Highlights
- 12th edition: 6 sessions, 20 weekend days (21 Nov – 30 Dec 2026), 11:00–21:00
- 10 shops per session, 60 in total — the line-up changes every session
- Free entry (park admission ¥450 for high-school age and above)
Background & story
A long-running winter ramen festival staged at the iconic Expo '70 park, drawing acclaimed shops from across Japan.
Ramen Expo Osaka 2026 (12th Ramen EXPO) runs 21 November (Sat) – 30 December (Wed) 2026 at Expo '70 Commemorative Park, Festival Plaza (Omatsuri Hiroba) in Suita, Osaka — 20 weekend days across 6 sessions ("maku"), 11:00–21:00, with 10 shops per session (60 in total). Entry to the festival is free; you pay the park admission (¥450) and buy ramen tickets on site. Official site checked 2026-10-13.
Dates — all six sessions (official)
| Session | Dates (2026) | Days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21–23 November | Sat–Mon (holiday) |
| 2 | 27–29 November | Fri–Sun |
| 3 | 4–6 December | Fri–Sun |
| 4 | 11–13 December | Fri–Sun |
| 5 | 18–20 December | Fri–Sun |
| 6 | 26–30 December | Sat–Wed |
Hours: 11:00–21:00. Held in light rain (may be cancelled in bad weather).
🔴 Note for 21 November (Sat) only: because of the park's fireworks event, the expo closes at 16:00 and reopens 20:00–22:00 (last order 21:30). From 16:00 the venue is reserved by the fireworks organizer, so only holders of a fireworks ticket may enter.
Shops — 2026 line-up not announced yet
10 shops per session, 60 in total. Regional ramen from across Japan, with a different line-up in every session — so the date you pick decides what you can eat.
The official site had not published the 2026 shop list when checked 2026-10-13 (its only 2026 news item is the 3 September announcement of the dates, which says details will be added "as soon as they are decided"). Check the official site or its X account (@ramen_expo) before you choose a session.
Prices and tickets
- Festival admission: free
- Park admission is required (Expo '70 Commemorative Park — Natural and Cultural Gardens / Japanese Garden combined ticket): ¥450 for high-school age and above, free for junior-high age and under. The park raised this fee on 1 April 2026, so older guides that quote ¥260 are out of date.
- Ramen is paid for with tickets. The 2026 ticket price has not been announced (checked 2026-10-13) — check the official site.
Where it is and how to get there
Festival Plaza (Omatsuri Hiroba), Expo '70 Commemorative Park, 1-1 Senri Banpaku Koen, Suita, Osaka 565-0826 — the park with the Tower of the Sun in Suita, not the Expo 2025 site.
- Osaka Monorail "Banpaku-kinen-koen" station → about 5 minutes on foot to the park's Central Gate; the park lists the Festival Plaza as a 15-minute walk from the station.
- Osaka Monorail (Saito Line) "Koen-Higashiguchi" station → also about 15 minutes on foot to the Festival Plaza.
- By car: there is no dedicated event car park, and the organiser recommends public transport — park car parks and nearby roads can be congested on the day. If you do drive, check the park's parking page for live availability.
Details are subject to change without notice — check the official site for the latest information. Last checked 2026-10-13.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Osaka Monorail Banpaku-kinen-koen station: about 5 min on foot to the park's Central Gate and 15 min to the Festival Plaza. Also 15 min on foot from Koen-Higashiguchi station (Saito Line). Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Check tickets and details on the official page (button above).
- Paying
- Festival entry free. Park admission required (Natural and Cultural Gardens / Japanese Garden combined ticket): ¥450 for high-school age and above, free for junior-high age and under (revised 1 Apr 2026). Ramen is paid for with tickets; 2026 ticket price not yet announced (checked 2026-10-13).. Smaller venues in Japan are often cash-first — carry some yen (cards/IC not guaranteed).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- food lovers, families, groups of friends
Good to know
The line-up changes every session (10 shops each, 60 in total), so pick your date by shop once the 2026 list is out (not yet announced, checked 2026-10-13). On Sat 21 Nov only, the expo closes at 16:00 for the fireworks and reopens 20:00–22:00 for fireworks ticket holders only. The Festival Plaza is about 15 minutes on foot from Banpaku-kinen-koen station.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Ramen Expo Osaka 2026?
- 21 November (Sat) to 30 December (Wed) 2026, across 6 sessions totalling 20 weekend days: 21-23 Nov, 27-29 Nov, 4-6 Dec, 11-13 Dec, 18-20 Dec and 26-30 Dec. Hours are 11:00-21:00 (official site, checked 2026-10-13).
- Where is Ramen Expo Osaka held?
- At the Festival Plaza (Omatsuri Hiroba) of Expo '70 Commemorative Park, 1-1 Senri Banpaku Koen, Suita, Osaka - the park with the Tower of the Sun, not the Expo 2025 site. The park lists the Festival Plaza as a 15-minute walk from Osaka Monorail Banpaku-kinen-koen or Koen-Higashiguchi station.
- How much are tickets for Ramen Expo 2026?
- Festival admission is free, but you need the park admission ticket (450 yen for high-school age and above, free for junior-high age and under; revised on 1 April 2026). Ramen is paid for with ramen tickets; the 2026 ticket price had not been announced (checked 2026-10-13) - check the official site.
- Is Ramen Expo cash only?
- The official FAQ says e-money cannot be used and payment is in cash. Some food stalls may accept e-money, but mobile signal at the venue can be unstable, so the organiser recommends paying in cash (checked 2026-10-13).
- Which shops are coming to Ramen Expo 2026?
- 10 shops per session, 60 in total, with a different line-up each session. The official site had not yet published the 2026 shop list (checked 2026-10-13), so check ramen-expo.com before choosing your date.
- Anything to watch out for on 21 November?
- On 21 November only, the expo closes at 16:00 for the park's fireworks event and reopens 20:00-22:00 (last order 21:30). From 16:00 the venue is reserved by the fireworks organizer, so only fireworks ticket holders may enter.
- Is Ramen Expo held in the rain?
- It goes ahead in light rain but may be cancelled in bad weather. Check the official site or the official X account (@ramen_expo) on the day.
Getting there
Expo '70 Commemorative Park, Festival Plaza — 1-1 Senri Banpaku Koen, Suita, Osaka 565-0826