JR East will hold “Ekiben Aji no Jin 2023” from October 1 to November 30.
This is an annual event held since 2012, where ekiben are evaluated and awarded prizes such as “Ekiben Daishogun” by voting through the website. This year, entries from outside of eastern Japan are being accepted, and a total of 59 ekiben from as far north as Hokkaido and as far south as Kagoshima are eligible for voting. After voting, visitors can enter a special form to receive a present, and a total of 150 people will be selected by drawing to win traditional Tohoku crafts, JRE POINTs, and other prizes.
In addition, ekiben will be sold at stations in JR East’s service area, including ekiben from outside the East Japan area at the “Ekiben-ya Matsuri Grandsta Tokyo Store”. Some of the ekiben entered in the event will be available for purchase at “Net de Ekinaka”, where visitors can make advance reservations for ekiben products.
In addition, the JR Group’s digital station stamping application “TRAIN TRIP” will add stamps on October 3 for stations selling ekiben that have received the “Ekiben Daishogun” award in the past (except for 2020, when production was discontinued). Stamps depicting the contents of the lunchboxes will be available.
© Source travel watch