Ekiben and Ultraman!

In mid-January the family took a day trip to explore Kawagoe in Saitama. It's about 1.5 hours away by train from Tokyo Station. This post isn't really about Kawagoe, but the Ekiben shop (or Train Bento shop) that we passed in Tokyo Station. For those who haven't traveled in Japan before, it's typical to pick up a box lunch at the train station before heading out on a journey. Japan has a strong food culture that extends even to the ekiben.
Each region has it's own seasonal delicacies, and favorite foods and flavors. The ekiben highlights these regional and seasonal flavors. Often the dishes in the ekiben may only be available in certain regions. However, this shop in the heart of Tokyo Station seems to have collected many of the regional ekiben to a central distribution point. So if you can't travel across Japan to try them out, you can get a sample of here!
One of the more unusual ekiben was a JR East collaboration with Ultraman. As you may know from previous posts I've spotted Ultraman in several unexpected places.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf4.5, ISO 100, 1/40 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf4.5, ISO 100, 1/100 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf4.5, ISO 100, 1/50 sec.

What would you like to drink?

It seems that there too many beverage choices in Japan.

Here's something a little more mundane to start with... A strawberry flavored drink, sparkling ichigo.

If you are feeling a little like ultra, there is an Ultraman cola waiting for you.

If you are feeling a little like Godzilla today, perhaps you should drink something with a little Fire.

At many machines, you can pay with your Edy, PASMO or SUICA card.  Some you can even pay with you keitai (cellular phone). Just wave your phone or card in front of the pad.

 

How about a pharmaceutical beverage?

How about a picnic?

If you don't have much change, you may want to find one of these machines.  Perhaps you've spent all your change on parking?  This one is in front of a ¥600 an hour parking lot. 

Ultraman and Baikinman at Grinpa

It's funny where you'll find Ultraman or other Japanese characters.  The last time we saw him he was hiding a neighborhood garden.  Here his is in guarding the entrance to the area where all the rides are at Ginpa amusement park.
 

 

We also saw Baikinman (ばいきんまん) (Anpanman's nemesis) and other assorted Japanese characters in force.

Ultraman Garden

There's a small garden down the street from our house. It seems a little kitschy in a Japanese way.  Instead of a garden gnome you'll find Ultraman protecting the flowers, plants and pots.  Actually, there may be a dwarf or gnome hidden in grass in the lower right corner.