Japan’s iconic Shinkansen, or bullet trains, are celebrated for their speed, punctuality and engineering brilliance. Yet for many travellers, the culinary experience is just as memorable as the journey itself. The star attraction is the ekiben, short for eki bento or station lunchbox, a long-standing Japanese railway tradition. According to the official Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), ekiben are regional boxed meals sold at railway stations and designed to showcase local ingredients and culinary traditions, making every train journey a food tour in itself. JR East, one of Japan’s largest railway operators, also describes ekiben as a unique food culture that celebrates regional flavours across the country. Here are some of the best ekiben to try on a Shinkansen journey.
