The only ekiben shop in Iwate! The only ekiben shop in Iwate [Bento Ichinoseki no Shougetsu-do (Saito Shougetsu-do)
- Iwate
- Eating
If it is a train trip, one of the pleasures is ekiben, right?
The taste of a boxed lunch, which you peel off the colorful wrapping paper and enjoy while gazing out the train window, is truly representative of an extraordinary experience!
Among such ekiben, we interviewed President Saito of Saito Shougetsu-do, the owner of Bento Ichinoseki no Shougetsu-do, a long-established ekiben shop representing Iwate, about its history, and also asked him to tell us about his current favorite bento.â
The History of Saito Shougetsudo - Part 1
Saito Shougetsu-do has been in business for 132 years (as of 2024)! (as of 2024) Saito Shougetsudo has a long history of working together with the railroads.
It is said that ekiben were first sold by a ryokan called Shiroki-ya when Utsunomiya Station opened in 1885.
Saito Shougetsu-do also opened a branch at the station three years after the opening of JR Ichinoseki Station in 1890 (Meiji 23), and initially began selling sweets, sundries, and soba noodles.
Although it is now a well-established ekiben shop, at that time it did not sell boxed lunches, and its soba noodles were very popular.
Perhaps because of its popularity, the branch was finally forced to close down when the Japanese National Railways decided to sell soba directly to the public. (*There are various theories about the sale of Soba.)
Then, they started a new business, Ekiben. It was around 1927 that they started selling ekiben. This story shows the hard work that went into making it to that point.
Time has passed and today's 2021 ...... is the 97th year of Saito Shougetsu-do's ekiben. Here are three popular bentos!
Recommended bento 1: Hiraizumi Sea Urchin Rice
This is a signature product that has been loved for 32 years since its launch in 1992, and has been renewed and re-released many times while focusing on the flavor and taste of sea urchin.
Ichinoseki Station is a busy station for tourists visiting the World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi, and travelers from not only Japan but from all over the world visit this station. The golden color of the sea urchin, which is reminiscent of the golden culture, is represented in this lunch box, making it perfect for travelers!
The moment you insert your chopsticks into the sea urchin, you will feel as excited as if you were a child again.
After filling your mouth with the sweetness of the sea urchin, a little nibble of wakame seaweed stem will refresh your taste buds and allow you to enjoy the sea urchin again.
On a Thai TV program...?
If you buy "Hiraizumi Uni-Gohan," be sure to take a look at the foreign language under the wrapping paper.
Take a closer look at ...... and you will see English, Chinese, and even a rare Thai word!
It all started when President Saito promised his Thai acquaintance that he would put Thai on the label. This is the reason why Thai was added before Chinese.
This became a hot topic in Thailand, and was featured on a Thai TV program, and famous Thai actors came to try Hiraizumi Uni-Gohan.
President Saito, who has responded to such inbound demand, said this was "the first ekiben in Japan to include the Thai language," and smiled proudly, "the first since the creation of the universe.
Recommended Bento 2: Morioka Jamen and Beef Rice Bento
Ekiben have become increasingly regional in recent years, but until now there has been no ekiben that symbolized Morioka. Morioka Jaja-men and Beef Meal Bento" was released at that time!
Morioka jaja-men is the soul food of Morioka citizens along with Morioka cold noodles. Many citizens must have felt happy whenever they saw Morioka jaja-men ekiben sold at the Shinkansen ticket gates.
It was President Saito's desire to carry Iwate on his shoulders that led him to develop this product.
He passionately states that because he is the only ekiben shop in Iwate, he is driven by a sense of mission to create an ekiben for Morioka as well.
Since the bento is heated, it can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere with the warmth of a freshly prepared meal!
When I finally put my mouth around the hot bento, I was filled with happiness as the sweet sauce entwined with the meat melted and spread on my tongue!
After mixing the jaja-men well, you can enjoy the noodles with the sweet miso sauce.
The aroma of the hot sauce tickles your nostrils, which stimulates your appetite even more.
Recommended Bento Box Lunch 3: Kinritsu Hamburger Steak and Aburi-yaki Beef Bento
This "Kinritsu Hamburger Steak and Beef Aburi-yaki Bento" is Saito Shougetsu-do's most popular bento, created in collaboration with "Monzaki Corporation" which operates "Ganoshin"!
This gorgeous nokkebento combines a golden-rated hamburger steak, which is tender and delicious even when cold, and beef aburi-yaki (beef stew), which Saito Shougetsu-do handmade to perfection for its flavor.
The hamburger steak is so tender that it is hard to believe it is cold! The hamburger steak is so tender that it is hard to believe it is cold! Not only that, but when you try it, you will be amazed at how the flavor of the meat spreads through your mouth as if it melts into your body heat.
The beef stew is also superb, with its sweet taste and the meat falling apart in your mouth, and when eaten with the hamburger steak, it turns into a rich sauce.
You can enjoy it at the same time or alternate between the two! You will surely forget about the view from the train window and devour the dish.
No wonder it is the most popular!
The History of Saito Shougetsu-do - Part 2
This was because the fashion at the time was to be able to eat the same food no matter where you went. President Saito says that they offered makunouchi bento in all regions.
Ekiben were not exactly the same in every region. People's enjoyment was not limited to the boxed meal.
Even though railroad transportation capacity had dramatically increased, the range of travel was much smaller and there was no television. That is why hanging paper depicting scenic spots was very popular!
Saito Shougetsu-do's hanging paper also depicted "Genbikei Gorge," "Geibikei Gorge," "Konjikido," etc., and was picked up by many travelers.
Some people who still keep the hanging paper from those days donate it to Saito Shougetsu-do. This episode shows that the wrapping paper is an important part of the ekiben.
Saito Shougetsu-do also started a lodging business three years before the opening. When the Hotel Sunroute Ichinoseki was built in front of the station, it was crowded with tourists even before the Shinkansen began operating. The business acumen of this forward-thinking man is admirable.
In front of JR Ichinoseki Station, a hotel has been built in the same location as before, renamed "Hotel Matsunokoru Ichinoseki". The hotel's restaurant "Red Brick" has remained unchanged since its construction, even with renovations, and it did not collapse even after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
The modern atmosphere of the restaurant will make you feel like you have stepped back in time.
President Saito says, "Ekiben is with the station.
As Saito Shougetsudo has witnessed the development and changes of the region and the railroads in front of JR Ichinoseki Station throughout its long history.
Saito Shougetsudo is now the only ekiben shop in Iwate Prefecture. With "Ichinoseki" and "Iwate" on its shoulders, Saito Shougetsu-do will continue to be by the side of travelers.
Summary
The soba noodle shop in the west exit station waiting room is operated by the amazing Saito Shougetsu-do!
There is something touching about seeing soba noodles and bento boxes side by side after several decades have passed.
Incidentally, the bento introduced here are also available at the Shinkansen ticket gate of JR Morioka Station! During busy periods, you can find "Morioka Jajamen and Beef Meal Bento" lined up on a wagon.
Also available at JR Sendai Station, JR Omiya Station, JR Ueno Station, JR Tokyo Station, and JR Shinjuku Station.
Saito Shougetsudo's bento are also entered in "Ekiben Aji no Jin 2024," a nationwide gathering of ekiben from all over Japan!
Please take this opportunity to eat and vote for your favorite!
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Location
2-37 Kamiotsukimachi, Ichinoseki, Iwate
Access
Right next to Ichinoseki Station
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
*All images are for reference only.
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