How To Visit The Nissin Ramen Museum

It’s only fitting that Osaka, the undisputed food capital of Japan, is where instant ramen was invented during the 1950’s by Momofuku Ando. You can visit the Nissin Ramen Museum and learn about the history of instant ramen by making a short trip to this permanent exhibit. This guide will help you get from Hotel Kinki to the Nissin museum in a trip that takes around 45 minutes.

Start by walking to the Hep 5 building (the shopping complex with the red ferris wheel on its rooftop). Cross the road from the front entrance of Hep 5 and look for one of the entrances of Hankyu Umeda Station.

Buy a ticket that will get you to Ikeda station, and board a train that's bound for Takarazuka. An express train will get you to Ikeda in 20 minutes, but the local train isn’t much slower (and you might be able to score a seat easier!).

Exit the train at Ikeda station, walk thru the ticket gates and take the first exit you see down to the street.

Go to the south side of the tracks where you'll be able to find a Daiei department store. If you’re on the wrong side of the tracks you’ll see a series of bus stops.

Follow the walkway with the tracks running parallel to your left until you find this pachinko parlor, just beyond the station.

Walk down the mustard colored road that leads away from the train tracks. You will come across the Nissin Ramen Museum on your right hand side within a few minutes.

Admission to the museum is free, but make sure to arrive before the doors close at 3:30pm.

Visit the ATC - Osaka's Asia and Pacific Trade Center

The Asia Trade Center offers more than enough activities to fill an entire day. Located near Cosmo Square station on a man-made island in Osaka Bay, the ATC is accessible by riding the city’s subway lines.



The ATC is a huge complex and seeing it all in one day may not be possible. Split into several zones, the center features an outlet mall, a food and entertainment section, and a large hall where exhibitions and events are regularly held.



The outlet stores are not as tempting or as numerous as Osaka’s famed Rinku Town shopping center; however, depending on your luck, you may just find that killer bargain you were searching for!

In addition to outlet stores, the ATC houses a giant furniture store and many specialty import shops that feature exotic Asian merchandise. If you like window shopping, you definitely need to visit the ITM section of this center to see some crazy stuff!



Finally, one of the great aspects of this waterfront complex is their regular hosting of some of Osaka’s best events and exhibitions. Depending on your timing, you may be able to attend a music festival, a cosplay event, or a world-class tradeshow.

Visit The Umeda Sky Building

If you’re not scared of heights and want to get a good look at the city, the Umeda Sky Building is one of Osaka’s tallest structures and offers spectacular views from its rooftop observatory.

Located near the Yodogawa River in Kita-ku, this tourist attraction is only a 15-minute walk from the major train stations in downtown Umeda and should be on everyone’s list of things to see and do in Osaka.

On the lower floors of the building you’ll find movies theaters, shops and an exhibition hall. Currently, the exhibition features a tribute to Michael Jackson, complete with many of his personal artifacts and items from his Neverland Ranch.

Those looking for a great photo op and a bit of a thrill will need to pay a modest fee to get access to the observation deck -- 40-stories above!

Visitors going to the rooftop will be treated to rides in a glass walled elevator and an escalator that connects the two towers in midair -- just getting to the top of this unique structure is an experience not to be missed! But if you’re scared of heights, you might want to sit this one out…

On the top floor you’ll find a kid’s play area, cafeteria and many window-side seats. On the rooftop you’ll be greeted with panoramic views, and hopefully good weather!

Afterwards, if you’re feeling a bit hungry, you can visit the basement of this building where a reproduction of a Showa era street lies along with several restaurants.