Ramen noodles, a divine religious experience in Japan with followers congregating in houses of worship called ramenya (ramen shop) to perform acts of praise, honour and devotion to hand-crafted noodles and accompaniments in an intensely flavourful broth.

Ippudo (一風堂) is a reputable franchise for quality noodling in the Fukuoka tradition. First opened in Hakata in 1985 with a counter seating capactiy of 10, Ippudo has grown to 34 locations throughout Japan with outposts in New York and Singapore. Shigemi Kawahara, who earned the title of Ramen King in 2005 when he was named Japan’s top Ramen Chef, directs and oversees this well known entity.

Ippudo Ramen Ebisu

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Premium Yebisu label

Yebisu (or Ebisu), the little, fat fisherman on the label of a bottle of Yebisu beer (left), is the Japanese god of fishermen. Actually, he has a few jobs. He is also god of good luck and workingmen. In his spare time he is the guardian of the health of small children.

Yebisu is my favourite Japanese beer so this called for a visit to Beer Museum Yebisu. And when I heard that they offered up a beer tasting tray at the tour finale I locked in my date with the fat fisherman and headed to the museum located at Yebisu Garden Place in Ebisu.

Let me get the important history bits out of the way before I move on to the beer. If I could take anything away from the history of the Yebisu beer it is the satisfaction in knowing that, in 40 years, the Yebisu beer girl has maintained a consistent cuteness.

Yebisu Girl 1968

Yebisu Girl 2008

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