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The Fun of Traveling by Train -- Japan's "Ekiben Train Bento" Culture

East Japan Railway Company
2014-09-22 09:00 6016

TOKYO, Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- East Japan Railway Company will attend Japan Travel Fair 2014 at Takashimaya Singapore from the 3rd to the 6th of October.

As new varieties are making their appearance all the time, Ekibens sold at the fair may be different from those described here. Ekiben is a packed lunch or bento available for sale to travelers on trains and at train stations across Japan. With a history going back more than 120 years, it is one of the representative foods of the country. Each region of Japan has its own varieties of Ekiben, providing an opportunity for travelers to taste truly local delicacies. It is one of the additional joys of traveling by train in the country.

The Ekiben contests recently held in Japan as well as the Ekiben shops throughout the country are gaining in popularity. Ekibenya Matsuri at Tokyo Station is one of the more popular Ekiben shops as it is well stocked with more than 170 well-known varieties of Ekiben from all over Japan that were previously only available in their respective local regions. Let's take a look at the most popular varieties of Ekiben available at Tokyo Station:

Enjoy “Ekiben” along with the Japanese Train travel!
Enjoy “Ekiben” along with the Japanese Train travel!

1. Yonezawa Beef Charcoal BBQ Premium Marbled Beef Bento

Yonezawa Beef is the meat from one of the four most well-known Wagyu breeds of cattle in Japan, along with Kobe, Matsuzaka and Omi Beef. This bento selects the finest marbled Yonezawa beef which is then slowly barbecued over charcoal. The bento is the specialty of Yamagata Prefecture. Tender and juicy, it is ideal for pairing with sweet rice. With its healthy-sized portion, this bento is more popular with men, and was ranked first in a survey taken at Tokyo station and which asked passers-by what is their favorite Ekiben that can be bought at the station.

2. Japanese selected bento

This bento, a favorite among overseas visitors, is not only pleasing to the eye but also serves up a panoply of flavors: sushi with fresh shrimp, sushi with sillago and kelp, chirashi sushi with a variety of luscious condiments, with simmer pumpkins and carrots as side items. The bento's multilingual packaging is made of colorful Japanese traditional handcrafted "hair buib" and comes with instructions in Japanese, simplified and traditional Chinese as well as Korean and English.

3. E5 series Hayabusa bento

This bento is featured on JR East's E5 Hayabusa bullet train, with the Kawaii train serving as the shape and logo of the box. The original bento box is one of the features that give Japanese Ekiben their appeal. Hello Kitty boxes and boxes featuring a snowman are favored by children and adults alike. Besides the cute styles, some boxes contain a heating mechanism: all you need to do is just pull down on the strings affixed to the box and wait for five to six minutes in order to be served food that is piping hot.

There are countless types of Japanese Ekiben, with new varieties coming out year round. The many exquisite and delicious Ekiben exemplify both Japanese diligence and hospitality. Partaking of an Ekiben will enhance your enjoyment during your journey.

Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140919/8521405102

Source: East Japan Railway Company
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