If you love ramen, there’s one town in Japan you cannot miss – Sano, in Tochigi prefecture. Just 80 minutes from Tokyo by train, this small city is famous for its light, flavorful ramen made with some of the clearest spring water in Japan.
Sano isn’t just about castles and temples – the main attraction here is noodles! The town even has a tourist map showing 60 ramen shops, and its mascot, Sanomaru, is a samurai dog with a bowl of ramen on his head.
What makes Sano ramen special?
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The broth is a mix of soy sauce, pork, and chicken.
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It’s not heavy or greasy, but light and perfect even for breakfast.
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The noodles are made the old-fashioned way with the aodakeuchi method, where chefs use a bamboo pole to knead the dough. This makes the noodles springy, curly, and full of flavor.
Some must-visit spots:
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Tamuraya – famous for its beef-tendon broth, golden marinated eggs, and even wontons.
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Menya Yosuke – started by a chef trained at Tamuraya. Known for tender pork belly, crispy gyoza, and plenty of seats for groups.
Sano’s ramen shops are mostly small, family-run, and stick to traditions. With ramen this good, you might want to stay more than a day just to try more bowls.
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