When people talk about local ramen in Toyama, they mean “Toyama Black” – ramen with a jet-black soup. The shop known as its originator is Nishicho Taiki Honten (西町大喜 西町本店), in the center of Toyama City.
This article introduces the ramen at Nishicho Taiki Honten and the way the shop itself recommends eating it. It also covers the menu and prices, opening hours, how to get there from Toyama Station, and a few things to know before you go.
I ate here on July 13, 2025. All the ramen photos were taken on that visit.
About the information in this article
- Opening hours, prices and access were checked on October 11, 2026, on the official Nishicho Taiki website.
- All prices include tax. The official website notes that prices may differ slightly between branches.
- Hours and prices can change. Please check the official website for the latest information before you go.
- What Is Nishicho Taiki? Founded in 1947, the Original Toyama Black
- The Ramen I Had at Nishicho Taiki Honten
- How to Eat Nishicho Taiki’s Ramen: Mix Everything First
- Menu and Prices
- Nishicho Taiki Honten: Opening Hours and Access
- Things to Know Before You Go
- Stop By TOYAMA Kirari After Your Meal
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Summary
What Is Nishicho Taiki? Founded in 1947, the Original Toyama Black
Nishicho Taiki is a ramen shop founded in 1947 (Showa 22). Its official website calls it the “original Toyama Black ramen.”
According to the official website, the ramen was created by the founder, Mr. Takahashi (高橋青幹), known as “Oyassan.” He made a strongly seasoned bowl with plenty of chashu pork for workers who brought their own lunch boxes and rice balls.
In other words, it began as “ramen to eat as a side dish with rice.” That origin is why the soup is black and the flavor is so strong.
Word spread, and the website says that as many as 1,000 people once lined up on the day of a Toyama festival. Today the shop is loved by three generations – grandfathers, fathers and grandchildren.
Official: History of Taiki | Nishicho Taiki (Japanese)
The Ramen I Had at Nishicho Taiki Honten
When the bowl arrived, the soup was so black that I could not see the bottom. It was topped with a mound of coarsely chopped white leeks and plenty of coarsely ground black pepper.
I ordered the regular size (nami).
Firm, Thick, Straight Noodles
The noodles are thick and straight. The official website also describes them as “firm, straight, thick noodles.” When you lift them with chopsticks, you can see that they have taken on the color of the black soup.
Plenty of Chashu and Menma Under the Leeks
Under the leeks there is plenty of chashu pork and menma (seasoned bamboo shoots). According to the official website, the chashu is cut by hand and the menma is seasoned to be “salty.”
My Impression: Salty, Yet Delicious
The whole bowl is salty. And yet, even though it should be too salty, I found it delicious.
That said, if you asked me whether I wanted to drink the soup, my answer would be “no.” It seems best to think of the soup as something that flavors the noodles and toppings, not something to drink.
How to Eat Nishicho Taiki’s Ramen: Mix Everything First
Nishicho Taiki has an officially recommended way of eating its ramen. If it is your first time, it helps to know these two points.
1. Mix the Noodles and Toppings Well in the Soup Before Eating
The official website says “三味一体［まず］混ぜよ！” – roughly, “Three flavors as one: mix first!” It means you should mix the noodles, chashu and menma in the soup before you start eating.
Do not start eating the moment the bowl arrives. Let everything blend together first.
2. Eat It With Rice
This ramen was originally served as a side dish for rice. The official website also recommends eating it with Koshihikari rice grown in Toyama.
If you are not good with strong flavors, choose a set that comes with rice.
| Item | Description (as written on the official website) |
|---|---|
| Noodles | Firm, straight, thick noodles |
| Soup | Dark soy sauce soup |
| Toppings | Salty menma, hand-cut chashu, coarsely chopped leeks, coarsely ground black pepper |
Official: Menu | Nishicho Taiki (Japanese)
Menu and Prices
There is only one kind of ramen, called chuka soba. You just choose the size.
| Menu | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Chuka soba, regular (並) | 950 yen |
| Chuka soba, large (大) | 1,400 yen |
| Chuka soba, extra large (特大) | 1,850 yen |
| Set: chuka soba (regular) + rice | 1,100 yen |
| Set: chuka soba (large) + rice | 1,600 yen |
| Rice | 200 yen |
| Onigiri (rice ball) | 200 yen |
| Raw egg | 100 yen |
| Chuka soba to take home (souvenir pack) | 1,900 yen |
There are also draft beer (550 yen), bottled beer (550 yen), non-alcoholic beer (400 yen) and soft drinks (200 yen each).
*Prices checked on the official website on October 11, 2026. They may differ slightly between branches.
Nishicho Taiki Honten: Opening Hours and Access
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Nishicho Taiki Honten (西町大喜 西町本店) |
| Address | 1-1-7 Otaguchi-dori, Toyama City, Toyama 930-0063 |
| Phone | 076-423-3001 |
| Opening hours | 11:00–20:00 |
| Closed | Wednesdays (the following day if Wednesday is a public holiday) |
| Seats | 27 (counter seats only) |
| Parking | None (coin-operated parking lots nearby) |
Official: Shop List | Nishicho Taiki (Japanese)
By Tram From Toyama Station
Take the city tram (streetcar) from Toyama Station and get off at either of these stops.
| Tram stop | From the stop to the shop |
|---|---|
| Grand Plaza-mae (グランドプラザ前) | 1-minute walk |
| Nishicho (西町) | 3-minute walk |
The tram ride from Toyama Station to either stop takes about 12 minutes (according to the access guide on the official website of the Toyama Glass Art Museum).
By Car
The shop is about 10 minutes from the Toyama IC on the Hokuriku Expressway. It has no parking lot, so use a coin-operated parking lot nearby.
There Is Also a Branch Inside Toyama Station
If you are short on time, you can also use the Toyamarche branch (とやマルシェ店) inside Toyama Station. Its opening hours and closing days are different from the main shop.
| Branch | Opening hours | Closed | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nishicho Honten (main shop) | 11:00–20:00 | Wednesdays (the following day if a public holiday) | 1-minute walk from the Grand Plaza-mae tram stop |
| Toyamarche branch (とやマルシェ店) | 10:00–21:30 | Open every day | Inside “Toyamarche” in Toyama Station |
| Futakuchi branch (二口店) | 11:00–21:00 | Thursdays | About 10 minutes by car from Toyama IC (parking for 28 cars) |
Things to Know Before You Go
- The flavor is very strong. The official website itself describes it as “strongly seasoned” with “salty menma.” It is made to be eaten with rice.
- There are only 27 counter seats. There are no tables. For large groups or small children, consider the Toyamarche or Futakuchi branches, which have tables.
- Closed on Wednesdays. If Wednesday is a public holiday, the shop closes the following day instead.
- It closes at 20:00. You cannot eat here late at night.
- There is no parking lot. If you come by car, use a coin-operated parking lot nearby.
- Hours may change during Obon and the New Year holidays. Check the “News” page on the official website.
Stop By TOYAMA Kirari After Your Meal
Very close to the main shop is the TOYAMA Kirari complex. The building houses the Toyama Glass Art Museum and the main branch of the Toyama City Public Library.
Architect Kengo Kuma was involved in the design. Inside is a large atrium lined with diagonal wooden boards, and the building itself is worth seeing.
I visited TOYAMA Kirari first and then walked to the shop. Both are close to the Nishicho tram stop, so they are easy to visit together.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-1 Nishicho, Toyama City, Toyama |
| Toyama Glass Art Museum hours (permanent exhibition) | 9:30–18:00 (last entry 30 minutes before closing) |
| Toyama Glass Art Museum closed | 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, year-end and New Year holidays |
| Access | About 1 minute on foot from the Nishicho tram stop; about 2 minutes from Grand Plaza-mae |
*Checked on the official website on October 11, 2026. The museum may close for exhibition changes.
Official: Visitor Information | Toyama Glass Art Museum
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What are the opening hours and closing days of Nishicho Taiki Honten?
A. It is open 11:00–20:00 and closed on Wednesdays. If Wednesday is a public holiday, it closes the following day instead (checked on the official website on October 11, 2026).
Q. Why is the soup of Toyama Black ramen black?
A. Because it is a dark soy sauce soup. Nishicho Taiki’s ramen was made with a strong flavor so that workers could eat it as a side dish with rice.
Q. I hear it is salty. Any tips for enjoying it?
A. Mix the noodles and toppings well in the soup before eating, and then eat it with rice – that is the official recommendation. When I ate it, the whole bowl tasted salty, but it was still delicious.
Q. How much is the ramen?
A. Regular is 950 yen, large is 1,400 yen and extra large is 1,850 yen (tax included). The set with a regular bowl and rice is 1,100 yen.
Q. Is there a parking lot?
A. Not at the main shop. Use a coin-operated parking lot nearby. If you are driving, the Futakuchi branch has parking for 28 cars.
Q. Can I eat it near Toyama Station?
A. Yes. There is a Toyamarche branch inside “Toyamarche” in Toyama Station. It is open 10:00–21:30, every day of the year.
Summary
Nishicho Taiki Honten, founded in 1947, is known as the originator of Toyama Black ramen.
- The ramen is a black, dark soy sauce soup with firm thick noodles, hand-cut chashu, menma, coarsely chopped leeks and black pepper
- The official recommendation is to mix everything well before eating and to eat it with rice
- Prices are 950 yen (regular), 1,400 yen (large) and 1,850 yen (extra large), tax included
- Open 11:00–20:00, closed on Wednesdays (the following day if a public holiday)
- Take the city tram from Toyama Station; the shop is a 1-minute walk from the Grand Plaza-mae stop
- Counter seats only (27 seats), and no parking lot
References and official information (checked on October 11, 2026)
- Nishicho Taiki official website (Japanese)
- History of Taiki | Nishicho Taiki (Japanese)
- Menu | Nishicho Taiki (Japanese)
- Shop List | Nishicho Taiki (Japanese)
- Visitor Information | Toyama Glass Art Museum
- TOYAMA Kirari Architectural Concept | Toyama Glass Art Museum
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