We only had a half day trip here but could have easily spent more time. Our focus was Cup Noodles, Ramen and a dystopian arcade, Warehouse.

Cup Noodles Museum 

I love cup noodles and of course, I had to hit up a museum about it. We made reservations for the chicken noodle workshop, where you made noodles from scratch. The workshop was mostly in Japanese but our instructor gave us short sentences and words to guide us, and a English instruction guide.

It was informative on how to make instant noodles –who knew you steam it to cook it and then deep fry to dry it out! When we ate this back home, it was the BEST instant noodles I’ve ever had. So fresh and flavorful even without a msg pack. 

We were running out of time before the museum closed but luckily we got to also customize our cup noodles. You buy a cup from the machine for $3, decorate the cup with markers and then proceed to a factory line where the workers add freshly made noodles, add your pick of four toppings and seal it up. They even give you this air-purse to protect it while you travel with the customized cup! So cool. 

The museum itself was also informative and inspiring to learn about how cup noodles were invented. I never put so much thought into it but now, I have a deeper respect for instant noodles.

Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum

On the theme of noodles, we wanted to check out the Ramen Museum’ in Yokohama. It wasn’t so much a museum but a 1950s themed food court featuring different ramen from all over Japan. 

We ramen hopped from three shops to try their mini-bowl for about $6. We had tonkatsu (pork), miso, shoyu and tuna-based broths. The ramen was great and the atmosphere was also fun. I loved the themed decor that took us back in time. 

Warehouse Arcade

In between Yokohama and Tokyo lies a themed-arcade that look insanely cool and eerie in Kawasaki. This was Warehouse, an arcade that was reimagined to a dystopian  Kowloon, a district in Hong Kong. This arcade was 5 stories high and even the exterior was rusty dirty looking. 

I wasn’t sure how to enter the rusted bolt doors until Chi approached closer and they were automated and slide open to reveal a dark dirty grungy alley.  The back exit felt like I had entered the sewers and had stepping stone bridge with toxic looking waters. 

The second and third level introduced some games with the same dark look. But as you venture further, the arcade opens into a more modern area. I noticed the male bathroom to also be themed. It looked disgusting from the door but Chi confirmed it was very clean and spotless. I peeked into the female washroom but was somewhat disappointed to see bright pink walls and clean modern facilities. 

The upper levels had more games from darts, pool to crane games with gigantic Pringles to win. We did play some games and they were super fun and cheap. We played Mario kart racing and some animated zombie shooting game for a good two hours and only spent like $5.