Ramen shops in Japan, many of which are owner-operated, are often famous for having their own idiosyncrasies. There’s a whole culture of rules, for example, that surround eating at the famous Jirō brand.
One shop in Saitama Prefecture has made Japanese headline news for its unique new rule. The owner says he did it to protect his profits – but also because some customers just can’t seem to control their antisocial behavior.
At least one customer porn on his phone
Niboshi Ranbu in Kasukabe, Saitama Prefecture, serves niboshi ramen, or ramen with a broth made with dried baby sardines. Ranbu boasts a healthy 3.76 star rating on Japanese review site Tabelog. Given the site’s strict ratings system, that’s good enough to rank it as one of the 100 best ramen shops in East Japan in 2025.
That makes Ranbu a popular gathering spot for hungry ramen fans. However, it’s also a crowded spot: the small store only has six counter seats total. That means that anything one customer does has an outsized impact on other guests.
That’s why, in January, the store made a controversial move: it banned the use of smartphones while eating. Each seat at the restaurant bears a prominent sign warning customers against using their mobile devices while chowing down.
The store has given various reasons for the ban. In an interview with FNN Prime Online, owner Kawada Yuichi says the last straw was some customers putting their smartphones on top of the spices, such as the large cans of black pepper, set on the counter.
However, on his X account, Kawada also says that the “primary reason” was that some men (no, he doesn’t say “men”, but…come on) used their phones to watch an adult video while they ate.
Kawada confirmed this on April 1st in a post on the official Niboshi Ranbu account clarifying the store’s policy. The post clarifies that customers are allowed to take pics of their ramen for social media. “But our store’s thin noodles can get soggy easily,” he added, “so we want people to eat them while they’re fresh.”
The post further clarified that “it’s important that we protect the store’s environment and sanitary conditions, and we have had cases of people watching inappropriate videos and putting their devices on top of the condiments to watch videos.” The post also says they’ve had issues with drunk customers.
It’s hard out here for ramen shops
Ranbu may be irritated by the behavior of a few unruly customers. However, in an age where many ramen shops are struggling to stay afloat, the ban may also be good for business.
Want more news and views from Japan? Donate $5/month ($60 one-time donation) to the Unseen Japan Journalism Fund to join Unseen Japan Insider. You'll get our Insider newsletter with more news and deep dives, a chance to get your burning Japan questions answered, and a voice in our future editorial direction.
The number of ramen shops declaring bankruptcy set a new record in 2024. Many stores say they struggle with the so-called “1000 yen wall” – the belief that if they charge more than roughly 1,000 yen ($6.30) per bowl, they’ll drive away customers who feel that’s too much for a bowl.
Ranbu is actually one of the stores breaking the mold here: an average bowl sells for 1,500 yen ($9.45), while some sell as high as 2,000 yen ($12.60). That’s a major factor that’s pushed the Google Reviews for the store down to a low 3.4 stars. Even at these prices, however, it’s important to get as many customers through the door as possible.
(Note: Tabelog uses a weighted system that gives more credence to recognized reviewers within a given genre. Their reviewers are more likely to be dedicated ramen experts and more receptive to spending more for quality food, which would explain the gap here.)
Other restaurants in Japan have struggled with turnover as well. I wrote late last year, for example, about a soba shop that banned tourists at lunch because they said travelers dawdled too long in their seats.
What do people in Japan think of the smartphone ban?
Niboshi Ranbu was already kind of controversial. Like many one-man ramen shops, the store reflects the personality of its owner. For good and ill.
On Google Reviews, many people love Ranbu’s rich broth, with some describing it as almost “cement-style.” Many praise the dish’s flavor, which has a deep fish umami without being excessively bitter. However, many reviewers downgrade the store for the owner’s personality, which some describe as brusque and intimidating. Kawada also apparently sports tattoos, which is bound to turn off some Japanese customers.
But what do people in Japan think?
I analyzed both the comments in this thread and another 84 comments in a Yahoo! News JP tweet. Based on these, X social media users’ sentiment seems largely in favor of the store (around 70%). Many commenters insist that the store has the right to set its own policies – and that anyone who doesn’t like it can go elsewhere. Some posters bemoaned the incident as marking a general decline in civility in Japan.
A minority of users, however, say the ban feels like an 後出しジャンケン (ato-dashi janken; waiting for your opponent’s move in rock-paper-scissors), or a post-hoc justification for a policy the owner wanted to enact anyway. Others argue that the ban is fine, but take issue with how it was communicated.
"Noah [at Unseen Japan] put together an itinerary that didn’t lock us in and we could travel at our own pace. In Tokyo, he guided us personally on a walking tour. Overall, he made our Japan trip an experience not to forget." - Kate and Simon S., Australia
Others, meanwhile, think that this decision was always about seat turnover, and that the store should just be honest about that. After all, there’s no shame in trying to keep your noodles firm and your head above water.
Discover the “unseen” side of Japan
Japan is on everyone’s travel bucket list. Sadly, many end up going to the same places as everyone else. That can turn what could have been a fun, once-in-a-lifetime experience into an exhausting battle with crowds.
We started Unseen Japan Tours for the same reason we started Unseen Japan: To give people a unique glimpse into Japan they can’t get anywhere else. Let us create a custom itinerary of hard-to-find spots centered on your interests. We can also serve as your guides and interpreters, taking you to places that non-Japanese-speaking tourists usually can’t access.
Contact us below to get the ball rolling today!
What to read next
As Nut Allergies Soar in Japan, Airlines Grapple with a Response
Nut allergies are overtaking both wheat and milk in Japan. Here’s how airlines are responding and how to stay safe on your trip.
250 Yen?! Super Cheap Ramen in Japan Draws Mixed Reactions
The cheap bowls are a relief to some trying to stretch their money in difficult times. To others, however, they’re a warning sign.
Why Combini May Become a Tourist Luxury in Japan
As inflation keeps rising in Japan, more residents are deciding that there are better ways to spend their money.
Sources
埼玉のラーメン店で「食事中スマホ禁止」 “調味料の上にスマホ置く”行為で店主が苦渋の決断 弁護士が指摘「事前告知の重要性」. FNN Online
