The ekiben (train station bento) is a Japanese institution, cheap, cheerful and the perfect accompaniment on a long ride on the Shinkansen (bullet train). Stations throughout Japan have signature bentos, and the Japanese foodie doesn’t feel fulfilled without trying it.
In the town of Mishima in Shizuoka Prefecture, west of Tokyo, the ekiben of record is aji (horse mackerel) sushi, served as maki (rolls), nigiri (on rice) and wrapped in shiso leaves. The green container in the lower right is a mini-grater for wasabi (Japanese horseradish). It’s served as a root, which you grind yourself and mix with soy sauce for dipping.