If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.
James A. Michener
One thing I was happy to try out in Japan was the food. I did not visit expensive restaurants but went for everyday food, incl. bento boxes and ekibens:
The image above shows the best sushi I ever had — at a fish market in Tokyo.
The following photos show two ekibens — bento boxes made to be eaten during a train ride (I think). I did not know that the right one had a heater beneath it. Apparently you open it and the heat warms the meat.
The heating package below — not sure whether it was the correct way to rip it open via the cord.
First thought it was rice, but the heat and the warning label gave it away.
One impressive thing is how the food is often advertised — by placing replicas of the food in the window. And oftentimes, the food looks very tasty and highly similar to the actual thing:
Of course, nothing beats the real thing …
Really nice of them to indicate that you can take photos. I wish more vendors would do it. And the models of the food in the window … yeah, that’s a great idea. And very very well done.