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Akita Prefecture, a rice-producing region, is rich in delicious local specialties such as seafood such as sandfish, smoked daikon radish, tonburi, and water shield
There are also other high-quality meats such as Hinai Jidori chicken and Akita Kuroge Wagyu (Akita Nishiki Beef), and many popular ekiben boxes make use of these
Akita has two ekiben makers: Hanazen in Odate City and Sekineya in Akita City. The bentos made by both companies, which use the delicious Akita Komachi rice grown in the prefecture, are sold at Akita Shinkansen stations and other locations
What is Ekiben?
From Hanazen's official Facebook page
There is no specific definition, but if you think about it simply, I think it means ``lunch boxes sold at stations and eaten while boarding the train.''
Ekiben, enjoyed while enjoying the scenery outside the train window, tastes so delicious even when it's cold.
These days, a variety of bento boxes are sold not only inside stations but also around stations, but here we introduce the bento boxes that can be purchased at ekiben shops and kiosks inside stations as ``ekiben.''
Please note that the Ekiben prices listed are tax-inclusive prices as of December 2022.
Top 5 recommended ekiben in Akita Prefecture!
From Hanazen's official Facebook page
It is no exaggeration to say that Akita Prefecture's ekiben are bento boxes that allow you to enjoy the delicious rice produced in the prefecture, and the side dishes of seasonal seafood and mountain produce complement the main dish, Akita Komachi rice, which is delicious even when cold
Chicken rice bento (920 yen: Hanazen)
From Hanazen official website
When it comes to Akita station bento, the first thing that comes to mind is Hanazen's chicken rice in Odate!
This popular ekiben has been featured on a TV program as one of Japan's three great chicken rice dishes and has a history of 75 years (released in 1947)
The rice is made with 100% Akita Komachi rice and cooked in a secret chicken stock, and is flavored with soy sauce. The sweet and spicy chicken thighs go perfectly with the rice, and the dish is as delicious as ever
Apparently, chicken rice is served as a school lunch at elementary and junior high schools in Odate City, which is quite enviable
Hinai chicken rice (1,300 yen: Hanazen)
From Hanazen official website
This dish retains the delicious flavor of chicken rice and uses Hinai Jidori, one of Japan's three most delicious chickens, which Akita is proud of
This ekiben not only allows you to enjoy the flavor of Hinai Jidori chicken with salt-grilled thigh meat and sweet and spicy stewed minced meat, but also comes with delicious side dishes such as stewed tofu and eggplant with dengaku miso
Hanazen Restaurant <Information>
Name: Restaurant Hanazen
Address: 1-10-2 Onarimachi, Odate City, Akita Prefecture
Three types of deliciously seasoned meat are placed on top of plumply cooked Akita Komachi rice: Akita Prefecture's brand meat, Akita Prefecture Kuroge Wagyu Beef (Akita Nishiki Beef), Towada Lake Plateau Pork, and Hinai Jidori Chicken
It was originally exhibited as a limited edition item at the East Japan Ekiben Competition, but was so well-received that it was put on sale
Sakihokore Bento (1,280 yen: Sekineya)
Sekineya Official Website
This new ekiben will be released on October 29, 2022, and features delicious rice from Akita Prefecture
The rice is a new variety of rice from Akita Prefecture called "Sakihokore," and is placed in the center of the bento box, signifying its role as the main attraction. Side dishes include simmered Akita beef, skewers of Hinai chicken minced meat, and an assortment of smoked daikon radish, all of which use plenty of ingredients from the prefecture
Akita Whole Abalone Rice (1,550: Sekineya)
Sekineya Official Website
This product was entered in JR East's "2022 Aji no Jin" campaign and is a slightly luxurious bento box that is only available for pre-order
A large whole abalone, which has been thoroughly seasoned and softened using a vacuum cooking method, is placed on top of brown rice cooked with Akita Komachi rice and dashi broth
Next to the abalone is seaweed stewed with salmon roe and shiso seeds, and apple compote is included as a palate cleanser
Sekineya <Information>
Name: Sekineya
Address: 1-1-26 Higashidori, Akita City, Akita Prefecture
Here are the stations in Akita where you can buy ekiben!
From the official Sekineya website
Within Akita Prefecture, ekiben can be purchased at every station on the Akita Shinkansen, which branches off from the Tohoku Shinkansen at Morioka, as well as at Odate Station on the Ou Main Line, where Hanazen is located, and Noshiro Station on the Gono Line, a popular local line that runs along the Sea of Japan
Akita Station (ticket gates, convenience stores at the Shinkansen and conventional line platforms, and souvenir shop Komachien)
JR East Tohoku General Service Official Website
Sekineya and Hanazen bento boxes are sold at the central ticket gate, New Days on the Shinkansen platform, and at Komachien Souvenir Shop in the station building
Although the selection is limited, they can also be purchased at the convenience stores on the Shinkansen platforms and from the carts on the conventional train platforms
Omagari Station (convenience store next to the ticket gate)
Hanazen and Sekineya bento boxes are sold at the kiosk on the right after you exit the ticket gate
Due to the size of the store, there are only a limited number of bento boxes available
Kakunodate Station (convenience store inside the station building)
New Days, located in the waiting room, sells a limited variety of Hanazen and Sekineya bento boxes
Additionally, at Kakunodate Station on the Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway, which is adjacent to JR Kakunodate Station, you can purchase six varieties of "Original Iron Rice" and three varieties of "Hot Iron Rice."
Please note that various ekiben are planned for each season, and quantities may be limited, so we recommend checking with the tourist information desk at Aniai Station before making a reservation
For more details about the lunch boxes, please visit the Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway official website below
Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway <Information>
Name: Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway Co., Ltd
Address: 41-1 Shimonomachi, Ani Ginzan, Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture
Tazawako Station (convenience store inside the station building)
The kiosk in the waiting room sells bento boxes from Hanazen and Sekineya, but the selection is limited
Odate Station (convenience store inside the station building, Hanazen headquarters in front of the station)
From Hanazen's official Facebook page
Hanazen bento boxes can be purchased at New Days inside the station, as well as at the Hanazen headquarters in front of the station
If you make a reservation with Hanazen by 5pm the day before, you can pick up your lunch box at the train entrance, but since the stop is short, make sure you have the exact amount ready so you don't get any change
Noshiro Station (convenience store inside the station building)
You can purchase Hanazen's chicken rice and other dishes at the kiosk inside the station, but quantities are limited so it is recommended to make a reservation
Additionally, if you board the Gono Line's Resort Shirakami train, you can reserve Hanazen's chicken rice as well as a Noshiro beef bento box, which you can pick up upon arrival at Noshiro Station
For more details, please check the "JR Gono Line Travel" website on the JR East official website below
Odate Hanazen's chicken rice is a unique and long-selling ekiben
When the Blue Train was still operating on the Ou Main Line, many people would have made reservations and purchased tickets at the boarding gate upon arrival at Odate Station
Nowadays, there are fewer trains like the Blue Train that allow you to enjoy a leisurely journey, but Akita Prefecture is seeing a steady stream of new ekiben that make the most of the delicious flavor of rice
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
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![Iburigakko](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1534044_m-150x150.jpg.webp "What is the traditional food "Iburigakko"? Great for snacks and dinner! [Akita Prefecture]")
