About
Caption: View of Kurume City center, Fukuoka Prefecture. Photo: Tim Vickerman/Wikimedia Commons
Kurume City Center serves as the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen, with the first shop opening in 1937 at the portable food stall Nankin Senryo on Meiji-Dori. 🔗 Located in southern Fukuoka Prefecture along the Chikugo River, Kurume offers route travelers a unique opportunity to experience authentic tonkotsu ramen culture alongside traditional crafts including kasuri textiles and Rantai lacquerware. The city center is approximately 10-15 minutes from Route 3, making it an accessible culinary and cultural stop.
In 1937, Tokio Miyamoto opened a portable food stall called Nankin Senryo on Meiji-Dori street, creating the first tonkotsu ramen. 🔗 Initially serving a clear soup similar to chuka soba, the iconic cloudy white broth emerged in 1947 when another vendor, Katsumi Sugino of the Sankyu stall, accidentally left his soup cooking too long, creating the pure white, rich broth that defines tonkotsu ramen today. 🔗
Cultural & Historical Significance
The city center revolves around Nishitetsu Kurume Station, where 11 ramen shops cluster within a 10-minute walk, forming a ramen walking route through the historic district. 🔗 The area also features Kurume Ramen Yokocho (Ramen Alley) in the Bunka Gai neighborhood, a nostalgic back alleyway lined with unique ramen shops and food stalls that continue Kurume's 80+ year tradition of street food culture. 🔗
What Makes Kurume Ramen Distinct: Kurume ramen employs the hagama (round-bottomed cooking pot) method and yobidashi technique where broth is stewed for extended periods and topped up as it reduces. This creates a richer, more gelatinous tonkotsu than Hakata or Nagahama varieties, with somewhat thicker noodles. 🔗
Beyond ramen, Kurume preserves traditional crafts including Kurume kasuri, an indigo-dyed cotton fabric designated as a National Important Intangible Asset invented over 200 years ago by 12-year-old Den Inoue. 🔗 The city is also known for Rantai lacquerware, traditional bamboo pieces woven and coated with multiple layers of lacquer that become more beautiful with use. 🔗
Kurume Suitengu Shrine, constructed in 1190 and relocated to its current riverside location in 1650, serves as the headquarters for all Suitengu shrines in Japan. The shrine venerates Emperor Antoku as the god of water and has evolved to become known for protecting safe childbirth. 🔗
Visiting Information
Hours:
- Ramen shops typically operate 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM (lunch) and 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM (dinner), with variations by shop 🔗
- Taiho Ramen Main Store: 10:30-21:00, closed January 1 🔗
- Suitengu Shrine: Open daily
- Craft shops (Jibasan Kurume at JR Station): Standard retail hours 🔗
Access from Route:
- From Route 3 (National Route 3): Approximately 10-15 minutes to city center via local roads
- Meiji-Dori avenue (National Route 264) runs through city center where original Nankin Senryo operated 🔗
Parking:
- Kurume City Plaza: ¥200 for first hour, ¥100 per 30 minutes after 🔗
- Additional parking available through "Kuruppa P NAVI" guide near station district
Route Context: 10-15 minute detour from Route 3; perfect for lunch or cultural stop
Seasonal Considerations: November 1 offers pleasant autumn weather with temperatures around 12-13°C, mild and dry conditions ideal for walking between ramen shops and shrine 🔗
The Experience
Best Ramen Shops:
Taiho Ramen Main Store - Established in 1953, ranked #1 of 853 restaurants in Kurume on TripAdvisor. Located 10 minutes walk from Nishitetsu Kurume Station. Known for exceptional broth quality with visitors noting "the soup is surprisingly not heavy, and the firm, thin noodles go down very smoothly." 🔗 Even at 3 PM on weekdays, the restaurant maintains steady traffic, requiring a waiting list system.
Nankin Senryo Honke - The original birthplace of tonkotsu ramen, located near JR Minami-Kurume Station. The only shop still in operation from the original 1937 family brand. 🔗
Daiei Ramen - Five minutes walk from Nishitetsu Kurume Station. Practices traditional yobimadoshi soup-making method, adding new soup to the old since 1973. 🔗
Kurume Ramen Seiyoken - Long-established shop creating tonkotsu ramen using domestically sourced pork bones, simmered for three full days to produce rich, collagen-packed broth. 🔗
Traditional Crafts Shopping:
Jibasan Kurume (JR Kurume Station) - Comprehensive shop offering local sake, ramen noodles, sweets, Kurume kasuri textiles, and Rantai lacquerware. Located adjacent to tourist information center for convenient one-stop cultural shopping. 🔗
Kurume Kasuri - Indigo-dyed cotton fabric invented over 200 years ago, designated National Important Intangible Asset. Modern applications include sundries, sneakers, and everyday items popular as souvenirs. 🔗
Rantai Lacquerware - Traditional bamboo ware made from locally grown bamboo, split, woven, and coated with multiple lacquer layers. Lightweight and sturdy, pieces develop more character with use. Popular items include chopsticks and confectionary utensils. 🔗
Kurume Suitengu Shrine - Located 8-10 minutes walk from JR Kurume Station overlooking the Chikugo River. Constructed in 1190, relocated to current riverside location in 1650. Serves as headquarters for all Suitengu shrines in Japan, primarily known for safe childbirth blessings. 🔗
Practical Visiting Tips
Driving Considerations:
- Route 3 access approximately 10-15 minutes to city center
- Parking available at City Plaza and surrounding areas (budget-friendly)
- Meiji-Dori (National Route 264) runs through ramen district - watch for pedestrian traffic near stations
- Consider 2-3 hour total stop for ramen + cultural exploration 🔗
Route Integration:
- Major culinary and cultural stop between Itoshima and Kumamoto
- Tonkotsu ramen origin experience complements Itoshima's oyster culture
- Traditional crafts (kasuri, Rantai) preview Kyushu's artisan heritage
- Represents transition from coastal to inland cultural offerings
Crowd Avoidance:
- Arrive before 11:30 AM or after 2:00 PM to minimize wait times
- Popular shops like Taiho use waiting list system - write name and explore nearby while waiting
- Service turnover is fast even when busy; waits typically worthwhile for quality
- Mid-afternoon (2-3 PM) offers quieter experience while most shops remain open 🔗
Best Ramen Strategy:
- For Authentic History: Nankin Senryo Honke - The original birthplace maintains 1937 traditions
- For Top Quality: Taiho Ramen - TripAdvisor #1 rated, worth the wait
- For Traditional Method: Daiei Ramen - Authentic yobimadoshi technique since 1973
Local Etiquette:
- Ramen shop waiting lists: Write name clearly and stay nearby when called
- Finish broth to show appreciation for the chef's long-simmered effort
- Shrine visits: Standard Shinto etiquette at Suitengu (bow, clap, silent prayer)
- Photography: Respectful shots of food and exteriors; ask permission before photographing interiors
Weather Preparation:
- November temperatures 12-13°C require light layering
- Comfortable walking shoes essential for navigating between station district and shrine
- Light jacket easily removed when entering warm ramen shops
Location: View on Google Maps
Source: attractions/itoshima-to-kumamoto-main-route/kurume-city-center.md