommodations\"><\/span>Nearby Accommodations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"ryokan-cards\"><div class=\"ryokan-card\">\n            <a class=\"ryokan-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/ryokan\/chitose\/\">\n                <figure class=\"ryokan-card__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC01605-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Chitose &#8211; Hinano Inn-\"\/><\/figure>\n                <div class=\"ryokan-card__titleset\">\n                    <div class=\"ryokan-card__title-wrapper\">\n                        <span class=\"ryokan-card__title\">Chitose &#8211; Hinano Inn-<\/span>\n                        <p class=\"ryokan-card__area-info\">Niigata Prefecture<\/p>\n                    <\/div><ul class=\"ryokan-card__tag-list\"><\/ul><\/div>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div><div class=\"ryokan-card\">\n            <a class=\"ryokan-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/ryokan\/tamakiya\/\">\n                <figure class=\"ryokan-card__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC01216-scaled-1-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Sake Inn -Tamakiya-\"\/><\/figure>\n                <div class=\"ryokan-card__titleset\">\n                    <div class=\"ryokan-card__title-wrapper\">\n                        <span class=\"ryokan-card__title\">Sake Inn -Tamakiya-<\/span>\n                        <p class=\"ryokan-card__area-info\">Niigata Prefecture<\/p>\n                    <\/div><ul class=\"ryokan-card__tag-list\"><\/ul><\/div>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div><div class=\"ryokan-card\">\n            <a class=\"ryokan-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/ryokan\/kamosumori\/\">\n                <figure class=\"ryokan-card__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC07325-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"KAMOSUMORI\"\/><\/figure>\n                <div class=\"ryokan-card__titleset\">\n                    <div class=\"ryokan-card__title-wrapper\">\n                        <span class=\"ryokan-card__title\">KAMOSUMORI<\/span>\n                        <p class=\"ryokan-card__area-info\">Niigata Prefecture<\/p>\n                    <\/div><ul class=\"ryokan-card__tag-list\"><\/ul><\/div>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is What is Kirin, the Kitakata Ramen Specialty Shop? If you want to taste Kitakata Ramen, a local favorite in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture, be sure to stop by Kirin, a specialty Kitakata Ramen shop. Kitakata Ramen is counted among Japan\u2019s \u201cBig Three Ramen\u201d alongside Sapporo and Hakata Ramen, and is famous nationwide as a soy sauce-based ramen. Its key features are curly noodles with a high water content that are carefully aged, paired with a clear and light soy sauce broth. In the local culture, it is common to enjoy \u201cAsa-R\u0101\u201d (morning ramen), catering to early-rising farmers, night-shift factory workers, and travelers arriving on early-morning trains. Exquisite Kitakata Ramen Woven from Three Types of Soy Sauce. Kirin\u2019s biggest appeal is undoubtedly that you can enjoy three different types of soy sauce ramen. The soups use soy sauce from the local maker, Hoshi Brewery, which imparts a rich, deep flavor and aroma honed over a long history. Each ramen has its own unique <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1694,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"area":[2],"purpose":[],"ryokan-tags":[106,136],"spot-category":[],"class_list":["post-1640","spot","type-spot","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","area-aizu","ryokan_tag-access-by-public-transport","ryokan_tag-aizu"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot\/1640","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/spot"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1694"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"area","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/area?post=1640"},{"taxonomy":"purpose","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/purpose?post=1640"},{"taxonomy":"ryokan_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ryokan-tags?post=1640"},{"taxonomy":"spot-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot-category?post=1640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}