Key Highlights
- Discover more on the custom of eating ekiben, or station bento, on Japan’s bullet trains.
- Ekiben are special meals featuring regional dishes and local flavours, designed for train travel.
- You can buy these Shinkansen bento boxes at major train stations in stores like PLUSTA.
- The Shasho Shokudo brand, available at PLUSTA, focuses on quality ingredients and balanced meals.
- From a Premium Makunouchi bento to regional specialties, there’s a wide variety to choose from.
- Enjoying an ekiben while watching the scenery is a memorable part of any Japanese train journey.
Introduction
Setting off on a train journey across Japan offers up the experience of taking the much loved high-speed Shinkansen, which some folks still call the ‘bullet train’. While on the Shinkansen, watching the Japanese countryside and cities fly past from your comfortable seats, you’ll also get an opportunity to dive into a Shinkansen bento. We typically buy these special lunch boxes at the station before boarding the Shinkansen, and in this guide, we cover where you can buy them, and explain a few of the different types of bento boxes available.
Although we call them Shinkansen bento throughout this guide, these delicious lunchboxes aren’t exclusive to the bullet train, and you can enjoy them on long-distance limited express trains which also have trays or tables for eating on, which I did when I ate an ekiben on the way to the Nakasendo Trail during a day trip from Nagoya.
The Custom of Eating a Train Bento
Soon after the first train lines opened in Japan over 150 years ago, vendors started selling food and later bento boxes to hungry passengers, even passing these meals through the train carriage windows. Nowadays, when boarding a Shinkansen, of course you won’t see anyone hawking bentos like this on the platform, but when walking through your carriage, you’ll spot other passengers eating Shinkansen bento boxes, or keeping them in bags ready to be eaten.
Can you eat on the Shinkansen?
Yes, you can eat on the Shinkansen when sitting in your seat. It’s a very normal thing to be eating or drinking while on the Shinkansen, so don’t worry about offending anyone by doing it yourself, as long as you’re using the table rest in front of your seat.
Also, if you’ve never been on a Shinkansen, we can reassure you from experience that while it runs close to 300/kph, it’s a smooth ride and you’re not going to get sudden jolts that will make you spill your food. Probably another reason why this custom is so widespread in Japan.
What is a Shinkansen Bento
You may have searched Shinkansen Bento for information on boxed bentos eaten on Shinkansen, however, in Japan, we say ‘Ekiben’ to refer to them. The name itself is made up of two extremely useful Japanese words to remember when travelling in Japan – “Eki”, means a train station, and “bento”, means a lunch box, however they are so much better than a simple meal! In most cases, ekiben include rice, and combinations of fish, meat, or vegetables, all neatly arranged with compartment dividers, and handy lids on top to prevent any spillage when you’re on the move.
One thing we should explain about ekiben is that they’re going to be different than a regular convenience store bento. Shinkansen Bento are quite the culinary experience, being made with local ingredients and reflecting the unique food cuisines of Japan. It’s part of the reason ekiben are so popular, as you can explore regional speciality food, which if you’re a foodie, you will appreciate especially if you didn’t get to try all the dishes during your time in the area you just visited!
Where and How to Buy Shinkansen Bento
Finding a bento for your Shinkansen journey is an exciting part of the experience. You can buy bento boxes at all major Shinkansen train stations and even sometimes at small kiosks on the platforms. However, we’d recommend buying at dedicated ekiben stores or ones stocking speciality bento in the station building, as they offer a wider range of Bento, and you get plenty of time to pick the most appealing option calling out to you along with a drink and regional snack or dessert for those of you with a sweet tooth.
For a reliable option if you’re short on time, PLUSTA is an incredibly convenient store, located close to ticket gates in the main Shinkansen train stations in central Japan. This makes it ideal for last minute Shinkansen bento browsing and snack purchases, or like we did, you can also use it to buy some special souvenirs.
Along with its prime locations within stations, PLUSTA has a fantastic selection of bento boxes, as well as those yummy onigiri riceballs, which are a favourite of ours. You can find out more about PLUSTA on our article of Best Things To Buy in Japan.
Exploring the Shaso Shokudo Bento Brand
If you’re picking up a Shinkansen bento from PLUSTA, one brand you’ll come across is Shaso Shokudo. This is a brand created for those travelling on the Tokaido Shinkansen line, and allows you to taste authentic local flavours and enjoy bento boxes that are going to satisfy your hunger needs for those long trips around meals times, especially if you’re travelling across country like our trip to Hiroshima last year.
Shaso Shokudo Bento is absolutely focused on high quality ingredients and creating balanced meals. With the precision you can expect from a Japanese product, each ekiben is carefully designed so that when you open the lid, the rice is light and fluffy, and ready to serve with just the right texture so you don’t need to worry about cold or hard rice, like we sometimes experience in the UK.
Great attention is not only given to taste, but to the colour and presentation of the bento too, which is going to turn your meal into a memorable part of your journey as you watch the countryside colours (and possibly even Mt Fuji) pass by on your Tokaido train journey.
Types of Shinkansen Bento You Can Find at PLUSTA
PLUSTA has a great selection of ekiben to browse through, and honestly, you may need a few minutes to decide which Shinkansen bento to pick, as they all look tantalisingly good! The shelves are also well-stocked, so whether you’re after something classic or want to try a regional specialty, you’ll find plenty to choose from. Last time I visited PLUSTA, I was really surprised by the variety of regional bentos available. In this section, we’ll give an idea of what you can expect and what you may want to try on your next Japan trip.
- Premium Makunouchi Bento box
- Charcoal-Grilled Beef Ribs Bento
- Deep-fried Miso Cutlet & Jumbo Shrimp Bento
- Hitsumabushi Bento with Dashi Broth
- Matsusaka Beef Bowl
Classic Bento Selections
The Premium Makunouchi Bento box brings together the flavours of the Tokaido region, and what you’re going to love are how dishes from the Kanto, Chubu, and Kansai regions are all together in one meal. It’s beautifully presented, and exactly how you’d imagine a bento with neatly arranged compartments filled with specialties like Fukagawa Meshi (rice with clams), alongside red salmon, unagi-don (rice with eel) and miso katsu. There’s also a Kansai tier which completes the experience with Chirimen Sansho Gohan (rice with dried young sardines and sansho pepper) and some delicate simmered dishes.
If you’re after something hearty, the Charcoal-Grilled Beef Ribs Bento is hard to overlook. Tender beef ribs grilled over charcoal, with that aromatic smell that gets you as soon as you open the lid. Coated in a sweet, savoury sauce that reminds you a little of a nice BBQ, the meat sits over rice with sides like tamago yaki, potato salad, and vegetables to make it a pretty complete meal for the journey.
Regional Bento Boxes to Try
Nagoya has a strong claim to some of Japan’s best comfort food, and this Miso Katsu & Jumbo Ebi Fry Bento does a great job of showcasing two of its most famous dishes. With this bento, you get the delicious pork katsu (cutlet) covered in crispy panko breadcrumbs that comes served with a rich miso sauce that sits alongside fried shrimp generously coated in sauce. If you’re used to katsu coming with curry sauce, the Miso Katsu version is worth trying for that reason alone. It’s a hearty, flavourful bento box that feels like a proper introduction to what Nagoya cooking is all about.
The Hitsumabushi Bento with Dashi Broth is built around grilled eel glazed in a sweet, savoury teriyaki-style sauce over rice, which is already a pretty satisfying combination on its own. What makes it even more worth picking up though are the famous three ways to eat it. You start plain, then add condiments, and finish by pouring over a fragrant bonito dashi made from quality stock, and then decide which approach works the best for you. Personally I’m more a fan of the second way, but you’ll have to try it to know your style!
Matsusaka Beef Bowl: Matsusaka beef is one of Japan’s top three beef brands, proudly from Mie prefecture, and this bento really lets it shine. The beef is simmered in a Kanto-style warishita (a sauce used for Sukiyaki hot pot) with kombu dashi, which really elevates that famous melt-in-the-mouth texture and is hard to forget! A side of Hino-na zuke (turnip) pickles cuts through the richness nicely, making it a luxury bento worth spending a little extra on.
Other Food and Drinks available at PLUSTA
PLUSTA is worth a browse beyond the bento boxes too. It works a lot like a high-end convenience store, so if you want something extra alongside your main meal, there’s plenty to choose from. Sweet and savoury snacks, onigiri, sandwiches and even rice sandwiches line the shelves, covering everything from a light bite to something sweet to see you through the journey.
To quench your thirst, PLUSTA offers an extensive selection of drinks. You can find everything from green tea and water to soft drinks, juices, and coffee. For those who wish to indulge, there’s also alcoholic beverages like beer and Japanese sake, and I spotted some Japanese whiskey in the aisles too last time I was in the Nagoya PLUSTA. Pairing a drink with your meal is part of the classic ekiben experience, or you may just want to stock up, especially in summer when temperatures on the platform may be high.
The Shinkansen Bento Experience
There is something genuinely special about settling into your Shinkansen seat, opening a beautifully packed Shinkansen bento box, and watching Japan whizz past your window as you eat. On a clear day if you take the Nozomi Shinkansen, you might even catch Mount Fuji in the distance 45 mins out from Tokyo, which turns a simple meal into something you will probably talk about for a while.
It sounds like a small thing, but eating a Shinkansen bento has a way of becoming one of those travel moments that sticks with you. For a lot of people, the ekiben is not just lunch or dinner. It is part of what makes the journey feel like Japan, doing as the locals do.
Conclusion
There is a reason so many people make a point of picking up a Shinkansen bento before they board. It feels like a real part of travelling in Japan, and with regional specialties changing along the route, there is always something different worth trying. PLUSTA makes it easy to find something worth picking up before you board, so if you are heading out on the Shinkansen, it is well worth leaving a little extra time to have a decent look at what is on the shelf!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shinkansen Bento, and how does it differ from regular bento boxes?
A Shinkansen bento, or ekiben, is a step up from your everyday lunch box. Sold at train stations for long distance travel, they tend to feature regional ingredients and packaging that actually makes you want to slow down and appreciate what is inside. For a lot of travellers, opening one is as much a part of the journey as the train ride itself.
Where can I purchase ekiben when traveling on the Shinkansen in Japan?
Shinkansen bento are sold at major Shinkansen stations across Japan, usually close to the ticket gates so you can grab one on the way through. Specialty shops like Ekibenya Matsuri in Tokyo Station, or PLUSTA at Shinkansen stations in Central Japan are worth seeking out if you want a decent selection. Many department stores connected to stations also carry a good range, so you are rarely short of options.
What are some popular fillings and ingredients found in Shinkansen Bento?
Part of what makes Shinkansen bento interesting is how much they reflect where you are in the country. Grilled beef, miso katsu, and teriyaki chicken all turn up depending on the region, alongside more familiar fillings like fish, shrimp tempura, rolled omelette, simmered vegetables, and pickles. Rice is a given, but everything around it tends to tell its own story.
All information is accurate as of the date of publishing the article, but we would recommend checking the PLUSTA website along with other relevant websites for the latest information.
For disclosure, this is sponsored content, however the opinion given here are entirely our own from our experience at PLUSTA in Japan.
