Ramen Republic occupies the 10th floor of the JR Tower above Sapporo Station — eight shops arranged in a single food court, each representing a different regional ramen style. It is an unabashedly tourist-oriented setup and none the worse for it. If you have one ramen meal in Sapporo, this is a practical way to try the Sapporo style without researching which individual shop is currently considered best. The Sapporo-style miso ramen with butter and corn is the obvious choice, though the Hakodate salt ramen and Asahikawa soy ramen also have strong representation.
Queue length is the guide to shop quality in the conventional wisdom, but this is not always right. The less famous shops often have shorter waits and are just as good; the rankings shift with media coverage. Go at an off-peak time — mid-afternoon or just after opening — if you want to avoid a wait. The food court is well-ventilated and the noise level is roughly what you'd expect from eight ramen shops in a small space. Located in the JR Tower building directly above Sapporo Station, with direct access from the station concourse.