JR West partners with JAL and ANA

Railways and airlines have traditionally been competitors, competing for the same passengers. However, in recent years, collaboration has been increasing alongside the growth of inbound tourism demand in Japan.

For example, in 2021, overseas JAL Mileage Bank members became able to exchange their miles for the JR-WEST RAIL PASS. This marked one of the initiatives jointly promoted by JR West and JAL to encourage travel across western Japan.

Looking ahead to the 2030s, the two companies are working to directly integrate their booking systems, allowing travelers to arrange both rail and air transportation in a single booking process.

Previously, travelers needed to book flights first and then separately reserve Shinkansen or limited express trains. With this new system, international visitors to Japan will be able to organize their entire journey on one platform.

As an early example, dynamic package products combining flights between Haneda and Nanki-Shirahama with JR West’s Limited Express Kuroshio and regional rail passes are already being introduced.

While flights are generally slightly faster in terms of travel time, how do they compare on price?

For example, on the Osaka–Fukuoka route, last-minute airfare and the standard Shinkansen fare are roughly similar, both costing around ¥16,000. However, if flights are booked early and outside peak travel periods, airfare can sometimes drop to around ¥9,000, making air travel the cheaper option depending on the conditions.

Under the Japanese government’s goal of attracting 60 million international visitors by 2030, stronger integration between transportation and tourism is becoming increasingly important.

One key challenge will be how to combine and coordinate relatively stable Shinkansen fares with airline prices, which can fluctuate significantly depending on timing and demand.

Currently, around 70% of inbound travelers’ overnight stays are concentrated in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Kansai, and Nagoya, making regional distribution another major issue.

Attention is now focused on whether collaboration between railways and airlines can help solve this challenge by encouraging international visitors to travel beyond Japan’s major urban centers.

2026年5月2日
鉄旅ライフ編集部
過去のコラムはこちら

Yokohama Iekei Ramen Guide: How to Order at Sugitaya + Access Info

2025.12.23

This time as well, I decided to go out for ramen after watching a popular Japanese YouTube food channel.
The destination was Sugitaya, known as the holy ground of Yokohama Iekei ramen. While the channel visited the Chiba Yūkō branch,I visited the main branch in Yokohama for lunch on a weekday.

Based on my own experience, I’ll give a detailed report on the atmosphere of the shop, including how easy it is for a woman to enter and dine alone.

Exterior of Sugitaya Ramen Main Store in Yokohama

How to Get to Sugitaya Main Store (3 minutes from Shin-Sugita Station)

The shop is located just a short walk from JR Shin-Sugita Station. From Yokohama Station, it takes about 30 minutes on the JR Negishi Line bound for Ofuna to reach Shin-Sugita Station.

  1. Exit the ticket gates at Shin-Sugita Station, then go down the stairs on the right toward the West Exit.
  2. Once outside the station, continue straight ahead to the right.
  3. After about a three-minute walk, you’ll see the Sugitaya sign on your right-hand side.

After getting off the train, first head toward the West Exit.

Stairs to the West Exit on the right side after exiting Shin-Sugita Station ticket gate

Once you exit the station, turn right and continue straight.

Outside the West Exit of Shin-Sugita Station

Walk straight ahead for about three minutes.

Street view on the way from JR Shin-Sugita Station West Exit to Sugitaya Ramen Main Store

Sugitaya Ramen comes into view.

Exterior of Sugitaya Ramen Main Store with its distinctive ticket vending machines and waiting line

Important: Buy a Meal Ticket Before Lining Up — This Is the Sugitaya Rule

When I arrived around 11 a.m., there didn’t seem to be many people in front of the shop at first glance. I briefly thought, “Maybe it’s quiet because it’s a weekday?”
In reality, there was already a long line extending further inside.

At Sugitaya, you’re required to buy your meal ticket first, and only then join the line.

A large sign reminding customers to purchase their meal tickets first

A U-Shaped Line Spreading Across the Parking Lot

The parking lot right next to the shop was being used as a waiting area.
The line, guided by plastic tape and arranged in a U-shape, reminded me of waiting for a ride at an amusement park.

Estimated Waiting Time

I started lining up around 11:00 a.m. and was able to enter the shop at 12:05, meaning about a one-hour wait even on a weekday afternoon. Since the waiting area is in a shaded parking lot, it’s a good idea to dress warmly in winter or on cold days. I also saw one person waiting with a baby stroller.

While you’re still in line, a staff member will ask about your preferences for noodle firmness, flavor strength, and oil level. This time, I ordered everything as regular.

Ticket Machine

The ticket machines are located just inside the shop, on both the left and right sides. Please note that they accept cash only.

The meal tickets at Sugitaya Ramen Main Store are distinctive colored tokens

A plastic, color-coded ticket came out. It seems the colors are used to identify the menu items.

The colored meal tickets indicate the menu items.

This time, I chose four items: chashu ramen, rice, seasoned egg, and nori.

Inside the Shop and Service

I was shown to my seat inside the shop. It seems that several customers are seated at once in batches. I was guided to a seat at the very end, perhaps because the staff thought it would be more comfortable for a woman dining alone.Looking around, everyone had placed their meal tickets on the counter and was waiting for their food to arrive. At Sugitaya, this seems to be the unspoken rule.I put my meal ticket on the counter and waited for the ramen to arrive.

At Sugitaya, the system is to place your meal tickets on the counter while you wait

Tasting Sugitaya Ramen

Finally, the ramen has arrived!

Chashu ramen with seasoned egg and nori toppings at Sugitaya Ramen Main Store

Sugitaya Ramen Tasting

Every component—the broth, noodles, chashu, and nori—is top-notch, making this bowl absolutely worth the one-hour wait.

Broth


The soy sauce flavor is sharp and well-defined. It’s rich without being too heavy, and you can easily keep drinking it.

Noodles


The noodles are medium-thick, curly, and pleasantly chewy. Many of the male customers around me ordered theirs firm, so firmness might be a popular choice.

Chashu


The chashu appears to be carefully smoked to achieve the perfect level of doneness. You can tell a lot of effort goes into it—it’s delicious.

Nori


The nori is exceptionally flavorful. It’s perfect to dip in the broth and wrap around rice for a fantastic bite.

Shop Name Ramen Sugitaya Main Store
Address 3-5 Shinsugita-cho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Opening Hours 5:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Closed Sunday
Access About a 3-minute walk from Shin-Sugita Station (JR Negishi Line)
Parking None
Map

After finishing the meal, I stretched my legs a bit and took a stroll around Yokohama Chinatown before heading back. If you’re traveling on the JR Negishi Line, get off at Ishikawacho Station—it’s just a short walk to the bustling streets of Chinatown. It takes about 15 minutes by train from Sugitaya. Walking around Chinatown is a perfect way to digest after a hearty bowl of ramen, making it a highly recommended course.