Japan Rankings
Traveling by train in Japan isn’t just transportation — it’s a culinary adventure. At the heart of this experience is the ekiben（駅弁）: beautifully prepared bento boxes sold at stations and onboard trains. They’re more than a meal — they’re a way to explore regional food culture without ever sitting down at a restaurant or opening a menu.
The word ekiben combines “eki” (station) and “bento” (boxed meal). These travel-friendly meals are designed for convenience, but they offer much more than just a quick bite. Each ekiben showcases local ingredients and recipes that vary by region — think of them as portable tasting menus representing Japanese prefectures.
Unlike restaurant meals, ekiben require no reservations or menu browsing. Just walk into a station shop, point at the display, and walk out with a perfectly packaged, ready-to-eat meal.
Looking for an easy way to enjoy authentic Japanese food without stepping into a restaurant? These top ekiben offer curated regional meals — like chef-selected menus in a box.
Soy-simmered beef over rice from Yonezawa. A meaty best-seller and fan favorite.
📍 Yonezawa Station, Tokyo Station
Iconic pork dumplings with rice, egg, and veggies — a full-course menu in one box.
📍 Yokohama, Tokyo, and major stations
Pressed trout sushi wrapped in bamboo. Light, vinegared, and elegant.
📍 Toyama Station
Octopus and seasoned rice served in a ceramic octopus pot — tasty and collectible.
📍 Himeji Station
Clay pot rice with chicken, mushroom, and chestnut — a traditional countryside menu.
📍 Yokokawa, Tokyo Station (limited)
Grilled salmon belly, seaweed, and roe — rich and full of umami.
📍 Sapporo Station, New Chitose Airport
Grilled beef tongue served with barley rice — a Sendai specialty.
📍 Sendai Station
Grilled conger eel glazed with soy sauce over rice.
📍 Miyajimaguchi, Hiroshima Station
Seafood lovers’ delight: crab, uni, and ikura over sushi rice.
📍 Hakodate, Sapporo Station
Glazed chicken, rice, and sometimes egg — comfort food in a box.
📍 Takasaki Station (登利平, 高崎弁当)
No need for restaurant reservations — just head to these places and choose your menu from the display.
The biggest ekiben shop in Japan with over 150 varieties from across the country.
📍 Inside Tokyo Station (JR East)
Stations like Shin-Osaka, Sendai, and Kanazawa offer region-specific ekiben menus.
Basement floors of Isetan, Mitsukoshi, and Takashimaya often feature seasonal ekiben menus.
Haneda and New Chitose Airport stock ekiben-style meals for travelers.
The annual January Ekiben Festival at Keio Department Store in Shinjuku brings dozens of rare regional bentos together.
Trying an ekiben is like ordering a chef-curated regional menu — but instead of sitting in a restaurant, you're gazing out a train window. Each box tells a story of local flavor, craftsmanship, and hospitality.
So whether you're at Tokyo Station or a rural stop in Gunma, skip the fast food and explore Japan through its unforgettable ekiben. Your perfect travel meal might just come in a box — no menu required.
