Traveling On A Full Stomach

Apart from getting a JR Pass for our long distance train travel in Japan, there is one more thing that is pretty convenient to be enjoyed while zipping around in the trains and shinkansens and that is the eki-ben (train station lunch boxes).

More information about these awesomely delicious and convenient packed lunches can be read here: Appreciating Japan Through Ekibens.

Some of the eki-bens we enjoyed during our previous trips: 

Our eki-ben bought at Shin-Osaka station, eaten on our journey from Shin-Osaka to Hakata in Kyushu taking the Hikari shinkansen.

Our eki-ben bought at Hiroshima station - with octopus and oysters. They sure don't skimp on the ingredients. There were so many oysters in my paddle-shaped bento. We bought these bento during our trip from Shin-Osaka to Kanazawa on the Thunderbird, and then jumping on the Noto night train from Kazanawa to Tokyo.

Our eki-ben bought in the train SL Ban Etsu Monogatari-Go, on our trip from Aizu-Wakamatsu to Niigata. Getting a ride on a steam locomotive was an awesome experience for us and eating lunch while the train were puffing along ravines and rivers, and eating good food while enjoying the scenery was an awesome experience. We even got a souvenir inside the bento box in the form of a paper train cut-out.

Our dinner bento bought at Niigata station. Fish roe is Zaini's favourite. We ate these on the on the Joetsu Shinkansen Max Toki to Ueno station.

Eki-ben in an earthenware bought in Karuizawa. Either this bento is really famous at the station or because there were no other choices, but when we were there, a long line was formed immediately when a stall was set-up offering this delicious meal. Most commuters bought no less than two and I think they bought it to bring back home.

A bento bought at Tazawako station before our onward journey to Nyuto Onsen.

We will look forward for more eki-ben adventures during our next trip. The eki-ben sold at the train stations change seasonally so it'll be fun to try out new eki-ben throughout the four changing seasons. Don't you agree?