Tokaido Shinkansen Bento Ekiben Unboxing on the Train
Tokaido Shinkansen Bento Ekiben Unboxing on the Train
Overview
In this episode, John Daub takes viewers aboard the Tokaido Shinkansen for a unique dining experience. Instead of visiting a restaurant, he unboxes a special ekiben (station bento) sold directly on the train. The video serves as both a food review and a travel guide, showcasing the convenience and quality of train food in Japan. John details the contents of the 1,000 yen bento, which features regional specialties from along the Tokaido line, including anago (conger eel) and hanpen (fish cake).
Beyond the food, John shares practical travel tips for Shinkansen passengers. He discusses seat selection for viewing Mount Fuji, the availability of power outlets for working on the go, and etiquette regarding voice volume on the train. The episode captures the atmosphere of high-speed rail travel in Japan, including the transition from open views to tunnels as the train approaches Mount Fuji.
John also outlines his travel itinerary, revealing plans to meet up with fellow creator Kevin in Osaka and Kyoto for upcoming collaborations. This vlog-style update provides insight into the behind-the-scenes workflow of creating content while traveling across Japan.
Highlights
- 00:00:00 John introduces the exclusive Shinkansen bento box.
- 00:00:40 Unboxing reveals a map of the Tokaido Shinkansen line inside the lid.
- 00:01:32 Detailed look at the bento contents including fried rice and anago.
- 00:02:20 John explains the need to eat quickly before entering tunnels near Mount Fuji.
- 00:04:00 Tasting the vegetables, croquette, and baby octopus tentacles.
- 00:05:39 Review of the anago (eel) on rice and kuro hanpen (black fish cake).
- 00:06:45 Travel plans revealed: filming with Kevin in Osaka and Kyoto.
- 00:07:36 Demonstration of power outlets available on the Shinkansen.
- 00:10:40 Tip for viewing Mount Fuji: sit on the right side of the train.
- 00:12:09 Final thoughts on signal loss in tunnels and punctuality of the Shinkansen.
Timeline / Chapters
- 00:00:00 Introduction and Bento Overview
- 00:00:40 Packaging and Map Details
- 00:01:32 Unboxing the Food Items
- 00:02:20 Eating Strategy and Tunnel Warning
- 00:04:00 Taste Test: Vegetables and Seafood
- 00:05:39 Taste Test: Eel and Fish Cake
- 00:06:45 Travel Itinerary and Collaboration Plans
- 00:07:36 Working on the Train (Outlets)
- 00:08:41 Station Stop and Etiquette
- 00:09:54 Q&A and Route Information
- 00:10:40 Mount Fuji Viewing Tips
- 00:11:14 Signal Loss and Sign Off
- 00:12:09 Final Observations on Punctuality
Japan Travel Tips
- Seat Selection: For the best view of Mount Fuji on the Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo to Osaka direction), sit on the right side of the train (seats D and E in standard class).
- Bento Purchase: You can buy ekiben at stations before boarding or from cart attendants on the train. On-board options may be limited compared to station selections.
- Power Outlets: Shinkansen trains typically have power outlets available for passengers, useful for charging laptops or phones.
- Etiquette: Keep voice volume low when talking on the train, especially during livestreams or calls, to respect other passengers.
- Connectivity: Expect signal loss when passing through tunnels, particularly around the Mount Fuji area.
- Punctuality: The Shinkansen is famously on time; delays are rare.
Japanese Language & Culture Notes
- Ekiben (駅弁): A bento box sold at train stations or on trains. Often features local specialties (meibutsu) of the region.
- Anago (穴子): Conger eel, often served grilled or steamed with a sweet sauce, distinct from freshwater unagi.
- Hanpen (はんぺん): A type of kamaboko (fish cake). Kuro hanpen (black fish cake) is a specialty of Shizuoka.
- Shinkansen (新幹線): Japan's high-speed railway network. Known for speed, comfort, and precision.
- Meibutsu (名物): Local specialty products. The bento features items from various regions along the Tokaido line.
- Train Etiquette: While complete silence isn't required, passengers generally speak quietly to maintain a peaceful environment.
Food & Drink Guide
- Tokaido Shinkansen Bento (1,000 yen): A composite bento featuring regional items.
- 00:01:32 Fried Rice: Contains shellfish.
- 00:01:32 Anago (Conger Eel): Served on rice, noted for tenderness and sauce.
- 00:01:32 Ebi Fry (Fried Shrimp): Located on the left side.
- 00:01:32 Kuro Hanpen (Black Fish Cake): A Shizuoka specialty.
- 00:04:00 Vegetables: Includes red pepper and kabocha (pumpkin).
- 00:04:00 Octopus Tentacles: Baby octopus in sauce, described as chewy.
- 00:04:00 Croquette: Deep fried with sauce, likely chicken or pork.
People
- John Daub: Host and creator of Only in Japan Go. He narrates the experience, eats the bento, and shares travel plans.
- Kevin: A fellow creator and friend of John. John plans to meet him in Osaka and Kyoto for filming collaborations.
Key Takeaways
- The Tokaido Shinkansen offers high-quality bento boxes that showcase regional ingredients from along the route.
- A 1,000 yen bento provides excellent value, including multiple protein options and sides.
- Planning your seat location is crucial if you want to see Mount Fuji during the journey.
- The Shinkansen is a productive environment for travelers, with power outlets and reliable schedules.
Notable Quotes
- 00:00:00 "This is a bento that you can only get on the Shinkansen."
- 00:00:40 "It comes with a map of the Tokaido Shinkansen which is between Tokyo, right here. It goes past Nagoya to Osaka."
- 00:02:20 "The reason why I'm talking lightly is because I don't want to be rude to the other passengers."
- 00:04:00 "This is a bargain for a thousand yen."
- 00:10:40 "If you ride the Shinkansen, you want to sit on the right side. It's where the two seats are."
- 00:12:09 "I've never been on the Shinkansen that was late."
Related Topics
- Ekiben culture in Japan
- Tokaido Shinkansen route guide
- Mount Fuji viewing spots
- Working remotely while traveling in Japan
- Japanese train etiquette
Search Tags
#only-in-japan-go #tokyo #travel #shinkansen #bento #ekiben #train-food #mount-fuji #osaka #kyoto #japan-travel #food-review #john-daub #tokaido-line #japanese-food
Full Transcript
00:00:00 John Daub: Hello everybody, I'm on the Shinkansen and today I'm going to Osaka but I got this. This is a bento that you can only get on the Shinkansen. So we're gonna unbox this together and see how it is. Cost me 1,000 yen. Ladies and gentlemen, your canteen. This is a Shinkansen bento. I'm so hungry.
00:00:40 John Daub: We'll be stopping at Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya. Tokaido Shinkansen Bento. Oh yeah. This is so cool. It comes with a map of the Tokaido Shinkansen which is between Tokyo, right here. It goes past Nagoya to Osaka. Oh, it's on the inside of the lid too. Very cool. And it tells you where to go. It tells you what's rice, meishi rice, anago (conger eel), black hanpen (fish cake), ebi fry (fried shrimp).
00:01:32 John Daub: Chopsticks come with the bento. Very nice. Alright, this cost about $10. You have the fried rice on the left, the anago, which should be in the middle. Okay, there's some egg. Some daikon radish pickles. There's the fried shrimp on there. Some vegetables on the left. Very nice. And oh, that's that thing. Oh, hanpen. Black hanpen. And this is from Shizuoka.
00:02:20 John Daub: We're really starting to speed up. And the reason why I'm talking lightly is because I don't want to be rude to the other passengers. But also because I want to get this done really fast because as soon as we pass Yokohama, we start going through tunnels when we get around Mount Fuji. And I gotta eat this fast. So here you go. This is rice. And this rice has shellfish in it. Very good. Next, we're gonna try this fried shrimp. Oh my gosh, this looks so good.
00:04:00 John Daub: I like the vegetables. Red pepper. Kabocha (pumpkin). Whoa. This looks like a croquette. Deep fried with sauce on it. I think it's chicken or pork. That's not potato. Very good. This is a bargain for a thousand yen. Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water. The octopus tentacles come out and drag you back in. So these are baby octopus tentacles. Chewy. The sauce makes it really good.
00:05:39 John Daub: So we're going through some tunnels, so you might lose this thing a little bit. This is the anago, or eel, on rice. I love eel because it's so tender. Slight fishy tenderness and the sauce is so good. That was good. That was the kuro hanpen (black fish cake). Kuro hanpen was good.
00:06:45 John Daub: That was a really good meal. I'm on my way to Osaka to see Kevin. I'm gonna be stopping in Kyoto as well to film there. I'll probably be in Osaka around 2 o'clock. I'll meet up with Kevin to shoot for the Only in Japan main channel. If we have some time, we're gonna do some livestreams, so definitely stay tuned for a fun day. And tomorrow we'll be in Kyoto and definitely be doing a livestream there with Kevin. I have not seen Kevin in a long time, so it's gonna be really cool to hook up with him again and show something outside of Tokyo for a while.
00:07:36 John Daub: But yeah, there's gonna be a show on the main channel as soon as I finish editing it. I actually have my computer here, and after I finish this lunch I'm gonna try to edit it and get it online as fast as possible. There's actually an outlet on the Shinkansen that you can plug in. See there it is. This is Shin-Yokohama, and it looks like I'm gonna get somebody sitting next to me. That's all I wanted to talk to you about. Just share a little bit of my lunch with you. This is a pretty good bento for ¥1000. I did not have time to stop and get a bento at the station. Usually I buy it before I get on the train. So I bought it from the lady who had like 5 different options. This was one of them, so I thought it was something cool. They've taken all the food from places along the Shinkansen line, and they put it in one bento. And that's pretty cool.
00:08:41 John Daub: So the train looks like it's gonna get pretty crowded. So I'm gonna have to turn off the camera just to be polite to the other passengers. But thank you very much for joining me on this livestream. The last minute I'm gonna turn the camera around and show you as we take off. This is Shin-Yokohama Station. And we are outside the center of Yokohama. But you can see there's not really too much out here. I did get a neighbor. Is that the Waz? Why is Waz from Apple on a poster? Very weird. You can talk lightly on the train. It's not like you have to be completely silent.
00:09:54 John Daub: I'm reading some of the questions here. If you have any questions about Shinkansen travel, you can ask me while we're stopped. Oh, and everything's in English. Which is really cool. This train goes all the way down to Hiroshima. All the way down to Fukuoka. And it's gonna be ending this livestream in about 30 seconds. But I thought I would share with you my bento. Which is kind of fun. And the experience of being on the Shinkansen live. Because it is different when you're live on the air.
00:10:40 John Daub: In about 30 minutes I'll be able to see Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji is on the right side. If you ride the Shinkansen, you want to sit on the right side. It's where the two seats are. I'm in the row with the three seats because I had to run to get onto the Shinkansen in time. And I made it. I got my bento on board. And they have usually five options of bento. And this one's called the Tokaido Shinkansen bento. Which is really good. It's good for a thousand yen. I do have some water. And an outlet for my computer so I'll be editing. And we are moving. Starting to pick up speed.
00:11:14 John Daub: And as we go through the tunnels, I'm gonna have to say goodbye. Yeah, it's about nine dollars for a thousand yen. And I'm going to Osaka and Kyoto for a couple of days to film with Kevin. And make some shows for the main channel. Oh, we're starting to pick up speed. You can feel the acceleration. And as soon as we lose the signal, I'm gonna have to cut off, guys. This is what it feels like to be on the Shinkansen.
00:12:09 John Daub: Right now she's telling us the times that we're gonna arrive at each station. We're on schedule. I've never been on the Shinkansen that was late. And it's right after Shin-Yokohama where I am now where we start to go through a lot of tunnels. So there's no way I'll be able to show it to you. But if I do get a clear view of Mount Fuji, which is doubtful because we have a very cloudy day, then I might go back live on Instagram and show you. Bye, everybody. Because I think we're going through the tunnels now. The signal's gonna get really bad.