Ekiben are a convenient way to enjoy the flavors of a destination when traveling by train. Ekiben allow visitors to taste dishes made from local specialties and products of the area, and their colorful presentation and delicate appearance is another attraction. In this article, we feature recommended ekiben from various regions.

■Sendai: Dateno Gyutan Honpo Thick Cut Beef Tongue Bento The Date domain in Sendai is famous for its beef tongue, and if you visit Sendai Station, we recommend "Dateno Gyutan Honpo Thick Cut Beef Tongue Bento," lavishly prepared with their famous beef tongue characterized by its tender texture and rich flavor.

The core of the tongue, the softest part of beef tongue, is cut into thick slices. Dateno Gyutan Honpo Thick Cut Beef Tongue Bento / ¥2,800 tax inc. (Dateno Gyutan Honpo Co., Ltd.)

■Tokyo: Chicken Bento Known as the go-to ekiben at Tokyo Station, the long-selling "Chicken Bento" celebrated its 60th anniversary in October 2024. It features a combination of fried chicken and tomato-flavored ketchup rice and is popular with both children and adults. The rice is well seasoned and goes well with the fried chicken.

The photo shows the 60th anniversary limited edition packaging. Chicken Bento / ¥900 tax incl. (JR East Cross Station Co., Ltd.)

■Nagoya: Cochin Wappameshi To accompany your trip to Nagoya, we recommend the “Cochin Wappameshi” sold at Nagoya Station. This luxurious ekiben uses Nagoya Cochin, one of Japan's most famous locally-reared chickens, and is a highly filling dish. The cute bento box is modeled after mage-wappa, a traditional Japanese craft that bends pieces of wood to create boxes.

Rice cooked in chicken broth is topped with a variety of side dishes, including chicken. Cochin Wappameshi / ¥1,030 tax inc. (Matsuura Shoten Co., Ltd.)

■Kyoto: Kyoto Omelet Sandwich & Thinly-fried Egg Sandwich with Domestic Beef and Kujo Spring Onion" Kyoto is home to a wide variety of ekiben, but here we introduce the "Kyoto Omelet Sandwich & Thinly-fried Egg Sandwich with Domestic Beef and Kujo Spring Onion," a special ekiben made by Tsuburano, a restaurant near Kiyomizu Temple and sold at JR Kyoto Isetan, which is directly connected to Kyoto Station. The rich dashi broth used to create the omelet fills the mouth with umami.

It is made with ingredients unique to the region, such as Kujo spring onion and fresh eggs from Kyoto. Kyoto Omelet Sandwich & Thinly-fried Egg Sandwich with Domestic Beef and Kujo Spring Onion / ¥1,404 tax incl. (Ryokuhoen Co., Ltd.)

■Fukuoka: Kashiwa-meshi One of the popular ekiben in Fukuoka is Tochikuken's “Kashiwa-meshi.”Fukuoka is an area known for its fondness for kashiwa, the local term for chicken, both boiled and grilled. The rice is cooked in chicken broth to combine perfectly with the chicken and egg garnish, making it delicious even when cold.

“Kashiwa-meshi” has been enjoyed for over 100 years. Kashiwa-meshi (Large) / ¥970 tax incl. (Tochikuken Co., Ltd.)

Incidentally, you can see Tochikuken hawkers at JR Kyushu's Orio station. Hawkers used to be seen all over the country, but today they have become a very rare sight. “Kashiwa-meshi” can also be purchased at other stations including Hakata Station, but if you have the chance, why not try experiencing the history of ekiben culture at Orio Station.

Passengers appreciate the way hawkers promote their ekiben with their own songs and dances.

Enjoying ekiben while riding the train is a form of Japanese food culture and is a great way to create memories of your trip. Why not enjoy traveling Japan while enjoying ekiben that are filled with regional charm?

■DATA Availability: Products differ by store. Prices may differ from those listed here. Please contact the shops for details. (Information as of October 2024)

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