Kuroge Wagyu Motaro bento, Matsusaka

National GeographicOct 28

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 ...

Made with Matsusaka beef, plays a Taisho-era children's song.

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Kuroge Wagyu Motaro bentoRestaurantMade with Matsusaka beef, plays a Taisho-era children's song.
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.
anago meshiRestaurantHiroshima, JapanHiroshima's characteristic bento with conger eel rice.
Hippari TakomeshiRestaurantKobe, JapanPalm-sized ceramic pot with stewed octopus tentacles and akashiyaki.
Toyama stationPlaceToyama, JapanVending machines stocked with cake-slice style sushi variations.
Enoden ceramic bentoRestaurantKamakura, JapanCeramic bento with shirasu (tiny white fish) on rice.
Enoshima Electric RailwayPlaceKamakura, JapanElectrified trolley running along a scenic coast south of Tokyo.
Utsunomiya StationPlaceUtsunomiya, Japan
Keio Department StoreMarketTokyo, Japan
Miyajimaguchi StationPlaceMiyajimaguchi, Japan
Akashi CitySightAkashi, Japan
masu no sushiRestaurantToyama, Japan

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Kuroge Wagyu Motaro bento

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