This episode features ekiben, the boxed meals sold at railroad stations that add flavor, beauty and fun to a journey. The meals tend to feature local ingredients and come in a range of distinctive containers and wrapping papers. We look at an aficionado who has sampled all 4,500 different versions of ekiben around Japan, and who makes a point of savoring these meals as the scenery unfolds from the train window. We focus on a homely version of ekiben from the Tsugaru region of northern Honshu, and delve into history of some other famous versions from around Japan. Along the way, we introduce you to specialists crafting the wrapping papers.
