This site is a web media that delivers all kinds of trivia, from sightseeing and gourmet spots in the six Tohoku prefectures to local, customs, and history.
Fukushima Prefecture, the largest in Tohoku, is home to seafood in the Hamadori region and mountain produce in Aizu, and the Nakadori region produces delicious rice and fruits such as peaches, making the entire prefecture a treasure trove of ingredients
A variety of delicious ekiben (boxed lunches) that make use of these ingredients are sold at each station in the prefecture, and there are many recommended bento boxes, such as the nori bento, which is said to be the best in eastern Japan, and popular B-grade gourmet ekiben
What is Ekiben?
From JR East 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.
Recently, various types of bento boxes are sold not only inside train stations but also around them, but here we will be introducing "ekiben" as bento boxes that can be purchased at ekiben shops and kiosks inside train stations. Please note that the prices of the ekiben listed are tax-inclusive prices as of December 2022
Top 5 recommended ekiben in Fukushima Prefecture!
Among the many unique ekiben from Fukushima, we have selected some that are not often seen in other prefectures
Nori Bento (1,100 yen: Fukumameya)
JR East Travel Colors 150 Selections Official Facebook Page
Nori bento, a classic bento that can be described as a home-cooked meal, has been featured on television programs as a popular ekiben across the country
White rice is topped with soft soy sauce-flavored bonito flakes and seaweed, and the two-tiered dish allows you to enjoy the combination of white rice, bonito flakes, and seaweed no matter where you eat it
When you open the lid, you'll find a large pickled plum between two rows of seaweed, which adds a nice flavor accent
The side dishes include a lightly seasoned stew of taro, carrots, and burdock, grilled salmon, omelet, and pickles, allowing you to enjoy the variety of flavors and keep your appetite going
Nori bento 887 (1,300 yen: Fukumameya)
JR East Travel Colors 150 Selections Official Facebook Page
This is a premium version of the popular nori bento, made with the high-quality rice "ASAKAMAI 887" from Koriyama. It was selected as the "Ekiben General" at the 2018 "Ekiben Aji no Jin" contest and has been on sale since April 1, 2021
The rice is served in a single layer and sprinkled with salted kelp without any dried bonito flakes, allowing you to enjoy the simple yet delicious rice
The rice is topped with a rolled omelet with seaweed and seaweed tempura, and the side dishes include the same as those in the seaweed bento, such as grilled salmon, rolled omelet, boiled taro, and pickles, as well as sweet and spicy stewed beef, which complements the delicious rice
Fukumameya ＜Information＞
Name: Fukumameya Head Office
Address: 4-8 Kubota Gohana, Tomiyamacho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture
Sauce katsudon is a B-class gourmet dish in Aizu and can be enjoyed at many restaurants, but Milk Restaurant is a popular restaurant that often has long queues due to the delicious secret sauce poured over Aizu pork loin cutlet
This popular sauce cutlet bowl is sold as an ekiben at Ashinomaki Onsen Station on the Aizu Railway
Aizu Railway <Information>
Name: Aizu Railway Co., Ltd
Address: 1-3-20 Zaimokucho, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
From the official website of Onahama Gourmet Hotel
Onahama Gourmet Hotel in Hamadori is known as the "station at the crossroads of the current," and is home to restaurants and food shops around Iwaki City, and also produces the bento boxes sold at JR Iwaki Station
This popular bento took third place in sales at the Keio Department Store Shinjuku branch's Ekiben Competition. Iwaki's local specialty, sea urchin grilled on a shell, is made by steaming sea urchin in a surf clam shell until it becomes fragrant, and it is also topped with plenty of steamed sea urchin and salmon roe
From the official website of Onahama Gourmet Hotel
It has been certified by Iwaki City's Marlin Gourmet Executive Committee and has been relaunched to coincide with the resumption of service on the Joban Line as a symbol of recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake
The cutlet of the blue marlin, known for being tough, is soaked in a special sauce, giving it a juicy and soft texture
Other side dishes include boiled taro and bamboo shoots, which go well with the cutlet and rice
Onahama Gourmet Hotel <Information>
Name: Shiome Station Onahama Gourmet Hotel
Address: 43-9 Tatsumicho, Onahama, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
Here are the stations in Fukushima where you can buy ekiben!
From Wikipedia
Ekiben are sold at stations in the prefecture, including Koriyama Station and Fukushima Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen and Tohoku Main Line in the Nakadori region, Iwaki Station in the Hamadori region, and Aizu-Wakamatsu Station and Aizu-Kawaguchi Station in Aizu
Additionally, the ekiben sold by Aizu Railway at Aizu-Tajima Station and other locations are original to the railway
Fukushima Station (ekiben shop inside the Shinkansen ticket gate, convenience store inside the station building)
From the official JR East Tohoku General Service website
Ekiben from brands such as Fukumameya and Sendai's Wellness Hakuyoken are sold at the ekiben shop next to NewDays inside the Shinkansen ticket gate on the second floor of the station building, and at the NewDays inside the station building
Koriyama Station (ekiben shop inside the station building)
From the official JR East Tohoku General Service website
There is a shop selling Fukumameya and Sendai Wellness Hakuyoken bento boxes next to NewDays inside the Shinkansen ticket gates on the second floor of the station building, and there is also a Fukumameya shop inside the conventional line ticket gates
Iwaki Station (convenience store inside the ticket gate)
From Wikipedia
NewDays inside the station sells Onahama Gourmet Hotel bento boxes and other items
Aizuwakamatsu Station (convenience store and souvenir shop inside the station)
From the official JR East Tohoku General Service website
Fukumameya's ekiben and other products are sold at the two NewDays stores inside the station and at Aizuwakamatsu Souvenir Shop on the first floor of the station
Aizu-Kawaguchi Station (station building shop)
From Wikipedia
The shop inside the tourist information center on the first floor of Aizu-Kawaguchi Station on the JR Tadami Line sells "Himemasu Sushi" from the Kanayama Town Tourism and Products Association, as well as "Katsu Roll" and rice balls from Ofukuro Shokudo in Kanayama Town
Aizu-Tajima Station (station building shop)
From Yoshitori's official Facebook page
You can pre-order Aizu Railway's original ekiben at the shop inside the station or on board the Oza Toro Observation Train
Additionally, a new "Cat Stationmaster Bento (1,000 yen)" has been released exclusively for the Oza Toro Scenic Train, and its cute illustration of the cat stationmaster is popular with children
summary
Fukushima Prefecture is served by two Shinkansen lines, as well as local lines that run through remote areas, allowing you to enjoy a variety of rail travel options
Why not buy some of the delicious and unique ekiben sold at these major stations and enjoy a relaxing train journey?
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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