Japan travel tips for first-time visitors

Short videos with Hako the cardboard box, written up and checked against official sources.

Topic · 2 tips

Ramen Types: Japan's Ramen Styles, Bowl by Bowl

The main ramen styles and how to tell them apart. Each tip below comes with a short video starring Hako, the written version, a Japanese phrase to try, and links to the official sources we checked.

  1. Video out Nov 326-second video · 5 tips

    Tonkotsu Ramen: Why Is It White?

    Tonkotsu means pork bone. The broth is made by simmering pork bones over high heat until it turns creamy and milky white. Tonkotsu ramen is widely believed to have started in Kurume, a city in Fukuoka Prefecture in Kyushu, and nearby Hakata, in Fukuoka City, is known for its own style with extremely thin, straight noodles.

    Covers: Why the soup is white · Where it is said to have started · Hakata style · Why the noodles are thin · Where to find it

  2. Video out Nov 523-second video · 3 tips

    Tsukemen in Japan: Dip the Noodles, Don't Pour

    Tsukemen means dipping noodles. The noodles and the dipping soup come separately: lift a few noodles, dip them in the soup and slurp, instead of pouring the soup over. Tsukemen is said to have started in Tokyo as a staff meal, and some shops offer soup-wari, thinning your leftover soup so you can drink it.

    Covers: Dip, do not pour · A few noodles at a time · Soup-wari at the end