CUPNOODLES MUSEUM OSAKA IKEDA | Review by wendy

CUPNOODLES MUSEUM OSAKA IKEDA

A hands-on food education museum where you can learn about the history and development of the world's first instant ramen and make your own Cup Noodles.

27 Oct 2026 See More

On this trip to Osaka, we made a special visit to the CUPNOODLES MUSEUM in Ikeda, where the world's first instant noodles were invented!

It's about a 5–10 minute walk from Hankyu Ikeda Station, so it's pretty convenient to get to. The museum itself isn't very large, and admission is free. There's an entire wall of Cup Noodles that's great for photos, as well as animated videos and interactive exhibits about how instant noodles were invented. You can learn quite a lot while walking around.

We booked the noodle-making workshop online in advance, and it was definitely worth it! The instructor was very friendly and patient. We got to participate from beginning to end, and the whole process was even more fun than we expected. The instructor was also very encouraging.

You can also take the bandana home after the workshop, so it feels like an extra souvenir. The whole experience was really interesting!

Besides the noodle-making workshop, you can also design your own Cup Noodles here, choosing your favorite soup base and toppings to create a one-of-a-kind cup. It was genuinely a lot of fun.

Other Reviews by wendy

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Osaka

Originally launched in 1932 with a mission to foster “knowledge and learning through fun”, this themepark is dedicated to the same LEGO® blocks that are loved by kids and parents around the world.
- Osaka Port, Bay Area
- Amusement Parks & Theme parks
27 Oct 2026 See More

On this trip to Osaka, we also made plans to visit LEGOLAND Discovery Center Osaka! I originally thought it would have lots of rides like a typical amusement park, but after going inside, I realized it wasn’t as big as I had imagined. It mainly focuses on LEGO bricks and interactive games for kids.

Personally, I think it’s a little expensive if you’re buying a ticket just to come here. But if you have an Osaka Amazing Pass, it’s worth stopping by since admission is free!

There are a few pretty good attractions and several worth trying: Admission is free with the Osaka Amazing Pass. Remember to exchange your pass for a ticket at the entrance first, and then you can enter for free!

The 4D LEGO movie is highly recommended! It has 3D effects and is pretty entertaining overall. We didn’t have to wait very long when we went, so it’s worth fitting into your visit.

The KINGDOM QUEST shooting game is also quite fun. Each car seats 4 people. We had the kids sit in front and the adults in the back, and you use blasters to shoot targets along the way. Your scores are added up, so you can compete to see who hits the most!

The pedal bike ride is another attraction that a lot of people line up for. You pedal to make the vehicle rise higher, and it seems great for parents and kids to enjoy together. However, the line was too long that day, so we just gave up on it.

LEGO brick area & children’s PLAY ZONE: There’s a small LEGO brick area inside, as well as a slide. There’s also a PLAY ZONE specifically for kids. However, this area gets really crowded. You need to get a numbered ticket for a time slot first, then wait until your scheduled time before you can enter. Remember to bring socks!

Overall, the place isn’t very big and doesn’t have many attractions, so you may be a little disappointed if you’re expecting a large amusement park. But if you already have an Osaka Amazing Pass, you can add it to your itinerary, get in for free, and enjoy a few attractions. It’s still pretty nice!
Osaka Castle Park

Nationally designated special historical site, Osaka Castle Ruin, and the surrounding area were renovated into an urban park. 13 buildings of important cultural properties including Osaka Castle Main Tower, watchtowers and gates dot the vast 261-acre premises.
- Osaka Castle, Kyobashi
- Parks & Gardens
27 Oct 2026 See More

Of course, you can’t miss Osaka Castle when visiting Osaka! After actually walking around this time, I realized just how big Osaka Castle Park really is. It takes quite a while just to get around on foot.

If you don’t want your legs to be completely exhausted like me, I really recommend buying a ticket for the road train or shuttle bus. Unlimited rides for the whole day cost about JPY 1,000, and it saves you a lot of walking. I personally think it’s well worth it!

This time, I also visited Nishinomaru Garden. Since you need to buy a separate admission ticket, it was much less crowded inside. You can take a leisurely walk and photos without constantly having to avoid the crowds. Best of all, you can also get photos of Osaka Castle, and the whole view is beautiful. If you enjoy photography, it’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary.

Compared with squeezing through the crowds outside, it felt much more comfortable to walk slowly through the garden and look for good angles to photograph Osaka Castle! If you have enough time, I recommend not leaving right after seeing the main tower. The surrounding park and gardens are also well worth exploring. You really need to set aside some time for Osaka Castle Park, or all that walking alone will wear you out!
Hozenji Yokocho

“Hozenji Yokocho” is two stone-paved alleys in the grounds of Tenryuzan Hozenji Temple of the Jodo sect of Buddhism, and has been one of Japan’s most popular tourist attractions since the Meiji period (1868-1912).
- Shinsaibashi, Namba, Nipponbashi (Minami)
- Shopping Streets
20 Oct 2026 See More

Tucked away in Osaka’s bustling Namba district, Hozenji Yokocho is a retro alley that feels instantly removed from the noise outside. It has winding stone-paved paths, nostalgic Japanese-style shops, and red lanterns glowing on both sides, creating a distinctly Japanese atmosphere.

The alley is home to the famous Mizukake Fudo Myoo statue. Many people come to splash water on it and pray for good fortune. Over the years, the statue has become covered in lush green moss, creating a very unique sight.

I personally recommend visiting at night! After dark, the lanterns and shop lights illuminate the entire alley. Together with the old-fashioned stone pavement, they create an especially charming atmosphere. It’s a great place to take a leisurely walk, snap some photos, and experience a different side of Osaka away from its busy shopping districts.

The area mainly has restaurants, izakayas, and distinctive little shops. The attraction itself is small, so you don’t need to set aside much time. You can easily combine it with a visit to Dotonbori and Ebisubashisuji Shopping Street.