Why is Hikakin’s Hugely Popular “Misokin” Ramen Shop Closing? The Truth Behind the “Planned Shutdown.”
“Misokin,” the ramen brand created by popular YouTuber Hikakin, has announced the closure of its physical store at Tokyo Ramen Street in Tokyo Station, effective February 2026. For a restaurant so popular it had long lines every day, this might seem like a “sudden withdrawal” at first glance.
However, a closer look reveals a simple fact: “this closure was planned from the very beginning.”
Here, we’ll summarize the news, Hikakin’s own perspective, and the public’s reaction, focusing on the key point that “it was always a limited-time venture.”
News Summary: The Reason is “End of Contract Period”
First, the most important fact from the announcement is that the reason for the closure is the “expiration of the contract period.”
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Scheduled Closing Date: February 23, 2026
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Reason for Closing: The end of the initially determined operational period.
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Background: The specific lot at “Tokyo Ramen Street” where the store is located is, by design, a space for rotating, limited-time pop-up shops.
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Future Plans: There are no plans to open a new store before the current one closes.
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Simultaneous Announcement: The release of “Frozen Misokin” (which sold out immediately).
In other words, the core of this news is not a closure due to financial trouble or other issues, but simply “reaching a finish line that was set from the start.”
Hikakin’s Stance: “I Wanted to Extend, but It Wasn’t Possible”
Hikakin explained the situation on his YouTube channel, where he acknowledged that “the operational period was predetermined.”
“We opened this shop knowing that the period was limited from the beginning,” Hikakin stated clearly. “But I still wanted to take on the challenge at this location I’ve always admired.”
He went on to explain that, “due to the overwhelming public response, we were in negotiations to see if we could somehow extend the period.”
However, due to the facility’s rules, this was not possible, which he claims resulted in a “regrettable closure.”
While Hikakin expressed his frustration in the video, the underlying fact remains unchanged: “ending the operation at the contract’s conclusion was a decision made when the contract was signed.”
Public Opinion: Was It a Strategy That Weaponized the “Limited Time” Aspect?
Regarding this “limited-time from the start” point, many on social media have praised Hikakin’s business acumen.
One analysis suggests, “Choosing a location where an extension was impossible from the outset was likely intentional.” The theory is that he calculated that having a deadline would fuel a “got to go now” mentality among consumers, thereby maximizing the buzz.
“Establish the brand with a limited-time physical store, and then transition to selling frozen products and cup noodles.” If this was the plan from the beginning, it can be seen as a brilliant business model that minimizes risk.
His skill in announcing a predetermined contract expiration as a major “closure”—thereby driving last-minute demand and promoting his frozen products—is being hailed as “first-class salesmanship.”
Harsher Opinions: “No Extension” Was a Foregone Conclusion
On the other hand, Hikakin’s claim that he “wanted to extend” has been met with some skepticism.
There is sharp criticism, with comments like, “That section of Tokyo Ramen Street is a challenge spot for temporary pop-ups, not permanent stores. It’s common knowledge in the industry that extensions aren’t possible,” and “Knowing that, isn’t it playing the victim too much to lament that you ‘wanted to extend’?”
Many calm observers note that “since the period was fixed from the start, there’s no need to even talk about an extension.” They see it as a dramatic performance, framing a simple “end of contract” as a “closure.”
The physical store was for a limited time, and the cup noodles are a limited quantity. This marketing approach of “intentionally creating a situation where the product is hard to obtain” has drawn persistent criticism, such as, “If you really want to make your product widely available, you should ensure a more stable supply,” and “This hype-driven approach is exhausting.”
Conclusion
The closure of the physical “Misokin” store was not due to an unexpected problem but was simply “the end of a predetermined period.”
Although Hikakin stated he “wanted to extend,” the public largely views this as a calculated business strategy that cleverly turned the “limited-time” condition into an advantage.
Transforming a “predetermined ending” into maximum entertainment and publicity—perhaps that is the true prowess of the top YouTuber, Hikakin.