More About Japan 
When people think of famous ramen prefectures in Japan, names like Fukuoka or Hokkaido often come to mind.
However, the prefecture that consumes the most ramen is actually Yamagata.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ “Household Budget Survey (for households with two or more people) – Prefectural Capital and Government-Designated City Ranking (Average for 2013-2015),”
Yamagata City in Yamagata Prefecture had the highest expenditure on chuka soba (ramen) among all cities, averaging 15,057 yen per household.
Which Prefecture Eats the Most Ramen? | Food Management 365 Days | Nakamura Gakuen University | Food Management Department Special Site ※Link unavailable
One of the most iconic ramen shops in Yamagata is Akayu Ramen Ryushanhai.
On my way to Ginzan Onsen, I stopped by Ryushanhai and enjoyed a piping hot, lard-rich ramen perfect for a snowy region.
If you are traveling or on a business trip to Yamagata, I highly recommend visiting this spot!
Yamagata: Japan’s Top Ramen Prefecture & Home to Ryushanhai
I visited Akayu Ramen Ryushanhai in February, when the snow was still deep.
On my way from Sendai to Ginzan Onsen, I stopped by the Higashine branch.
Yamagata is famous for cherries, and Higashine City is actually Japan’s top cherry-producing region.
Near the entrance, I spotted a motorcycle hidden among potted plants.
Perhaps it belongs to the owner?
Even though I arrived right after opening on a weekday, the waiting area inside was already full of people.
It wasn’t a particularly touristy day, so it’s clear that this shop is extremely popular among locals.
The menu featured Ryushanhai’s specialty: Karami-so Ramen, along with Chicken-based Akayu Shoyu Ramen and a seasonal Hiyashi Chuka (cold ramen) available in summer.
Since we were a party of two, we ordered one Karami-so Ramen and one Akayu Ramen.
After waiting for about 10 minutes, we were finally seated.
Everyone inside was silently enjoying their steaming bowls of ramen, warming up from the cold.
Checking the menu on the table, I noticed that there were no side dishes or drinks—just Karami-so Ramen, Akayu Shoyu Ramen (with or without chashu), and the summer-limited Hiyashi Chuka.
Clearly, they focus solely on their ramen.
The main branch of Ryushanhai is located in Nanyo City, Yamagata, and they have additional locations across Yamagata Prefecture as well as a branch in the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum.
Karami-so Ramen & Akayu Ramen: Rich, Flavorful Broths
At last, the Karami-so Ramen arrived, with its signature spicy miso dollop in the center!
The soup was thick, packed with umami, yet not overly salty—just perfectly rich and smooth.
It was absolutely delicious.
Mixing in the spicy miso added a doubanjiang-like kick, but I honestly preferred it before mixing.
The flat, wavy noodles had a silky texture and excellent chewiness.
Next was the Akayu Shoyu Ramen, with a thin layer of oil on top to keep it steaming hot.
While shoyu ramen is often light, this broth had a deep, rich dashi flavor.
It’s made from chicken bones, meat, and seafood for an extra layer of complexity.
My wife even commented, “This might be the best shoyu ramen I’ve ever had.”
Final Thoughts
Yamagata truly deserves its title as Japan’s top ramen prefecture.
Living in Fukuoka, I’m used to thin noodles and tonkotsu broth, so trying ramen like this was a refreshing change.
Next time I visit Yamagata, I’ll definitely be coming back!
