What to do on a rainy day? Making your own cup noodles in Osaka

During this Golden Week, I spent an extended trip in Osaka. Unfortunately, it rained midway, so I couldn’t visit USJ. Instead of just hanging out at shopping centers and pachinko parlors, which felt repetitive, I decided to look for nearby hot springs. That’s when I discovered the Cup Noodles Museum. Operated by Nissin, I initially thought the Cup Noodles Museum was only in Yokohama, but there’s one in Osaka too! Plus, it’s less crowded compared to Yokohama, making it highly recommended! Admission to the Cup Noodles Museum is free. While there isn’t much to see, the main reason to visit is because you can make your own custom cup noodles and chicken ramen! Both activities require reservations, but on rainy days or weekdays, you can often participate without one. For the cup noodles experience, reservations aren’t necessary, and you can check the waiting status on their website, which is helpful if you’re planning to visit on weekends. The chicken ramen (bagged noodles) experience involves frying and other hands-on activities, so if you go without a reservation, you might face a 1-2 hour wait. In this case, it’s recommended to check the chicken ramen experience schedule first, make a reservation, and then enjoy the cup noodles experience and museum tour. This way, an hour will pass quickly, and you can plan accordingly. I had about 2 hours to spare, so I only made cup noodles. You can make up to 3 cups per person, and each costs 500 yen. For chicken ramen, it’s limited to one per person, with a participation fee of 1,000 yen. For the cup noodles experience, here’s how it works: 1. Insert 500 yen into a dedicated vending machine to receive your cup. 2. Decorate the cup with the date and your own drawings. 3. Once the design is complete, proceed to fill the cup: - Add the noodles. - Choose one of four soup flavors. - Select four toppings from 12 options. 4. Package the cup to complete the process. You’ll receive a transparent plastic bag to store your cup noodles. Inflate the bag like a balloon to protect the cup from damage while carrying it. Although the taste is familiar, the process of making it is surprisingly fun. I regret only making one due to luggage constraints, but it’s a great activity for both kids and adults. + If you exit from the west side of Ikeda Station, you’ll find the Ikeda Castle ruins and garden (now a park). It’s a quiet and well-maintained spot, perfect for a leisurely stroll. + After visiting the Cup Noodles Museum, you might crave ramen. Conveniently, there’s an Ippudo branch right in front of the station. It’s less crowded compared to other locations and has a spacious interior. Highly recommended! They also have a self-serve bar for bean sprouts and pickled mustard greens, so you can enjoy as much as you like without feeling awkward. 🍜 Cup Noodles Museum Osaka (Google search) 📍Location: 5-minute walk from Ikeda Station East Exit on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line (20 minutes from Umeda Station) 📮Address: 8-25 Masumicho, Ikeda, Osaka 563-0041