Train Food in Japan (Eating on Trains in Japan): Culture, Manners, and Ways to Enjoy It

Savoring meals alongside the beautiful views from your train window makes rail travel in Japan feel even more special. From classic ekiben sold for the shinkansen and limited express, to lavish dining aboard sightseeing trains and beloved local dishes from each region, there’s a wide spectrum of delights. In this article, you’ll explore Japan’s uniquely rich railway food culture, along with the manners to enjoy it well and recommended journeys that bring it to life.

Basic Manners for Enjoying Train Food in Japan

One of the essential pleasures of riding long-distance trains like the shinkansen or limited express is enjoying Train Food while gazing out the window. Eating ekiben on Japan’s long-distance trains is common, but there are a few points of etiquette to keep in mind.

How to Tell Where Eating and Drinking Are Allowed

On shinkansen and most limited express trains in Japan, eating and drinking are generally permitted. Each seat typically has a fold-out tray table, so you can comfortably enjoy your ekiben and beverages. By contrast, on commuter trains and subways used for short hops, eating is often considered poor manners, as personal space is tighter—so it’s best to refrain. In the shinkansen’s Green Car (first class), the atmosphere is especially quiet, so please be mindful of aromas and noise.

Consideration for Others and Etiquette

On public transportation in Japan, being considerate of others matters. Avoid foods with strong smells and snacks that tend to be noisy. Always take your trash with you or use the onboard trash bins.
Because quiet is appreciated in Japanese train cars, it’s also best to avoid loud conversations or disruptive behavior. When you enjoy a meal on board, remember these courtesies and show respect for Japan’s railway culture.

Japan’s Signature Ekiben (Station Bento) Culture

Ekiben—boxed meals sold at stations—enrich Japan’s rail journeys by packing regional character and seasonality into a single box.

History and Regional Character of Ekiben

Ekiben is said to have begun on July 16, 1885 at Utsunomiya Station, with two rice balls and takuan pickles sold as a set. Since then, regionally distinctive ekiben have flourished nationwide. For example, “Toge no Kamameshi” from Yokokawa Station in Gunma comes in a ceramic pot brimming with mountain delicacies and is loved across Japan. Toyama Station’s “Masu no Sushi” is a pressed trout sushi that offers a traditional, refined taste. Acting as a little “media” for local food culture, ekiben are treasured by travelers from Japan and abroad.

The Appeal of Seasonal and New Ekiben

The charm of ekiben lies not only in tradition but also in seasonal and limited-edition creations. In spring you might find Odawara Station’s cherry blossom–themed “Sakura Mankai Hanami Bento,” in autumn Yokohama Station’s Kiyoken “Aki no Kanagawa Ajiwai Bento,” and in winter Kanazawa Station’s “Zuwai Crab Deluxe Bento”—each turning your trip into a vivid memory. A recent trend drawing attention is Sendai Station’s self-heating “Grilled Gyutan Bento” from Miyagi, which warms itself in its special container. You’ll also find playful packages and collaborations with popular characters—proof that ekiben culture continues to evolve. When you visit Japan, be sure to pick up local ekiben and make the most of your journey by train.

Luxurious Train Food Experiences on Sightseeing Trains

Across Japan, there are sightseeing trains whose artful design and generous service make your trip feel extraordinary. Interiors can resemble a hotel lounge or fine restaurant; the atmosphere is like a moving gallery. Their distinctive décor, sweeping views, and one-of-a-kind onboard experiences strongly appeal to culturally curious international travelers.

A flagship example is TRAIN SUITE Shiki-shima, which roams Eastern Japan. Its modern-Japanese interior featuring traditional crafts and its observation spaces let you immerse yourself in seasonal landscapes.
Kyushu’s “Seven Stars in Kyushu” is known for an elegant fusion of Japanese and Western design, with a lounge for live music and even a tearoom—perfect for lingering in luxury. There’s also “Aru Ressha,” a recreation of a lavish Meiji-era train, and “La Malle de Bois,” which blends art and travel—each with its own personality and charm.

Dining onboard is just as special. On Shiki-shima, you can savor a French full-course meal highlighting seasonal ingredients from Eastern Japan. On Seven Stars, acclaimed local chefs craft inventive cuisine rooted in Kyushu’s terroir.
Aru Ressha serves menus overseen by world-renowned chefs, with meticulous attention to ingredients and tableware. La Malle de Bois offers an easygoing way to enjoy local sweets and specialties—perfect for deepening the sense of place as you ride.

Deepening Your Understanding of Japanese Food Culture Through Hands-On Programs

Japanese food culture is best appreciated not only by eating, but also by making and learning. In recent years, hands-on programs like ekiben-making and cooking classes have spread across the country and earn high marks from international travelers.

At ekiben workshops, you create an original bento using local ingredients and then enjoy it onboard—an especially popular event. In Niigata, for example, there are family-friendly sessions where you can bring your hand-made ekiben onto the train. Cooking classes for sushi, tempura, and more are offered in many cities, often with strong English support so you can join with confidence.

Some sightseeing trains also host seminars and guided programs themed around history and the arts. Seven Stars even features a tearoom for an authentic matcha experience. On special trains planned by JR West, local brewers come aboard to share sake or craft beer pairings and lead sessions that explore regional food culture. Experiences like these help you gain a deeper understanding of Japan’s culinary traditions—turning a simple trip into something truly enriching.

（Reference source: IntaPay “What Kind of Experiential Tourism Do Inbound Visitors Want? Trends in Popular Venues and Events” https://intapay-payment.intasect.com/column/experiential-inbound-tourism）
（Reference source: airKitchen “Cooking Classes & Hands-On Workshops” https://airkitchen.jp/）

Rail travel in Japan is more than getting from A to B—it’s a delicious way to encounter each region’s food culture. With a history of over 100 years, ekiben (boxed meals sold at stations) are like tiny treasure chests filled with local specialties, and they’re highly regarded by international visitors as an expression of Japanese culture (＊1). Enjoying regional dishes while the scenery glides by is one of Japan’s most distinctive travel pleasures.

Traditional Cuisine Journeys on Local Lines

On leisurely local lines that run through the countryside, you can settle into the slower rhythm and savor traditional foods rooted in place. Many sightseeing trains offer special dishes and desserts made from local ingredients along the route, and some pair them with regional sake or wine for an indulgent ride.

For instance, the restaurant train “Orange Shokudo,” operated by the Hisatsu Orange Railway in Kyushu, serves creative French-style course meals crafted from local specialties, with each departure offering thoughtful variations. As you gaze at the gentle coastline outside your window, the seasonal dishes made from local ingredients feel especially memorable.
Niigata’s “Echigo Tokimeki Resort Setsugekka” is likewise famous for its devotion to local, seasonal produce and for original menus designed by chefs who truly understand the region’s climate and culture. In early spring you might find delicate appetizers featuring mountain vegetables; in autumn, main courses starring the bounty of the Sea of Japan—letting you taste the seasons and traditions with each journey. On these local lines, you’ll encounter flavors steeped in regional history and culture, deepening your understanding as you ride.

And don’t forget ekiben. Station bentos sold along the way are packed with hometown dishes and stories. Toyama Station’s beloved “Masu Sushi” may look like a simple pressed sushi, but the bamboo-leaf-wrapped round wooden box has a quiet elegance, and its roots trace back to a preserved food long enjoyed by Toyama’s farming families over the centuries. On these nostalgia-rich local lines, you can sample a famed ekiben at each stop and immerse yourself in a moving “food journey.”

Pairing the Shinkansen with High-End Gourmet Experiences

Thanks to Japan’s world-class shinkansen, you can design a luxurious itinerary that hops between culinary hotspots in a single day. In “Gran Class,” the shinkansen’s top tier, dedicated attendants provide gracious service, offering light Japanese and Western bites made with select ingredients, plus drinks from esteemed local labels.

Taken in a calm, private-feeling seat as the scenery rolls by, each bite feels as polished as a business-class meal in the sky. On the Tohoku Shinkansen, for instance, you might find sake and wines from regions along the line, letting you taste the local character as you travel.

Because the shinkansen moves so quickly, you can do things like enjoy an elegant Japanese breakfast in Tokyo, head to Hokuriku for a lunch of fresh Sea of Japan seafood, then dine on kaiseki (a refined multi-course Japanese meal) in Kyoto that same evening.
In fact, JR companies and travel agencies offer many gourmet tours built around shinkansen routes. Seasonal packages abound, such as winter day trips to Northern Kinki for a full course of famed crab. If you’re seeking seasonal flavors, these premium options deliver.

Ekiben are also trending upscale: boxed meals featuring luxury ingredients—like wagyu steak bentos—can be priced at around 3,000 yen per box (＊5). Combine the speed and comfort of the shinkansen with these offerings, and the journey itself becomes a refined culinary experience—one that will delight travelers who love polished trips.

Summary

Rail travel in Japan goes far beyond transportation—it’s a chance to immerse yourself in regional cultures and cuisines. Ekiben you pick up on the way are like tiny treasure chests that condense Japan’s culinary diversity, letting you taste the seasons and local character; they’re hugely popular with overseas visitors.

Sightseeing trains, meanwhile, offer luxurious dining while you enjoy gorgeous views—full-course menus and sweets crafted from local, seasonal ingredients showcase each place at its best.
At the same time, remember to be considerate when you eat onboard. In Japan, that means being mindful of aromas and noise and respecting the quiet atmosphere. Follow these courtesies and your rail journey will feel even richer. When you visit, make Train Food your gateway into Japan’s food culture—and take home memories you won’t forget.