Train lunches disappearing from railway stations

By Takashi Okada

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14 Comments

Statistician at 11:00 AM JST - 27th October

So when they closed the line there were fewer trains? And then this guy found a roadside location instead? Sharp thinking.
ThreeTigers at 02:04 PM JST - 27th October

I've been aboard a "restaurant" train cart in China. That was such a vintage-feeling experience! Very romantic.
Azrael at 08:17 PM JST - 27th October

Those train lunches are delicious. I had one of those a year ago at　Oginoya restaurant near old　Yokogawa Station 「横川駅のおぎのや」 for less than a 1000yen (I think it was 800yen or less). They let you keep the pot if you want. It's a traditional pot, like the ones originally used. It has an earthenware lid. The pot is awesome for cooking in the microwave (and to make rice and the train lunch itself, but I've not tried that yet) and it was pretty much for free, considering its high earthenware quality. I'm still amazed it's given away. I've seen clay cooking pots of the same size at Muji for 2000yen, and not quite as nice! The pot has engraved the name of the restaurant and train station because it's a souvenir. I think it is an awesome way to recall history through hands on (well, chopsticks on) experience. Yokogawa Station is a cultural site, and they have old train cars and antique locomotives on display.

In my city there is a restaurant that makes and delivers train lunches, including the pot. I think it's 1500yen a pot. However eating a pot lunch at the old stations or nearby is way better, and cheaper (well, once you actually get there).
Azrael at 08:29 PM JST - 27th October

Here you can see the pot meal and the location of Yokogawa Station and Oginoya Restaurant in Gunma Prefecture:

http://en-c-exis.jp/detail/shopping/588

It's in English.
Azrael at 08:31 PM JST - 27th October

Oh dear, it's not showing Yokogawa Station itself. Well, at least it shows the pot lunch n.n;.
upnorth71 at 09:12 PM JST - 27th October

Actually, you can still buy the lunch at Yokokawa station- there is a kiosk next to the station building, and I think they have a selling window on the platform side, so you don't even have to leave the station(though most do, as the line dead-ends here). And I second Azreal's recommendation- I'm not a big ekiben fan, but this one is delicious, and the pot is a nice souvenir.
GG2141 at 10:40 PM JST - 27th October

The ekiben in a pot may well be delicious, but the majority of the ekiben I have eaten tasted like they were made from cardboard.

This may be related to their decrease in sales.
usaexpat at 11:28 PM JST - 27th October

Victims of the relentless march of "progress" I guess. I always liked sleeping trains and train lunches. There's something a little vintage feeling about travel where half of the fun is getting there.
kjunluc2 at 05:46 AM JST - 28th October

From the headlines I thought someone had stolen the lunches.

Were these vendors the same as used to yell: "Bento! Bento! Sandowichi!" when the old coal burner trains pulled into station?
Sarge at 09:51 PM JST - 28th October

"seasoned steamed rice, chicken, Chinese mushrooms and bamboo shoots"

Yum!
DerekTrotter at 04:23 AM JST - 29th October

I agree with kjunluc2,. You can't beat a Bentos. steak and kidney or Steak and ale with chips or mash, lovely jubbly.

Just like me old mum used to cook, cushty!!
ptolemy at 12:32 AM JST - 30th October

This just in, Ramen shops, Circle K and Family Mart are near or in 90% of stations. We now return to your JT viewing.
silverwind20 at 04:44 AM JST - 31st October

yeah, I figured that someone had stolen them too. . . stupid misleading headlines >
flammenwerfer at 07:48 PM JST - 5th November

train lunch? don't you mean Ekiben? there is not real translation in English so why not stick with the Japanese word, like we do with Tsunami, Karate, Aikido, Karaoke etc.

Such is life, many other old traditions are dying, Ekibens were sure to follow, besides these days (or has it always been), its rude to eat on most trains, isn't it? The proliferations of cheap night buses and the decline of sleeper trains cant have helped either and much cheaper bentos from the conbeni near in inside the train stations.