Ekiben, which means "train station bento," is a class of Japanese bentos prepared and sold by vendors near train stations in Japan. In the early days of train travel, the journeys were often long, and ekiben were portable meals that could be purchased and taken on the train to eat during the trip. These days, it's become a way to explore the culinary culture of each area in Japan, with even the most obscure rural stations having a local specialty packed into their ekiben.