Step through the ticket gate, pick up your bento, and settle into your train seat. As you unwrap the packaging, the illustrations on the wrapping and the local delicacies inside enhance the sense of travel.

Station bentos are the unsung heroes of any journey. This book collects a variety of ekiben from across Japan and transforms them into a charming coloring book.

From kamameshi, shumai, and chicken bentos to rare regional specialties, each bento is depicted with attention to detail: the wrapping design, the box layout, and the arrangement of side dishes. The illustrations are intricate yet evoke a sense of nostalgia, accompanied by stories and anecdotes about the bentos that spark the imagination.

The book is designed so that beginners can achieve satisfying results: the left page shows a colored example, while the right page is left for you to color.

With its compact size (180 × 165 mm), the book features a cover inspired by wooden ekiben boxes and a decorative band mimicking bento wrapping, giving the book a charming, artisanal feel. The appendix includes a detailed history of station bentos, adding further depth and enjoyment. This book is perfect both for personal enjoyment and as a gift.

Immerse yourself in a blissful coloring experience while imagining journeys to new destinations.

Dimensions: 180 × 165 mm
Pages: 96
Release Date: January 16, 2026

Featured Station Bentos (by region):

• Hokkaido: Ikameshi, Salmon Rice
• Aomori: Tsugaru Local Cuisine
• Iwate: Torimai Bento
• Fukushima: Aizu Wappameshi
• Gunma: Toge no Kamameshi
• Tokyo: Chicken Bento
• Kanagawa: Shumai Bento
• Nagano: Azumino Chirashi
• Niigata: Ebi Senryo Chirashi
• Aichi: Three-color Inari
• Kyoto: Tsujidome Bento
• Nara: Momiji Kakinoha-Zushi
• Tottori: San’in Tottori Crab Bento
• Okayama: Momotaro Festival Sushi
• Hiroshima: Anagomeshi Bento
• Ehime: Sea Bream Bento
• Saga: Kashiwa Bento
• Kumamoto: Sandwich
• Special: JR Freight Container Bento

Author Profile: Mahoko Ueda was born in Tokyo. She worked as a banker and web designer before becoming a freelance illustrator. She specializes in food-themed illustrations for picture books, cover art, publications, and product packaging. Her previous works include What Can You Make? and Cake Encyclopedia.