A City of Ramen, Sake, Crafts, and Traditional Japanese Storehouses Converted into Shops
Blessed with an abundance of water and rice, Kitakata in Fukushima Prefecture is known for its love of ramen and, also, for its most excellent sake. Walk around the town center and see the many remaining kura, or traditional Japanese storehouses, that have been converted into inns, shops, breweries, and specialty stores. Many of them are concentrated in the city center. At Kitakata Kura no Sato, several culturally and historically important Edo- and Meiji-era buildings have been rebuilt in this museum, including residences of two prominent merchant families.
With over 100 ramen restaurants competing to serve the best Kitakata ramen, you're spoiled for choices. Kitakata ramen uses thick, flat, curly noodles, served in a pork and niboshi (dried sardines) broth, and each restaurant serves its own interpretation. Locals recommend eating it for breakfast. Sake is another key facet of Kitakata life and business, since this region is famed for its rice production and quality. Many local breweries offer tours, which include sake-tasting opportunities.
Kitakata has a long history of lacquerware and woodwork using paulownia wood. You can participate in quite a few workshops in various places to make traditional crafts and foods, such as stencil dyeing, toasted rice crackers, and traditional candy known as kinako nejiri.
With over 100 ramen restaurants competing to serve the best Kitakata ramen, you're spoiled for choices. Kitakata ramen uses thick, flat, curly noodles, served in a pork and niboshi (dried sardines) broth, and each restaurant serves its own interpretation. Locals recommend eating it for breakfast. Sake is another key facet of Kitakata life and business, since this region is famed for its rice production and quality. Many local breweries offer tours, which include sake-tasting opportunities.
Kitakata has a long history of lacquerware and woodwork using paulownia wood. You can participate in quite a few workshops in various places to make traditional crafts and foods, such as stencil dyeing, toasted rice crackers, and traditional candy known as kinako nejiri.
