Ekiben—boxed meals sold at railway stations—have enjoyed renewed popularity in recent years. Among them, Ueno’s Anagomeshi has earned an extraordinary reputation despite being available only in a limited area. It even took first place in an ekiben feature on the popular TBS program “Job Tune.”
The No. 1 Anagomeshi Ekiben
I first encountered this bento while working in Hiroshima City. Hiroshima is a treasure house of approachable local foods: momiji manju, soupless tantan noodles, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, oysters, Setouchi lemons, Onomichi ramen, and horumon tempura are only a few examples.
Even among all those specialties, local residents repeatedly recommended anagomeshi. I am originally from Hyogo, another place known for conger eel, and my mother loves it, so I initially wondered whether Hyogo’s version might still be better. This was before Ueno’s bento appeared on “Job Tune”; simple word of mouth led me to it.
At the time, it was sold only at the main shop near Miyajimaguchi Station—served by JR and Hiroshima’s streetcar system—and at a branch inside Hiroshima Mitsukoshi. The company did not participate in promotional fairs. Because I worked in the food industry, such exclusivity made me determined to try it.
When I reached the Mitsukoshi shop, I found a long line. Ueno’s Anagomeshi was one of the department store’s most popular counters, and it sold nothing but anagomeshi. Sizes included mini, small, regular, and deluxe, priced at ¥1,404, ¥1,728, ¥1,944, and ¥2,376 including tax at the time of this account.
What Ueno Anagomeshi Actually Tastes Like
“Almost ¥2,000 for one lunch—how can a bento cost that much?” I honestly thought. Yet Hiroshima residents praised it as being in a class of its own, so I took the plunge and bought a regular size.
Even though the box is disposable, it is a wooden folding box with an elegant, premium appearance. Opening the lid reveals enough slices of grilled conger eel to hide the rice completely—perhaps around fifteen pieces. The abundance is satisfying before the first bite.
Then I tasted it, and my reaction was immediate: this is genuinely delicious.
The eel was impressive, but the rice surprised me most. Anyone who often eats ekiben knows that cold, hardened rice can be their greatest weakness. Without a steaming system, it is difficult to avoid. In this bento, however, the rice remains plump and tender.
It is seasoned with the sauce used for the grilled eel. The sauce has a restrained sweetness that complements rather than overwhelms the fish. The conger eel itself is wonderfully soft, staying moist instead of becoming tough as it cools. The chopsticks keep moving almost on their own. Mild pickles on the side provide a pleasant pause between rich bites.
This meal taught me what it truly means for an ekiben to taste good even when cold. Many station bentos are valued mainly as part of the travel experience, and diners quietly compromise on flavor. Ueno’s Anagomeshi needs no such qualification: it is simply excellent food.
I later gave one to my mother, who normally does not care for boxed meals, and she ate it with complete enthusiasm.
I first tried Ueno’s Anagomeshi about five years before writing this account. Since then, the Mitsukoshi branch has added eat-in space, and the bento has occasionally appeared at department stores in Osaka and Tokyo. Those appearances are not widely announced, however, and word tends to spread quickly enough that stock sells out.
The most reliable way to buy it is still to visit Hiroshima. For travelers, the Miyajimaguchi main store is often more convenient than Mitsukoshi. If you are sightseeing on Miyajima, leave enough time before the ferry to stop at Ueno, or visit on the way back and take a box home as a souvenir.
The eel and rice remain soft even the next day, so the bento can still be enjoyed after the immediate journey. Ueno’s legendary Anagomeshi is one of Hiroshima’s finest edible souvenirs and an experience worth planning into a visit.
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Anagomeshi Product Info, Expiration Date, Manufacturer
| Product Name | Anagomeshi |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer / Seller | - |
| Address | 広島県廿日市市宮島口1-5-11 |
| Expiration Date | - |
| Place of Purchase | 広島三越もしくは宮島口本店のみ |
| Price | ￥1944(レギュラー)※1人前です |
