Lots of bentos

For longer distance traveling, we usually pick up some bentos to eat on the train. There are some rules about not eating on subways and short distance commuter trains, but the general rule I follow is that if you are sitting in airplane-style rows of seats, then eating is allowed. A bento in Japan is any packed up meal (usually lunch), which you can eat on the go. Thus a bento can be prepared at home or bought, and usually can be enjoyed at room temperature even hours after being prepared.

Department store Bentos

For every large train station, there are department stores that are connected to the train station. And for every department store, there are basement level floors full of individual food vendors, which most sell bentos. Usually the quality is pretty high here, since department stores tend to sell higher end goods. There is a good variety of sizes and shapes of bentos that could be full meals, snacks or individual dishes.

This one had 5 kinds of mixed rice dishes, slow cooked veggies, fish and pickles. I like these kitchen-sink bentos when I can’t decide, it has an insane amount of variety in a tiny little package. 1300yen ($10 USD)

Salmon sashimi and ikura (salmon eggs) over sushi rice. 1400yen (11 USD)

Restaurant Bentos

Restaurants in the train station usually sell a bento or two. This restaurant specializes in Hamaguri (clams) and had a Fried Hamaguri Musubi bento with a shumai (chinese dumpling). 900yen ($7 USD)

Bento from Bento Shops

There are some shops that just specialize in making bentos, which seem to be a cheaper option. I don’t even know why they gave me 20% off, but this bento ended up being about 475yen ($4 USD) for a solid amount of karaage (fried chicken) and fried rice.

Convenience store Bentos

The cheapest option would be at the convenience store, which can be found just about anywhere. I have yet to try one of their bentos, but many are open 24 hours. I hear the quality is decent, and it’s a matter of time till I stumble in late night and give it a go.

However, since I don’t have an example of a bento, I present a fancy can of Black Truffle Pringles instead. You can taste and smell something that resembles truffles, but it has to be artificial, right? I wasn’t a big fan, maybe I just like simple flavors like cheese and salt for my chips.