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In and around stations Ekiben (Station lunchbox) In Japan, various kinds of Ekiben are sold at stations and limited express trains. They often use unique foods of each region and sometimes even 'Nationwide Ekiben Festival' is held at department store due to their interesting tastes. Prices vary from about 600 yen to 2,000 yen or so, average 800 or 900 yen. Compared with other kind of bento (lunchbox) in Japan, it is a little expensive. Tachigui Soba (Standing Noodle Shop) Many stations have noodle counters, in which passengers stand by counter and rush Soba or Udon (Japanese noodle). Usually shop attendants give you Soba within thirty seconds after the order. Soba and Udon shops correspond to sandwich or hamburger shops in west. It might require some 'skill' to use chopsticks and eat noodles. Larger ones provide seats. Many shops sell 'portable soba' by plastic bowl in the case train is just departing. Prices are about 250 to 500 yen according to the contents of soba. Eki Biru (Station Building) or Department Store Many of the major stations are connected to Eki Biru (Station Building) shopping center. Wandering around the building you will find restaurant floor in it, easy to find lunch of 800 yen or so. Also often the basement floor is for foods including bento (lunchbox) and sozai (cooked foods, not material), about 400 to 800 yen. They are cheaper than ekiben and better than following convenience store foods in quality. Outside stations Convenience Store (called 'Konbini') Hundreds of Convenience stores are found all over Japan, such as Seven-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart, and so on. They open for 24 hours, some from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.. Breads, Onigiri (Rice ball) and bento (about 300 to 500 yen) are easily available there. They locate mainly in urban area, not only commercial center but also in residential area or along main road, and some exist in station building or even platform. Convenience stores always provide foodstuffs and other various goods without running out (unlike ekiben often unavailable in the evening and night) by well-organized transport and goods management system and mass production, better or worse substantial part of many Japanese people's life especially the younger. Fast- food Chain There are many fast food chain shops both Japanese and western style (such as McDonald's). Prices are 300 to 600 yen. Japanese ones provide Gyudon (Beef rice), Tendon (fried vegetables and fishes with rice) or Udon (noodle). McDonald is not so different from ones in many other countries, but there are some other hamburger chains which provide prawn burger or rice burger. In Tokyo Shibuya, six McDonald's shops exist in 200 meters radius area, said to be the densest concentration of McDonald's in the world. Ramen or Chinese foods Chinese restaurants are seen all over the world and Japan is no exception. Ramen, common noodle, is originally Chinese noodle but changed in Japan. Many are run by individual family but there are some chain ramen shops. Prices are 400 or 600 yen and generally satisfactory in quantity compared with other kinds of food shops. Family Restaurant They are restaurant chain mostly locate along main road with large parking, though some exist in city center. Generally open till late at night. Some until 5 a.m. and can be a place to stay a night with a cup of coffee when travelingc They provide various foods, Japanese, Chinese and Western. Prices are a little expensive, 800 to 1,500 yen. |