In Japan, train travel isn’t just about getting from point A to point B, it’s a full sensory experience. And one of the most delicious parts of that experience is the ekiben: a station bento box that’s as much about storytelling as it is about sustenance.

Short for eki (station) and bento (boxed meal), ekiben are sold at train stations and onboard trains across Japan. Each one is a culinary snapshot of the region, featuring local ingredients, seasonal specialties, and thoughtful presentation.

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Lately, I’ve been writing a lot about train journeys: from my recent Amtrak ride through the Rockies to a nostalgic autumn trip to Nikkō in Japan coming up on Monday. Revisiting those memories reminded me of something - or someone!- central to my everyday life: my husband, a proud densha otaku, a Japanese train enthusiast.

Before I met him, I thought trains were just a way to get from A to B. Efficient, yes. Clean, definitely. But exciting? Not really. Then I married a densha otaku, and everything changed.

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