Read this article to learn a little bit about Hanami, bento, and how to make your own Hanami bento box to enjoy in the sunshine.
It’s a lot easier than you think, so give it a try – you won’t regret it.
What Is Bento?
Bento is essentially a single serving of a packed meal. You can think of it like a packed lunch box, except it is ten times better. A bento box is ready to be unpacked and enjoyed wherever you choose, but picnics are a popular option.
These boxes are typically made up of a set of specific foods: rice or noodles; a protein (or two) like meat, eggs, or fish; cooked or pickled vegetables; and some fruit.
This combination ensures that the individual still gets a balanced meal when they aren’t home.
However, bento boxes have evolved over the years, and have been influenced by the Western world, too. While many still have all the traditional foods, you might find other foods, too.
These include things like sandwiches, salads, fried potatoes, yogurts, and even desserts.
A bento box will always be neatly packed, with separate compartments for all the different foods. Some boxes are deep, with multiple layers to fit all the delicious food in, too! It’s a magical experience.
Types Of Bento
There are multiple types of bento for people to enjoy, and they all look completely different. These different styles will appeal to different populations, but they are all delicious and unique, so be sure to try one of each at least once!
Below is are the four bento styles to try out:
Aisai Bento – this form of bento is typically made with sweet foods, and contains sentimental messages. There may be specially made delights hidden inside these boxes, and are usually given by lovers and couples, but also parents to their children.
Kyaraben – this translates roughly to “character bento”. This style is adorable, and will typically be inspired from characters and other cute things. You are likely to find bento boxes with food in the shape of Hello Kitty, Pikachu, and many of the world’s other favorites!
Shikaeshiben – this bento style is the opposite of aisai bento. It usually contains scenes you would expect to see around Halloween! With monster faces made of rice, and sausages cut to look like gory fingers.
Oekakiben –finally, this is the most familiar bento style. It depicts flowers, monuments, buildings, and other areas of the landscape. The food is placed in the box to create a scene of its own, so it’s a lot more than just food, even though it is delicious, too.
A Little Bit About Hanami
Hanami is the Japanese tradition of flower viewing in the early spring. Early in the year, the cherry and plum blossoms around Japan draw people from all over the country to all the most popular spots.
Even visitors from all around the world visit Japan during this time to see the wonderful flowers and experience it.
During this time, visitors will take to the parks and riversides to spend time among the flowers. Picnics are popular, and allow friends and family to enjoy the outdoors while still having all of their favorite food.
While there are lots of foods that are popular around this time of year, one of them really stands out – Hanami bento.
What Makes Hanami Bento Different from Regular Bento?
There isn’t a huge difference between Hanami bento and regular bento. However, because Hanami takes place in the spring, these bento boxes are typically full of seasonal treats.
They will also be made using warm colors to symbolize the approaching summer.
You are likely to find an assortment of seasonal vegetables and fish in these boxes, but there are no hard and fast rules to follow!
Can You Buy Hanami Bento?
Yes! You can purchase Hanami bento in many locations around Japan when the celebrations begin.
There are likely to be Hanami bento boxes available for purchase in the markets near the cherry blossoms. Prices vary, but you can expect to spend around 4,500 yen for a 36-piece box in some places.
If you want to pick up Hanami bento, you can head to the local convenience store, or konbini, like Lawsons, Family Part, or 7-Eleven. There should be a great selection available for you to pick from and enjoy.
Making Your Own Hanami Bento
You can always make your own Hanami bento too, if you like! This will allow you to personalize the bento box and will it with all of your favorite things. We will go through how to do this in the sections below, so take notes!
Step 1 – Pick your Bento Box Style!
The first thing you are going to have to do is pick which style of bento you would like to make. We went through the options above, so pick your favorite!
Oekakiben would be a great fit for Hanami as it’s usually full of vibrant colors and patterns (learn more about Hanami manners here). You can make it as cute as you like, and draw inspiration from pop culture.
Step 2 – Pick Your Favorite Foods!
Now you need to pick what food you’re going to want. Choose between rice, noodles, or even a sandwich if you feel like it. Rice is a great option, because you can make delicious onigiri or rice balls to go with the dish.
Add in some of your favorite vegetables that will keep for a few hours, and fruit. Food like sushi will work wonderfully too.
Step 3 – Time to Start Making!
Simply assemble your food like a pro! You don’t actually need to be a professional to do this, because making the food is half the fun. Work with your family or friends to make the onigiri and sushi, and everything else you feel like enjoying on the day.
You can begin preparing all the food the day before the event. However, if you are having fresh fruit, you should definitely wait until the day of. Fruit will go off much faster, so prepare it at the last possible moment!
Step 4 – Piece Everything Together!
If you want to make a beautiful spring scene with your food, you will need to carefully piece everything together. Place your food in a pattern or order to get your desired look.
If you aren’t focusing on a pattern or design, then simply place the food in individual compartments to keep the flavors separated.
You don’t need to do anything fancy for this, just follow your heart.
Step 5 – Enjoy a Picnic!
Once everything is packed in your bento box, it’s time to walk out the door. Just remember to add in the fruit if you haven’t already, and you’re good to go! Pack some chopsticks, sit in the sun, and enjoy your meal with the people you love.
Other Popular Foods Eaten Around Hanami
Bento boxes aren’t the only popular food around Hanami! You are also likely to see the following dishes being sold at markets and vendors in the spring:
Hanami Dango
Sakura Mochi
Chirashi Sushi
Cherry Blossom Cookies
Temari Sushi
Cherry Blossom Madeleines
Sushi Cake
Cherry Blossom Milk Pudding
Inari Sushi
Cherry Blossom Rice Balls
Futomaki
Watch and Warabi Mochi
Final Thoughts
Bento boxes are a great option for celebrations like Hanami. They keep your food fresh and sealed, and ready to enjoy outside with your friends.
If you don’t have the time to make your own bento box, don’t worry – vendors will be selling them near the Hanami celebrations anyway!
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
