Utsunomiya — Travelrags

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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Utsunomiya StationPlace
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.
Kuroge Wagyu Motaro bentoRestaurantMatsusaka, JapanMade with Matsusaka beef, plays a Taisho-era children's song.
Keio Department StoreMarketTokyo, Japan
Miyajimaguchi StationPlaceMiyajimaguchi, Japan
Akashi CitySightAkashi, Japan
masu no sushiRestaurantToyama, Japan

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