Food Theme Parks

When you think of theme parks you usually think of Mickey and his friends or some high thrill roller coaster but in Japan there is another type of theme park, The Food Theme Park.

Food theme parks or museums, as they are sometimes called, are usually exotically decked out dining experiences where not only can you taste the theme ingredient but lean a little of the history of the cuisine and sometimes even see how it is made.

Ramen or noodle museums are quiet popular, one we visited in Yokohama is called the Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum and is a must see for anyone visiting this fascinating port city. The multi levelled museum was themed to a Tokyo setting in the early 1950′s complete with alleys, ramen stall and memorabilia. There were more than 10 cafes and restaurants selling various forms of noodle with plenty of people queuing up to taste the delicious treat.The museum also had several quiet interesting displays on how ramen was made and the important place noodle has played on Japanese history and culture throuout the years. There was also a gift shop where you could purchase an indescribable array of ramen and souvenirs.

Yokohama is also home to the Yokohama Daisekai this theme park not far from the Motomachi Chukagai Station in China Town features a Chinese inspired menu. There is a huge food court, Chinese gift shop and even a 3D theatre.

For meat lovers go no further than the Meatrea Meat Theme Park in Minami-Osawa which is in outer Tokyo. Here you will find everything meat including such delicacies made from beef, chicken, pork and other meat products. One favourite on the menu is Pork with ice-cream- Yum!.

The huge Universal City complex next to Universal Studios is home to another very popular museum or theme park. This time celebrating Osaka’s favourite delicacy Octopus Balls or Takoyaki as they are known. This great theme park is decked out with a cute little character based on the takoyaki and plenty of cafes and takoyaki stalls. The gift shop sells some great merchandise and of course frozen Takoyaki to enjoy later.

Ikeburkuro is home to the Gyozo Stadium where you guessed it they serve delicious gyoza. The stadium is part of the Sunshine City complex which houses quiet a few food museums. The Gyoza Stadium has a 1950′s theme and plenty of tasty gyoza.

The museums or theme parks don’t only feature savoury items there are plenty of sweet theme parks too. Ice-cream City inside the Namjatown at Sunshine City has more choices’ for ice-cream than you can imagine. Don’t eat too many icy treats because the Tokyo Dessert Republic is only doors away. Other sweet theme parks include chocolate, pancakes, waffles to name a few.

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