RAMEN TECH returns to Fukuoka for third year with 100+ events

RAMEN TECH 2026 will run Oct. 7-11 across central Fukuoka, bringing startups, investors, corporations, government and students together for more than 100 events. Free registration is now open as organizers aim to build on 2025 attendance of more than 12,000 people and expand cross-border collaboration across Asia.

Why it matters: - Fukuoka is using RAMEN TECH to strengthen its role as Japan’s gateway to Asia and turn startup activity into repeat cross-border business. - The 2026 edition is designed to spread meetings, pitches and partnerships across the city, not just inside one conference venue. - The event is also a test of whether last year’s one-off deals can become a more durable international startup network.

What happened: - RAMEN TECH 2026 will take place in central Fukuoka from Oct. 7-11, 2026. - The five-day startup week returns for a third year. - Fukuoka City and ecosystem partners across Japan and abroad are co-creating the event. - Registration is open now for attendees and collaborators. - The program will feature more than 100 events across the city. - The RAMEN TECH Committee includes Fukuoka City, Zero-Ten Inc., Zero-Ten Park Inc. and yugyo inc.

The details: - RAMEN TECH stands for Revolutionizing Asia: Merging Ecosystems & Networks – Tech. - Tenjin and Daimyo are the core districts, but events will also run in parks, shopping arcades, cafés and clubhouses across Fukuoka. - Startup hubs including Fukuoka Growth Next and CIC Fukuoka are anchoring the schedule. - The Opening Party on Oct. 7 is expected to be the largest meetup event of RAMEN TECH 2026, and registration is required because capacity is limited. - A tentative Global Summit 2026 will run Oct. 7-8 with startup pitches, talks and booth exhibitions involving industry, government and academia. - StartupGo!Go! The Pitch and FFG Mirai Conference will be co-held on Oct. 9. - StartupGo!Go! has run since 2014 and will host its seed-stage pitch contest with startups from Japan and overseas. - Additional flagship events will be announced on a rolling basis. - Fukuoka has called itself “Startup City Fukuoka” since 2012 and has built policy tools including startup visas, tax incentives and international memorandums of understanding with partner cities. - RAMEN TECH launched in 2024 as the flagship event of that strategy. - The 2025 edition drew more than 12,000 attendees, including more than 1,200 international participants, across more than 70 events. - Last year’s event also produced memorandums of understanding between Fukuoka-based startups and overseas counterparts. - Fukuoka is about 1 hour 20 minutes from Shanghai and 1 hour 40 minutes from Seoul by air. - The city cites 2,000 years of cross-strait exchange with the Asian continent as part of its regional identity. - More information is available on the official website. - Organizations can apply to host independent Official Events during the week of Oct. 7-11. - Official Events get website and social media listings, EntryTickets access through one QR code, use of the OFFICIAL EVENT logo, and loaned banners, posters and signage. - Companies, educational and research institutions, government bodies and ecosystem support organizations can also apply as co-create partners.

Between the lines: - Fukuoka is positioning the week as outward-facing, with Asia as the target market rather than Tokyo as the benchmark. - The citywide format suggests organizers want more informal collisions between founders, investors and partners, which can be harder to create in a single convention hall. - The push for official events and co-create partners points to a broader platform strategy, not just a one-off conference.

What’s next: - More flagship events will be added before Oct. 7. - Organizers will continue recruiting attendees, event hosts and co-create partners ahead of the week. - The 2026 program will need to convert last year’s strong attendance into larger commercial and institutional ties across Asia.

The bottom line: - RAMEN TECH 2026 is Fukuoka’s latest attempt to turn geography, policy and startup networking into a sustained Asia-facing growth engine.