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National GeographicOct 28, 2026

The Joy Of Ekiben—Why Japan's Train Bento Boxes Are Worth Traveling For

Ekiben pack diverse local ingredients and centuries-old Japanese culinary tradition into portable boxes — railway station snacks taking in everything from seasonal clams and heritage eel recipes to ...

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Enoden ceramic bentoRestaurantCeramic bento with shirasu (tiny white fish) on rice.
Enoshima Electric RailwayPlaceElectrified trolley running along a scenic coast south of Tokyo.
Elsewhere
Tokyo StationSightTokyo, JapanFlagship store offers over 300 kinds of ekiben.
Bokoi-meshiRestaurantMuroran, JapanRare bento box with seasonal clams and local ingredients.
Suzuran Limited ExpressPlaceMuroran, JapanTrain route to the snowy harbour where clams were harvested.
Utsunomiya StationPlaceUtsunomiya, JapanThe station also is a freight depot for the Japan Freight Railway Company.
Keio Department StoreMarketTokyo, Japan京王線・京王相模原線調布駅直結のショッピングセンター「トリエ京王調布」は、映画館「イオンシネマシアタス調布」、家電量販店「ビックカメラ」をはじめ、ファッション・レストラン・カフェなどからなる商業施設です。…
anago meshiRestaurantHiroshima, JapanHiroshima's characteristic bento with conger eel rice.
Miyajimaguchi StationPlaceMiyajimaguchi, JapanIt is operated by the West Japan Railway Company.
Hippari TakomeshiRestaurantKobe, JapanPalm-sized ceramic pot with stewed octopus tentacles and akashiyaki.
Toyama stationPlaceToyama, JapanVending machines stocked with cake-slice style sushi variations.
Kuroge Wagyu Motaro bentoRestaurantMatsusaka, JapanMade with Matsusaka beef, plays a Taisho-era children's song.
Akashi CityMuseumAkashi, Japan
masu no sushiRestaurantToyama, Japan

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