Station food and ekiben (station bento)

Where and when to buy ekiben

Ekiben are often sold at kiosks inside and outside the ticket gates of shinkansen and major stations, as well as from carts on the platform. Popular ones can sell out around midday or in the evening, so buying earlier — or looking for ones that take advance orders — helps if you have your heart set on a particular one. Only sellers registered with the industry association are said to be allowed to make and sell them, and which varieties a given kiosk carries differs from station to station.

Eating on board

Eating ekiben at your seat on a shinkansen or limited express is widely accepted, though strong-smelling food is sometimes avoided out of consideration for other passengers. Using the seat-back tray table and taking your trash with you, or using the bin on board, is the usual approach. On local trains or cars with long bench-style seating, many passengers hold off on eating when it's crowded, so it helps to read the car before you start.

Standing soba and udon stalls

Stalls in or near the ticket gates often serve soba or udon standing up, handy for a quick meal between trains. Many use a ticket machine — you buy a ticket first, then hand it over along with the number or name of what you ordered. Since you eat standing, some stalls provide a spot at your feet or a hook for bags.

Souvenirs inside the station

Stations often have a shop gathering local specialties, convenient for a last stop before you leave. Checking the best-by date and how long you'll be traveling before choosing is worth doing. Some items are only sold inside the ticket gates, so if you want to grab one before boarding, it's worth checking whether the shop is inside or outside the gates.

Related foods

If the ekiben fillings interest you, see "Donburi" and "Sushi"; for the standing noodle stalls, see "Soba."