JR Hokkaido's closest to Nagaizumi Station. It is a shop that sells Nagaizumi's specialty crab rice bento, located about a 3-minute walk from the station. It seems that it used to be sold at Nagaizumi Station, but currently, the shop has been removed from the station, so you have to go to this store to buy it. It's cold! The cold rain is drizzling, and if your body gets wet, you feel even colder. By the way, "Nagaizumi's Water Pillar" seems to have calmed down, and there is no point in going to see it. I don't care about that - I want the crab rice bento from Nagaizumi! I definitely want to try it at least once! The long-awaited Nagaizumi crab rice bento. I wonder if they have it... I wonder if they still have it... They have it! It wasn't sold out yet!! It's 2:00 PM. This trip... might be going well! I bought it at the shop and enjoyed the bento in the adjacent "free seat," which is a seat that resembles the inside of a former limited express train. I have 54 minutes until I transfer to the Muroran Main Line Limited Express Hokuto 13 bound for Sapporo. Plenty of time. ● Kaniyaka Crab Rice Bento ● The flaked crab meat, marinated in seasoning, is delicious when eaten with rice... it's a feeling of ecstasy that words can't describe. The tender texture of the crab meat is really good! The side dishes, or rather, the three types of pickles, include pickled cherry radish, mandarin orange, and what was the black one? I forgot. I forgot if it was the kelp stew. Exclusive free seating! No one else is there (everyone is buying and quickly returning to the station). Enjoying the crab rice bento in the free seating area while watching an old DV alone was a great memory. I would love to visit again if possible! It was delicious!

"When passing through Nagaoka on the down road, I always stop by 'Kanaya' for crab rice. When it comes to 'Kanimeshi,' it has to be in bento style. This time, I bought it from the store and enjoyed it in the free resting area on the premises. The free resting area uses seats from trains that were actually used between Hakodate and Aomori, which is a real treat for train enthusiasts. The large LCD TV shows scenery taken from inside the train, allowing you to relax and enjoy the bento comfortably. 'Kanaya's Kanimeshi for 1,250 yen' has a familiar visual that hasn't changed for years. The shredded crab meat is sautéed, giving it a crispy texture and concentrating the delicious crab flavor. The slightly strong taste of shiitake mushrooms and shredded egg add to the dish. The shop's original seaweed tsukudani also does a great job. For dessert, a traditional syrupy mandarin orange provides a refreshing finish, and I enjoyed it completely! The bento from this long-established shop is always of high quality no matter when you eat it! While it has become easier to eat from major supermarkets, department stores, and online, nothing beats the taste of a freshly made, warm bento. Once again, I was completely satisfied with the taste that did not disappoint. Delicious meal! ==========="

In the past, train travel was the main mode of transportation. Hokkaido also had many limited express and express trains, as well as plenty of dining cars and station bento boxes. Eating a bento box on the train was a special experience, especially with a pack of tea. This time, I ate it at a hotel after already being full, but it was still delicious. There are many crab rice dishes across the country, but I think there are few that are seasoned like this. Some people may have their preferences, but I still think this bento box ranks high as a Hokkaido station bento. I want to eat it again.

A famous station bento shop. Forty years ago, when I first passed through Otaru, I was a poor student and couldn't afford to eat there. This time, instead of bento, I visited the shop itself. They mentioned that they are currently using a different type of crab as they cannot get hairy crabs. Please continue to uphold the traditional flavors for many years to come.

I'm on a 10-day camping trip in Hokkaido. Today, I'm staying in Hakodate before taking the ferry to Honshu the day after tomorrow. On my way to the hotel, I stopped by this place for lunch. It's a dining area attached to a factory that makes the famous crab bento boxes. You can enjoy freshly made warm crab bento boxes here, which is a unique experience. The cold bento boxes are also available, but having a warm one on-site is special. Many tourists, including bikers, come in. The taste is decent, nothing extraordinary. You wouldn't go all the way to Numahama just for this taste, but if you're nearby, having a warm crab bento box is a rare treat.

When it comes to Kanimeshi, I always have the image of Kanaya, so whenever I transfer in Oshamanbe, I reflexively buy it. I used to be able to get it in front of Sapporo Station, so I was a bit careless, but I haven't seen it recently. Whenever I eat it, it's consistently delicious. The sweet crab-flavored flakes mixed with rice make me feel very happy! It can be saved for later and eaten, and of course, it can be brought into the car and eaten right away, which is a great point.

Wakinosawa is famous for its crab rice, so I decided to try it out. When I entered the restaurant, there was a counter with the menu posted. The options were: Crab Rice - 1180 yen, Salmon Rice - 1080 yen, and Crab Rice (serves 3) - 3240 yen. The Salmon Rice was sold out as it was limited to 10 servings. I ordered the Crab Rice for 1180 yen. Since it was a bento, it was quickly served as they had it prepared in advance. The bento was not too heavy and was around 20cm x 11cm x 3cm in size. When I opened the lid, I saw rice topped with sweetened crab and daikon, simmered shiitake mushrooms, green peas, and a small pickled plum in the middle. On the side, there were pickled daikon, canned mandarin oranges, and hijiki seaweed. The bento was a bit cold and had a slightly dry texture with a hint of crab flavor. The rice was a bit firm and the seasoning was a bit strong. Overall, I could taste a bit of crab flavor, but the slightly dry texture was a bit disappointing, probably due to it being pre-made. Thank you for the meal.

When in Oshamanbe, if you're looking for crab rice, you must try the crab rice at "Nakaya"! The restaurant is conveniently located near the station, making it easy to access. You can enjoy your crab rice in a rest area that is designed like a train car, adding to the unique experience. The owner takes pride in their food, and you can taste the difference in every bite. The bento boxes are especially delicious, with a rich flavor of crab essence. I'm thinking of trying the crab fried rice next time I visit. Perfect for train enthusiasts!

It's been so long, I can't remember how many years it has been. I think the last time I had a station bento was when it was still being sold as a station bento. At that time, there was still loading onto express trains at Nagamambe, so I could eat it on the train. The eat-in space here uses real seats that were used on trains in the past, creating a nostalgic train-like atmosphere. There are no tables, but that's okay because it's a station bento. Eating on your lap is fine. Honestly, I'm not a big fan of crab rice. The crab that has become crumbled is not very crab-like, and it feels like it's lacking in crab flavor. I'm not sure if there has been a model change since the Showa era, but this definitely feels like a Showa-era relic. The canned mandarin oranges have a similarity to the apricot in the delicious bento from Yokohama, but it also has a Showa vibe. Thank you for the meal. The station bento style is a cultural tradition. As long as the railway exists, I hope station bentos will continue. Even if there is no longer onboard sales or hand sales on the platform, I hope station bentos will remain, even if they are a bit more expensive. Station bentos forever.

Around 9 o'clock on Sunday, on the way to Donan, I stopped in Chonanbetsu town and bought a snack at a convenience store. But I still felt like eating something more, and then I found this restaurant open! I bought a bento box and enjoyed it in the adjacent eat-in area called "Jiyuseki" (free seat)! I had the "Kanaya's Kanimeshi" (1180 yen), a delicious dish that has been loved since 1950s. It brings out the crispy aroma of stir-fried crab and condenses the essence of crab into a flavorful taste. It was topped with plenty of crab meat! I'm not familiar with crab varieties, but since it's crab, I assume it's delicious and enjoy it. The front monitor at "Jiyuseki" displays images taken by the owner himself, with good taste and background music. It was fun! Outside the store, there was a vending machine selling frozen crab rice. The crab fried rice also looked delicious! I'll try it next time! Thank you, Kanaya!

The specialty dish at Kanaya in Otaru is the "Kanimeshi" (¥1180), which can be enjoyed in the adjacent "free seating" area after purchasing it. The seating arrangement, removed from vintage train cars, has been reconfigured to provide a spacious and comfortable layout. You can use the small table that can be pulled out from the armrest. While watching tourist attractions in Otaru on the large monitor in front, you can savor the atmosphere. Amidst the constant flow of customers coming and going, you find your seat. You quickly open the bento box... and as expected, there's a shiitake mushroom stuck to the lid. You chuckle and remove it before digging in. The warm temperature of the freshly made meal adds to its charm. The soft rice absorbs the delicious flavor of the scattered hair crab meat. Even when it cools down, it remains tasty, a thoughtful touch. The side dishes of pickles, tsukudani, and mandarin oranges are also indispensable supporting roles. This specialty dish is not something you just buy on a whim, but a dish you aim to eat. The taste has been faithfully passed down since the opening, not disappointing. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

It's been about 20 years since I last had the delicious crab meat rice bowl. The flaked crab meat is plentiful and just the right amount of saltiness makes the rice go down smoothly. I hope this taste will continue for a long time. When I realized it, the Kaniya Drive-In was closed. The station-front store had a train-themed room where you could eat inside, but I only took a photo and actually ate in a real train.

When you go to Hakodate, there's a place you'll want to stop by, or rather, something you'll want to eat. That's "Kanaya's Crab Rice." When I went there after a long time, there was a free space right next to the store. So, I decided to eat here. Inside, it's made to look like you're on a train. It feels like eating a train bento inside a train, it's really atmospheric. The monitor in front shows actual scenery from the train, making it even more atmospheric. "Crab Rice" is filled with crab flakes to the point where you can't see the rice. This crab mixture looks simple at first, but it goes really well with the rice! There's also sweetened mushrooms on top. It's like they really want you to eat a lot of rice! There are also green peas, shredded egg, and pickled plum for a nice touch of color. The three-piece set on the right is also delicious. The simmered dish in the front is also tasty. "Salmon Rice" is something I'm trying for the first time! It's like a teriyaki salmon? Not exactly grilled, but fried and marinated in a sweet and savory sauce. This is definitely another dish that will make you eat lots of rice! The crab mixture looks the same as "Crab Rice," but it's actually salmon. The cooking method is the same as "Crab Rice." So, it's guaranteed to be delicious. Train bentos are always tasty even when cold, right? What kind of magic is that? There is also a vending machine next to the store. So, now you can buy this bento 24 hours a day. How convenient!

You can enjoy the famous "kani-meshi" (crab rice) in a set meal at this restaurant. Having it as a set meal adds a special touch and increases satisfaction. It comes with miso soup and a generous portion of rice, so you will leave feeling full. They also offer a special large portion for those with bigger appetites. Next door, you can purchase the kani-meshi as a bento box. Surprisingly, there is even a vending machine outside selling frozen bento boxes! When you visit Nagamambe, be sure to check it out.

JR Hokkaido's JR Oshamanbe Station serves as a transfer hub for local trains. There is a popular station bento shop called "Ekiben Kanaya" in front of the station. The sign reads "Ekiben Kanimeshi Honpo" prominently, as crab rice is the specialty here. In addition to crab rice, scallop rice and salmon rice are also available, as well as a dish called crab fried rice. You can also purchase these from a vending machine next to the shop! The reviewer tried the crab rice, salmon rice, scallop rice, and crab fried rice. The crab rice was a must-try, but the amount of crab was a bit disappointing. The salmon rice was decent but didn't stand out much. The scallop rice was surprisingly good, with a nice flavor of scallops in the rice. However, the crab fried rice was a big disappointment, with tough crab meat and a mediocre taste. Overall, the reviewer rated the taste 2.4, service 1.9, atmosphere 3.3, cost performance 2.2 (average), and overall 2.5, which is considered average.

I arrived at around 9am, so the bento was very warm and tasted better than usual. They sell bento boxes at supermarkets during train bento fairs, but sometimes the rice is hard and not very good. Eating it in its original place makes a difference.

Day 2 of the train journey: Now in Oshamambe. I decided to buy some souvenirs since I came all the way to Oshamambe. So, I went to "Kanibento Kanaya" shop. It's famous for its crab rice dish. By the way, I heard they also sell bento boxes at the Seven-Eleven in Oshamambe. Seven-Eleven! Oshamambe! Bento! Just kidding! (laughs) Anyway, I decided to buy the special seasoned fish roe that comes with the crab rice bento. It's called "Kanaya's special seasoned fish roe - Oshamanbe Monogatari (bottled)" for 756 yen (tax included). The vacuum-packed version is 540 yen (tax included), but I chose the bottled one for the extra charm. Now, time to taste it! It has a strong scent of the sea. But don't worry, it's not a new family member of the Sazae-san family! (laughs) It goes really well with rice. I'm glad I bought it. Total travel time: 4 hours 33 minutes, total distance: 321.2 km, total fare: 12,240 yen.

"When you think of Nagamambe, you can't miss the crab rice from Kanaya. It's always part of my routine to stop by here on the way back from Hakodate (*^^*) This time, I purchased it at the store and enjoyed it in the free rest area designed like a train carriage on the premises. The rest area uses seats from a train that was actually used between Hakodate and Aomori, which is a treat for train enthusiasts... The large LCD TV displays scenery taken from inside the train, allowing you to feel like you're on a journey, which is quite enjoyable~ Since it was a bit late for lunch, we had the place all to ourselves... Let's relax and enjoy the station bento at a leisurely pace~. The Kanaya crab rice for 1,180 yen has a familiar wooden box appearance. The rice is topped with plenty of shredded crab meat (@_@)!! The seasoning is just right, not too strong or too light. The crunchy texture of the bamboo shoots is pleasant and delicious! Although the seasoning is simple, the savory simmered shiitake mushrooms, shredded omelette, original seaweed tsukudani, pickled plum, and green peas all do a great job. For dessert, we had syrup-soaked mandarin oranges for a refreshing finish and enjoyed it all! The traditional bento box was of high quality! Recently, it has become more common to find these at major supermarkets like AEON and popular at Hokkaido product fairs, making it available almost anywhere. However, eating a freshly made one in its hometown of Nagamambe is truly special (*^^*) Truly a renowned station bento!! It didn't disappoint, and I was completely satisfied with the taste. Once again, thank you for the delicious meal!"

During a break from work, I went to a nearby large store to buy lunch. I spotted Kanaya-san's famous Kanimeshi at the bento corner and couldn't resist. It turned out to be a fantastic brunch. Unable to travel far due to the pandemic, I felt a bit lonely as I love Hokkaido. I savored the taste along with the fleeting feeling of traveling. Thank you for the delicious meal!

I said it was a drive, but Oshamambe is quite far, haha. But on a sunny day, I feel like going for a little drive. It was my first time having crab rice in a while. It was delicious! It also came with miso soup and pickles. I'd like to visit the main store next time!

I took a leisurely solo trip on the train, and on this day I made a stop at Oshamanbe. My goal was to try the famous "kani meshi" (crab rice) from Kanaya, which is said to be the original creator of this type of bento box. Although I had seen it at department store events before, I wanted to buy it from the main store someday. Oshamanbe is a very quiet town now, but back in the early Showa period, it was a bustling hub where the Hakodate Main Line and Muroran Main Line intersected, attracting many people. It was during this time that the idea of creating "kani meshi" bento boxes came about, so that people could enjoy the taste of crab all year round. I headed to the shop near the station and purchased the kani meshi. I could have eaten it in the train-themed free space inside the store, but I decided to explore the town while enjoying the view, and then hopped back on the train to Onuma Quasi-National Park. I enjoyed my meal on the grass there. When I opened the bento box, I was surprised by its plain appearance. This color comes from carefully frying the crab meat with bamboo shoots until all the moisture is gone. By taking the time to fry it, not only does the moisture evaporate, but the flavor of the crab becomes concentrated. As I took a bite, I found it to be subtly delicious. It's lightly seasoned, but the more you eat, the more you appreciate the flavor of the crab, making it hard to stop eating. It was a bento box with a subtle charm that many longtime fans appreciate.