Fans of Chiikawa have something to look forward to this spring. The immensely popular themed ramen shop, Chiikawa Ramen BUTA, inspired by Nagano’s beloved characters, will be relocating from Shibuya PARCO to a brand-new location at Ikebukuro PARCO’s main building, 8th floor, starting Saturday, 31 May 2025.
Operated by PARCO Co., Ltd., Chiikawa Ramen BUTA is styled after the fictional “buzz-worthy ramen shop” seen in the Chiikawa series—an animated and illustrated universe that blends endearing visuals with surprisingly dark humour. The Shibuya location will cease operations on Tuesday, 6 May 2025, paving the way for the much-anticipated reopening in Ikebukuro at the end of the month.
Ramen, Stickers, and Original Bowls
At the heart of the experience is the ramen itself, available in three charmingly named sizes: Mini (Chiikawa), Small (Hachiware), and Large (Usagi). Each dish is served in an original, limited-edition bowl featuring one of the main characters, making the experience all the more immersive. Guests who order a ramen dish will receive a specially designed sticker matching the bowl used—a subtle yet satisfying collectible for fans.
Chiikawa Ramen BUTA doesn’t stop at noodles. The drinks menu offers just as much character, quite literally. Customers can choose from an array of original beverages, such as bottled black oolong tea with character-branded labels, Momonga’s White Soda, Kurimanju’s Sober Period Cola, and Rakko’s Melon Soda. For adults, draft beer served in character-branded mugs is also available.
Every drink purchase comes with a random clear card featuring illustrations from the Chiikawa universe—an enticing bonus for those looking to build their collection of official character goods.
To celebrate the Ikebukuro grand opening, the shop will reintroduce its wildly popular summer limited-edition dish: Chilled Chinese Noodles with Kakino-tane Topping. Available from 31 May to 31 August 2025.
Merchandise Available Onsite and Online
Diners can also browse a curated selection of exclusive goods, available only to customers who have dined in-store. Many of the items feature the same designs seen on the ramen bowls, drinkware, and more, making them the perfect memento from a delightful themed meal.
For those unable to visit in person, the merchandise will also be sold through the official online platform, Chiikawa Market, ensuring that fans nationwide can get their hands on these limited-edition items.
In tandem with the new store opening, Chiikawa will also be appearing in an entirely different kind of setting—your local bookshop. The 2025 Kodansha Bunko Spring Fair will launch across participating bookstores nationwide from late April, showcasing a heartwarming collaboration between Chiikawa and Yomook, Kodansha’s original polar bear mascot.
This marks the first team-up between the two characters since the 2022 Spring Reading Fair, making it a highly anticipated return. This year’s campaign expands the Chiikawa cast, bringing fan favourites like Kurimanju, Rakko, Momonga, Furuhonya, and Shisa into the fold.
Shoppers who purchase any of the selected titles will receive a limited-edition bookmark. Designed to resemble Chiikawa and Yomook peeking out from between the pages, these bookmarks come in three colours and are precision-sized to avoid sticking out from the top of the book, thus preventing wear and tear during travel.
Additionally, 100 lucky customers will win a special edition book voucher via a lottery draw, open exclusively to those participating in the collaboration fair. All items are exclusive to the Kodansha × Chiikawa event and are expected to become collector’s items in their own right.
Whether you're slurping down a comforting bowl of themed ramen or flipping through a novel with a cheerful bookmark, Chiikawa continues to charm its audience through cleverly integrated pop culture experiences.
The reopening of Chiikawa Ramen BUTA in Ikebukuro and the launch of the Kodansha Spring Fair illustrate the continued momentum of Nagano’s whimsical creation, offering fans new ways to interact with the franchise through taste, literature, and collectables alike.
