A collaboration between “Travel Guide to Hyogo” and Maneki Foods, a long-established company founded over 130 years ago! Introducing the “Traveling Bento” packed with the charms of Hyogo.
Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. Press release: September 1, 2025 To Members of the Press A collaboration between “Travel Guide to the World Hyogo” and Maneki Foods, a long-established company founded over 130 years ago! Introducing the “Traveling Bento,” packed with the charms of Hyogo. To coincide with the release of “Traveling Hyogo,” we’ve collaborated with Maneki Foods, a Himeji-based company known for its ekiben and ekisoba (train station bento). We’ve created a bento packed with the delicious flavors of Hyogo Prefecture, including seafood, mountain produce, meat, and vegetables. Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hiroaki Miyahara) and its group company, Chikyu no Arukikata Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kunihiro Arai), have announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (Make-up) with Maneki Foods. In
collaboration with Hyogo Prefecture-based brewery company (Hyogo Prefecture, Himeji, President and CEO: Noritaka Takeda), we have commercialized a bento box featuring plenty of ingredients from Hyogo Prefecture. It will be available for sale at the JR Himeji Station kiosk from Thursday, August 28, 2025, and at Tokyo Station’s “Ekiben-ya Matsuri” from Monday, September 1.
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long-established ekiben shop! Founded in 1888, Maneki Foods is a long-established company that created the original makunouchi ekiben (station bento). It’s also known for its “Maneki no Eki Soba,” a soul food beloved by the people of Himeji. At the ongoing Osaka-Kansai Expo, the company’s “Ultimate Eki Soba,” priced at 3,850 yen per bowl, has become a hot topic, drawing attention from across the country for the craftsmanship and playfulness of this long-established company. To commemorate the release of “Traveling the Earth: Hyogo,” we have collaborated with Maneki Foods. We’ve created a special bento packed with carefully selected ingredients from Hyogo Prefecture, showcasing the charms of local cuisine. The lineup includes Tajima beef simmered in a sweet and spicy sukiyaki-style sauce, Setouchi shiitake mushrooms grown by Miyama Farm in Aioi City for over 60 years, Awaji Island onions that retain their texture even when simmered, and grilled conger eel, a favorite of Hyogo residents. The rice is made with the dashi broth from Himeji Station’s specialty, Maneki no Eki Soba, creating a fragrant, original dashi rice. For added color, it’s garnished with carrots shaped like Himeji Castle, adding a touch of attention to detail. The dish’s commitment to a “Hyogo-esque” flavor shines through. The packaging features the cover design of “Traveling Around the World: Hyogo.” Featuring a view of Himeji Castle, sure to tickle your wanderlust, this special bento can be enjoyed as a travel companion alongside the guidebook.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8086/2535-8086-62a198371841d9c1af254fa4046aca12-2000×2494.jpg ▼Purchase at Himeji Station or Tokyo Station This bento box, a collaboration between “Travelling the World” and “Maneki Foods,” is packed with delicious Hyogo Prefecture delicacies and is available for 1,480 yen (tax included) at the JR Himeji Station shop or at “Ekiben-ya Matsuri” in Tokyo Station. *On sale at Tokyo Station’s “Ekiben-ya Matsuri” from September 1st to 30th. *Sales locations will be expanded to Shin-Kobe Station, Shin-Osaka Station, and more. ■Arukikata. Co., Ltd. https://www.arukikata.co.jp/company/ ・President and CEO: Kunihiro Arai ・Date of incorporation: December 1, 2020 (operations commenced January 1, 2021) ・Capital: 5 million yen ・Address: 2-11-8 Nishigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8416 ・Business activities: “Chikyu no Arukikata” publishing and related businesses, travel marketing, and non-life insurance agency business ■GAKKEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.) https://www.gakken.co.jp/ ・President and CEO: Miyahara Hiroaki ・Date of incorporation: March 31, 1947 ・Capital: 19,817 million yen ・Sales: 185.5 billion yen, 79 consolidated subsidiaries (fiscal year ending September 2024) Listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 9470) ・Address: 141-8510 2-11-8 Nishigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo ・Telephone: 03-6431-1001 (Main) ・Business Description: Holding company established in 1946, engaged in education, medical care, and welfare-related businesses. Education: Classroom and cram school operations, including “Gakken Classrooms,” Publishing and content operations, such as educational materials, Preschool and school operations, such as textbooks and childcare supplies, Medical and Welfare: Serviced housing for the elderly, Dementia group homes, Childcare support operations, such as nurseries and after-school programs, Global: Activities and operations in over 150 countries.
