What if a bowl of ramen could bring you exam success?
At Ichiran Dazaifu Sando Ten, you can try a special “Gokaku Ramen
(Pass Exam Ramen)” with 59cm-long noodles and a lucky five-sided bowl — inspired by nearby Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
Just steps from one of Japan’s most famous shrines for academic success, this ramen shop offers more than a meal. It offers hope, tradition, and a little bit of magic in every bite.
- What Is Ichiran? Fukuoka’s Famous Tonkotsu Ramen Chain
- Why Ichiran Is So Popular: The Custom Order Sheet Experience
- Eating Without Distractions: The Famous “Flavor Concentration Booth”
- Only in Dazaifu: The Special “Gokaku Ramen(Pass Exam Ramen)”
- Why This Ramen Is Considered Lucky
- Hidden Lucky Symbols in the Bowl
- Lucky Details Inside the Shop
- Ichiran Dazaifu Wait Time and Digital Ticket System
- Is Ichiran Dazaifu Worth the Wait?
- Final Thoughts
- Practical Information: Ichiran Dazaifu Sando Ten
- LINK
What Is Ichiran? Fukuoka’s Famous Tonkotsu Ramen Chain
If you visit Fukuoka, you will quickly learn one thing: everyone knows Ichiran.
Founded in Fukuoka, Ichiran is one of Japan’s most famous tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen chains.
Today, it has expanded across Japan and overseas, attracting fans from all over the world. For many travelers, eating at Ichiran is a must-do Japanese food experience.
But what makes it so special?
Why Ichiran Is So Popular: The Custom Order Sheet Experience
A Revolutionary Way to Order Ramen
Ichiran was the first ramen chain to introduce a detailed order sheet system. Instead of simply ordering “one ramen,” you customize every detail to match your taste.
You fill out a paper sheet before your meal, and your ramen is prepared exactly as you request.
What You Can Customize
You can choose:
- Richness of the soup
- Strength of flavor
- Amount of garlic
- Level of spiciness (secret red sauce)
- Amount of green onions
- Firmness of the noodles
- Amount of oil
If you are unsure, simply select “Medium” for everything. That gives you the classic, well-balanced Ichiran flavor.
The beauty of this system is that you can keep adjusting your preferences each time you visit, slowly creating your own perfect bowl.
Eating Without Distractions: The Famous “Flavor Concentration Booth”
One of Ichiran’s most unique features is the “Flavor Concentration Booth.”
Each seat is separated by wooden dividers, allowing you to focus entirely on your ramen. You don’t need to worry about being watched or distracted.
Even the kitchen is partially hidden behind a bamboo curtain, so interaction with staff is minimal.
This design became especially popular among solo diners and women who might have felt shy entering a ramen shop alone in the past.
Here, you can enjoy your meal comfortably and privately.
If you are dining with friends, the partitions can be opened so you can chat together. It’s flexible, thoughtful, and very uniquely Ichiran.
Only in Dazaifu: The Special “Gokaku Ramen(Pass Exam Ramen)”
Near Dazaifu Tenmangu — one of Japan’s most important shrines dedicated to learning — Ichiran created something extraordinary.
This branch offers a limited menu item you cannot eat anywhere else:
The “Gokaku Ramen(Pass Exam Ramen).”
Dazaifu is known nationwide as a place students visit to pray for academic success.
Ichiran embraced that spirit and designed a ramen filled with lucky symbols and wordplay.
Why This Ramen Is Considered Lucky
59cm-Long Noodles
The noodles are an incredible 59 centimeters long — about twice the length of regular ramen noodles.
Why 59?
In Japanese, the numbers 5 (go) and 9 (ku) sound like “go-kaku,” which means “to pass an exam.”
Eating these extra-long noodles symbolizes long-lasting success and good fortune.
There’s even an old saying in Japan: “Tsuru-tsuru (crane), kame-kame (turtle), engi yoshi.”
Cranes and turtles represent longevity and happiness. Long noodles symbolize a long and fortunate life.
The Five-Sided Bowl
The bowl itself is shaped like a pentagon.
“Go-kaku” (pass) sounds like “go-kaku” (five angles).
It’s playful word magic — but deeply meaningful in Japanese culture.
Even the design is symbolic: when you drink the soup from one of the bowl’s corners, it is said to flow smoothly into your mouth — just like success entering your life smoothly.
Hidden Lucky Symbols in the Bowl
Look closely, and you’ll notice even more thoughtful details.
- Plum blossoms, the symbol of Dazaifu
- A design resembling a lucky ema (wooden prayer plaque)
- The word “Decision” written at the bottom of the bowl
The moment you finish your ramen and see that word at the bottom feels surprisingly powerful — as if your success has already been decided.
Lucky Details Inside the Shop
The good-luck theme continues throughout the store.
There is a pen attached to the desk with a string.
In Japanese, “ochinai” means “not to fall” — and it also means “not to fail an exam.” The pen “never falls,” symbolizing exam success.
The water glasses are labeled “TALL.” In Japanese, “tōru” means “to pass.”
The pronunciation playfully echoes the idea of passing an exam.
Even the names of the people involved in launching the shop reportedly include lucky characters such as “celebration” and “fortune.”
It may sound playful, but when you are facing an important exam, every symbol of encouragement matters.
Ichiran Dazaifu Wait Time and Digital Ticket System
Ichiran Dazaifu Sando Ten is extremely popular, so expect a wait — especially on weekends and holidays.
Here’s how the system works.
Step 1: Get a QR Ticket
Use the ticket machine in front of the store to print a QR ticket.
Scan the QR code to check your estimated waiting time on your phone.
When your number is called, return to the store and line up in front.
When I visited around 11:00 AM on a holiday, staff told me the wait would be about one hour.
I used that time to visit Dazaifu Tenmangu.
About 30 minutes later, I was called back — but I still needed to wait in the physical line outside for another 30 minutes before entering.
Just as staff predicted, I entered the restaurant exactly one hour after getting my ticket.
Before noon, some customers were already told to expect a two-hour wait.
Step 2: Purchase Your Meal Ticket (Vending Machine Guide)
After your number is called and you are lining up outside, you will find a ticket vending machine along the waiting line.
This is where you purchase your meal ticket before entering the seating area.
The machine is available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, making it easy for international visitors to use.
As of February 2026:
- Gokaku Ramen(Pass Exam Ramen): 980 yen
- Extra noodles (Kaedama): 210 yen
“Kaedama” is a unique Hakata ramen custom.
When you finish your noodles but still have soup left, you can order an extra serving of noodles to enjoy the remaining broth.
The vending machine accepts cash, credit cards, and various cashless payment methods (you can check the supported options displayed at the bottom of the machine).
After purchasing your ticket, hand it to the staff together with your completed order sheet inside the restaurant.
Is Ichiran Dazaifu Worth the Wait?
If you are looking for a simple bowl of ramen, maybe not.
But if you want a uniquely Japanese experience — where food, wordplay, tradition, and hope come together — then absolutely yes.
Eating the Gokaku Ramen(Pass Exam Ramen) near Dazaifu Tenmangu is more than just lunch. It feels like participating in a small cultural ritual. It’s meaningful, memorable, and unlike any other ramen in Japan.
If you or someone you love has an important exam coming up, this might be the most delicious way to wish for success.
And even if you’re just traveling, it’s a story you’ll never forget — a 59cm strand of noodles carrying a little bit of luck.
Don’t Miss the Souvenir Corner
Before you leave, take a moment to check the souvenir area near the exit.
You’ll find fun Ichiran-themed capsule toys (gachapon) and instant ramen products that allow you to recreate the Ichiran experience at home.
It’s a small but charming way to bring a piece of your lucky ramen experience back with you.
Final Thoughts
At first glance, the “Gokaku Ramen(Pass Exam Ramen)” may seem like a playful bowl filled with lucky symbols.
But once you take your first sip, you realize something important — this is not just about good fortune.
Ichiran is a ramen master that has perfected its tonkotsu broth over decades.
The rich aroma, the silky noodles, the precise balance of flavor — everything reflects a deep commitment to quality.
The lucky theme may draw you in, but the taste is what makes you stay.
And when you customize your bowl through the order sheet, something even more special happens. You are not just eating ramen — you are choosing it. Adjusting the garlic, selecting the noodle firmness, deciding the spice level. The final bowl feels personal, almost earned.
That sense of satisfaction — “This is exactly how I like it” — is powerful.
It makes you curious.
What if I try it a little richer next time?
What if I add more spice?
Before you know it, you’re already thinking about your next visit.
In the end, Ichiran Dazaifu Sando Ten offers more than a lucky charm before an exam.
It offers a memorable food experience — one that blends craftsmanship, culture, and personal choice into a single bowl.
And that may be the most meaningful part of all.
Practical Information: Ichiran Dazaifu Sando Ten
Business Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Last order 6:45 PM)
Seats: 16 counter seats
Phone: 050-1808-2430
Parking: None
Payment: Cash and various cashless payment methods accepted
Because seating is limited to 16 counter seats, waiting times can be long during weekends and peak seasons.
If you are visiting during busy travel periods, plan accordingly and allow extra time.
LINK
After enjoying your bowl of good-luck ramen, why not continue the journey?
Just steps away, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine offers centuries of history, beautiful seasonal scenery, and a peaceful place to make your own wish.
Start with our Complete Guide to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine for must-see spots, seasonal highlights, and insider tips.
Before you step through the torii gate, take a quick look at proper shrine etiquette to make your visit respectful and meaningful:
Read our easy-to-follow Dazaifu Tenmangu Visiting & Prayer Guide.
And if you’d like to keep tasting your way along the approach, don’t miss our two-day comparison of Dazaifu’s iconic sweet:
We tried 12 shops serving the famous Umegae Mochi — discover which one you should try next.
コメント