Daruma Ekiben and Shinkasen Ride Adventure
Daruma Ekiben and Shinkasen Ride Adventure
Overview
In this episode, John Daub wraps up a filming session at the historic Tomioka Silk Mill in Gunma Prefecture and heads to Takasaki Station to catch the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. Along the way, he hunts down a local specialty: the daruma bento (Dharma doll bento). Famous for its symbolic meaning regarding goals and prosperity, the bento comes in a reusable plastic case shaped like a Daruma doll.
John races against the clock to secure a non-reserved ticket and the beloved bento before the train arrives. Despite the rush, he takes time to explain the cultural significance of the Daruma doll, including the tradition of filling in the eyes upon setting and achieving goals. Once aboard the Shinkansen, John finds himself in a standing-room-only situation but makes the best of it by unboxing and reviewing the meal in the hallway.
This video offers a genuine look at Japanese rail travel, the culture of ekiben (station bento), and the charm of regional specialties found at train stations across Japan. It captures the spontaneity of travel when plans don't go perfectly, yet the experience remains enjoyable thanks to good food and scenery.
Highlights
- 00:03 John introduces Takasaki, Gunma, and his mission to find the Daruma Bento.
- 00:40 Explanation of the Daruma doll symbolism and goal-setting tradition.
- 01:29 The rush to the platform with only five minutes to spare.
- 03:21 The energetic vendor calling out "Dharma bento!" on the platform.
- 04:00 Discovery of a Hello Kitty variety of the Daruma Bento.
- 05:54 Using a digital vending machine to buy a cold tea before boarding.
- 07:26 The Shinkansen arrives at high speed without platform protective walls.
- 09:38 Realization that the train is crowded and seats are unavailable.
- 13:31 Unboxing the Daruma Bento in the train hallway while standing.
- 21:32 Final explanation of Daruma history and goal-setting customs.
Timeline / Chapters
- 00:00 Intro at Takasaki Station
- 00:40 Daruma Doll Symbolism
- 01:29 Rush to the Platform
- 03:21 Buying the Bento
- 05:18 Vending Machine & Boarding
- 07:26 Shinkansen Arrival
- 09:38 No Seats Available
- 11:58 Decision to Unbox Standing
- 13:31 Bento Review & Tasting
- 20:44 Super Chat Acknowledgments
- 21:32 Daruma History Recap
- 22:20 Outro & Next Video Tease
Japan Travel Tips
- Ekiben Timing: Station bentos (ekiben) are best purchased just before boarding. Popular ones can sell out, so arrive early.
- Non-Reserved Tickets: Jūseki (non-reserved) tickets are cheaper but risk standing room only during peak times. Reserve seats if traveling during holidays or weekends.
- Vending Machines: Many modern vending machines accept IC cards (like Suica/Pasmo) for contactless payment.
- Platform Safety: Some older or regional Shinkansen platforms may lack full protective walls; stand behind the yellow line.
- Train Etiquette: If the train is crowded, eat quickly or move to the area between cars if necessary, though eating in seats is standard.
- Daruma Souvenirs: Daruma dolls make excellent gifts for friends starting new ventures or goals.
Japanese Language & Culture Notes
- Daruma (Dharma Doll): A traditional Japanese doll modeled after Bodhidharma. They are symbols of perseverance and good luck.
- Goal Setting Ritual: When you receive a Daruma, you fill in one eye when setting a goal. Upon achieving the goal, you fill in the second eye.
- Jūseki (Non-Reserved): Refers to train tickets where you do not have a specific seat assigned. You board and take any open seat in the non-reserved cars.
- Konnyaku: A jelly-like food made from the konjac yam. It is low calorie and often served in oden or bento boxes.
- Kawaii: Means "cute." John spots a Hello Kitty version of the bento box.
Food & Drink Guide
- Daruma Bento (980 Yen)
- Where: Takasaki Station platform vendors.
- Contents: Chicken, pickles, konnyaku, vegetables, rice.
- Container: Reusable plastic Daruma doll shape.
- John's Reaction: Healthy looking, good value, enjoys the keepsake container.
- Timestamp: 13:31
- Green Tea (Vending Machine)
- Where: Station platform vending machine.
- Price: Not specified (paid with IC card).
- John's Reaction: Refreshing cold tea for the journey.
- Timestamp: 05:54
People
- John Daub: Host and narrator. He guides viewers through the station experience, explains cultural context, and reviews the food.
- Station Staff: Vendors on the platform selling the bento. They are energetic, calling out to passengers to sell the Daruma Bento.
Key Takeaways
- Takasaki Station is famous for its Daruma Bento, a regional specialty.
- The Daruma doll represents goal setting; filling in the eyes marks the start and completion of a wish.
- Shinkansen travel can be crowded even outside peak hours; non-reserved tickets carry a risk of standing.
- Ekiben containers are often designed to be kept as souvenirs or reusable boxes.
- Digital vending machines at stations often accept IC cards for convenience.
Notable Quotes
- 00:40 "Daruma is this thing right there. And they're famous because, well, they bring kind of good luck."
- 01:29 "When you complete your goal, you fill in the second eye. So it has a big symbolic meaning."
- 03:21 "Dharma bento! Dharma bento! 1000 yen!"
- 05:18 "I've been living in Japan for almost 20 years, I've never had a daruma bento."
- 11:58 "Now that I started the video, I have basically no choice but to unbox this baby right here, right now."
- 15:47 "You get to keep the plastic daruma, which is kind of cool. So you get to keep the bento case."
- 22:20 "I hope you learned something new about Takasaki and a little bit about Japanese culture."
Related Topics
- Ekiben Reviews
- Shinkansen Travel Guide
- Gunma Prefecture Tourism
- Japanese Souvenirs & Gifts
- Tomioka Silk Mill History
Search Tags
#only-in-japan-go #takasaki #gunma #daruma-bento #shinkansen #ekiben #travel #tokyo #station-food #japan-rail #daruma #japanese-culture
Full Transcript
00:03 John Daub: Greetings from beautiful Takasaki. This is in Gunma Prefecture. I am just about to get into the Shinkansen. Boom, there's Takasaki Station. And it's a beautiful day here. This is the second biggest city in Gunma. Maebashi is the capital of Gunma Prefecture. But it's a pretty big town, pretty big city. And I've come here to film. Here's the downtown area. There's the station where I am right now. And we're going to go back into the station.
00:40 John Daub: Because I have a Shinkansen ticket to go back to Tokyo. I was here to film at the Tomioka Silk Mill. I finished and I'm going back home. And I'm going to get something that's very famous here in Takasaki. It's called a daruma bento. Now, daruma (Dharma doll) is this thing right there. And they're famous because, well, they bring kind of good luck. And you get these when you want to start a goal. I'm going to explain this more in detail. But that is a daruma. It's sort of symbolic. And it's a very good gift to give because it's something you give when you want somebody to be prosperous.
01:29 John Daub: I'm right now walking towards the Shinkansen platform. I have only five minutes to get there. I bought the ticket in advance, of course. This is the normal JR line. We're going to the Shinkansen. As you can see on this map, I'm in the red. That's where I am. And that's downtown Tokyo, the circle. So I'm going there. And I'm way out there. Yeah, I'm on the run. I still can't find the bento. Here's some more daruma. And they don't have any eyes because when you... that means they're not sold. So after you buy it, you give it to somebody, and you start a goal. Then you fill in one eye. When you complete your goal, you fill in the second eye. So it has a big symbolic meaning. That's why those daruma are really good gifts to give to people.
02:45 John Daub: Shop but we don't have time. I'm really sorry. I gotta run. Four minutes and I don't have a reserved ticket. I got a jūseki (non-reserved) ticket. This is what it looks like. Again, so from Takasaki to Tokyo it's about a 40-minute ride, not too bad. But there aren't many trains here so I can't miss this one. If I do, I'll be eating it on the platform.
03:21 Staff: Dharma bento! Dharma bento! Dharma bento! Dharma bento! Dharma bento! 1000 yen!
03:32 John Daub: I'm sorry. Can I have one daruma bento please?
03:38 Staff: Yes. Here you go.
03:47 John Daub: Thank you.
03:51 John Daub: Wow, is it always like this?
03:55 Staff: It's always like this.
03:56 John Daub: Wow. Here's a sample. Wow, there's a kitty too.
04:00 Staff: There's a kitty.
04:01 John Daub: Oh, then it's okay.
04:04 Staff: It's okay. It's okay. There's a kitty.
04:10 John Daub: So there's a Hello Kitty variety of the daruma bento. Oh, there it is. Oh, kawaii. Wow, kawaii. So next I'm going to eat this.
04:29 John Daub: Okay, then I'll have nine.
04:33 Staff: Okay. Here you go.
04:34 John Daub: Thank you.
04:35 Staff: Thank you.
04:36 John Daub: You're welcome. 5,6,7,8,9,10! Thank you! Thank you!
05:18 John Daub: I have my daruma bento. So, the train's gonna be here in just a couple of minutes. We gotta get a drink at the vending machine, and then I can unbox this baby and eat it inside. I've never had this before. I've been living in Japan for almost 20 years, I've never had a daruma bento. Because... I don't really know why. They're famous in Takasaki, and that's not a station that I go to a lot. What a beautiful, bright, sunny day. It's like summer.
05:54 John Daub: Drink. Oh, zero. I'm gonna use a card. Which one should I get? I want some cold tea. That's pretty cool. All digital, huh? You didn't expect that, did you? That's my train! So cars number 1 through 5 are non-reserved. So if you have the ticket without a seat, you're probably gonna be okay. I have my daruma bento. And we're gonna unbox this thing. I hope there's a seat where I don't have to sit next to somebody and I can just eat this thing in private. Or the guy next to me is gonna have some daruma bento in his lap.
07:26 John Daub: I'm taking the second car. Let's see if we can get a shot of the Shinkansen coming in. Here it comes! Wow! You see it? It's flying! In Takasaki, they don't have any walls for protection here. Here it comes! My ride back to Tokyo. So in Japan, everybody makes a really orderly line before they get onto the train. Oh no, it's crowded! I might have to eat this outside. I'm going to this one. Oh! It's crowded! I can't sit! Why is it so crowded? It's like 3pm!
09:38 John Daub: Alright, bye bye Takasaki. Thank you. They really play that signal long just in case someone's running from the vending machine. Because once these doors close, they're like sealed so you can't open it until you get to the next destination. Alright, bye bye. Bye bye Takasaki. They're closing it now. Bye bye lady at the elevator. That's a guy. The seating arrangement does not look good. Let's just do a walkthrough, okay? We'll see. You never know. It's crowded.
11:00 John Daub: So sometimes when you ride the Shinkansen, you don't get a seat if you're taking the ticket in the middle of the ride. Meaning, right now I'm on a train from Kanazawa, which is the origin, to Tokyo. And the train is full. And the next stop is Omiya. And then Ueno. And then Tokyo Station. So I'm going to be standing for the next 30 minutes. But I have a cold tea. And... dun dun dun! Daruma bento. Boom! There she is. In a bag.
11:58 John Daub: This time I was in Osaka and I did a Shinkansen trip. I also didn't unbox it. And I took a lot of heat from people going, what does it taste like? Now that I started the video, I have basically no choice but to unbox this baby right here, right now. So that's what we're going to do. There really is no seat. You saw it, right? It's completely full. I mean, there's a couple of seats between a couple of smelly guys, but I'd rather just be on my own. So, sometimes you have to make do with what you have. It doesn't always work the way you want it to. So I'm going to take a long drag on this tea because I've been out there. I'm sorry if the audio isn't good. It's OK.
13:31 John Daub: Cool locations in the hallway, but at least I'm not the only one here. I'm stuck too. Let's open this up. Let's see what... Itake. There's some pickles and some chicken. Chicken right here. Some more pickles. That looks like konnyaku (devil's tongue yam). Konnyaku is made from the root of the konjac plant. It's like a gelatin yam. There's some more vegetables. This looks pretty healthy, doesn't it? Pretty nice. There you go. There's your screenshot with the daruma bento. They did a good job packing in the good stuff.
15:47 John Daub: The good thing about the daruma bento is it costs, I think it was less than 1,000 yen, 980 yen. And you get to keep the plastic daruma, which is kind of cool. So you get to keep the bento case. And now we get to try what does it taste like. Sometimes I use my ears in inconvenient places to make sure my chopsticks don't get dirty. Assuming that my ears are clean. Alright, let's try this thing here.
20:44 John Daub: Yes, that's exactly how much the daruma costs. It's 980 yen, which translates roughly to $10. So thank you. It's really nice of you. And Jim in Tacoma. Hey John, have a great ride. Thank you very much. I always appreciate Jim. Thank you so much for those super chats. That's awesome. Yeah, I am eating a daruma bento. The live stream here as I eat at light speed.
21:32 John Daub: Before I leave, I want to tell you a little bit about the history of the daruma one more time. The daruma is... it's sort of a religious object that has a lot of meaning. A popular present to give somebody when you want them to be successful or have prosperity. And when you set a goal, you color in one eye. You fill it in. And then when you complete, you fill in the second eye. It's a bento box. You don't have to fill it in. It's just for bentos, I guess. But I still got a little bit more to eat. There's two stops from Takasaki. There's Omiya and then Ueno, I think. And then I get into Tokyo Station.
22:20 John Daub: So I'm going to leave you right here. This has been kind of an eventful trip. I have my daruma bento. I have the green tea from the vending machine. The digital vending machine. That was a lot of fun. And now I'm going home to edit the rest of the video. So there's going to be a new video on the main channel in the next 24 hours. It's Aogashima. And we're going through a station. Not stopping, apparently. Oh, Uniqlo. No! I need to get some socks. So I'm going to leave you here. So thanks so much for watching this daruma bento. I hope you learned something new about Takasaki and a little bit about Japanese culture. And how to ride the Shinkansen. I'll leave you the last 20 seconds looking outside as we travel warp speed back to Tokyo. Thanks, everyone.