Kyaraben, short for “character bento”, are insanely popular in Asia and Japan in particular. Young mothers, and some fathers too no doubt, spend hours crafting special lunch boxes, using all manner of foodstuffs to create shapes, faces and designs, and there are even entire books and monthly magazines containing hundreds of ideas. Over the years, we’ve seen lunch boxes based everything from Nivea hand cream to video game smash Metal Gear Solid, but it’s easy to forget that the practice of dressing up a packed lunch has, in fact, been around for quite some time.
Shared via Twitter earlier this week by a user named Clicohibi, these kyaraben were apparently made and photographed some 10 years ago, proving not only that the concept has existed for quite some time but that it wasn’t always lunches based on popular characters that were all the rage.
The first photo sees a selection of cucumber sushi rolls, known as kappamaki, with a goblin-like creature sitting in the middle of one. In Japanese folklore, Kappa are spirits that take the form of a child-sized entity and dwell in or near rivers. Although often mischievous and in ancient times often blamed for drownings, these spirits are thought to occasionally befriend humans, particularly if they share food with them.
As you may already have guessed, Kappa are said to be especially fond of cucumbers, so it’s fitting that the creator of this little lunch set has taken the idea of kappamaki to the extreme and crafted a miniature river spirit popping his head out from the middle of one of the rice rolls.
▼ The quality of the photo leads us to believe that this really was taken 10 years ago. Thank you, modern smartphones for your high megapixel cameras!
The second photo offered up by the same Twitter user shows what appears to be an elaborate bento based on kids’ TV series Nihon Mukashibanashi, which ran for almost 20 years, beginning in 1975.
▼ Isn’t he a little cutie? It’s easy to forget that this is lunch, sometimes!
It just goes to show: the subject matter may change as quickly as the four seasons Japanese people keep banging on about having, but when it comes to creativity with food, it’s been around for aeons.
Source: Togech JP
Japanese dad turns daughter’s illustration into her bento lunch
Kyaraben roundup! We take a look back at 2014’s best packed lunches 【Pics】
We tried all seven of Muji’s new “Bento of the Day” boxed lunch sets
Malaysian food artist Samantha Lee serves up more platefuls of amazeballs
From plums to panties, the strange and beautiful bento of Keisuke Umeda【Photos】
Entry to Tokyo’s Pokémon theme park zone has physical fitness requirement, will cost a lot
Tokyo Station’s ultra-rare cakes look, and taste, like a cup of coffee
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Does the maxixe live up to its promise of being a whole new flavor for our Japanese reporter?
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese department store rooftop is a secret oasis where you can escape the crowds in Tokyo
Japan’s famous Suica Penguin JR train pass card mascot is “graduating”/being laid off
Meet the eerie police statues of Miyakojima in Okinawa Prefecture
Japan’s plus-sized idol singer group releases new video about the joys of eating【Video】
Studio Ghibli unveils new fluffy purses from films like My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
One of the busiest stations in Tokyo is changing the name on its signs, but not necessarily to make it easier for people to find their way around.
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Never forget that Mister Donut’s super-simple ramen is actually very hard to beat
Tokyo all-you-can-eat senbei deal is perfect for newbies to the world of beloved Japanese snacks
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Kyoto’s Nishiki Market has great bento boxed lunches, and here are our top 3 picks
If you thought Japanese lunches couldn’t get any cuter, you were wrong
Japanese dad turns daughter’s drawings into her bento lunches
16 fancy eggs from Japanese bento lunch boxes
This is what a 8,500-yen (US$76) Tokyo bento beef boxed lunch looks like【Taste test】
Lunch Exchange: We Taste Test Japanese “Station Bentos” from New York’s Grand Central Station
Japanese freight container bento satisfies our hunger for unusual lunches
The Mother of all Bentos–a Japanese meal that’s to die for
Japanese mom wows us with her ‘eggstraordinary’ food art
Cute ekiben station bento looks like it’s from Japan but it’s from a different place entirely
Tokaido Shinkansen Sushi Journey Bento takes your taste buds on a trip from Tokyo to Osaka
This gigantic panda bento from Tokyo’s Kitchen Dive is deviously generous (and freaky-looking)
Studio Ghibli meals from the world of Japanese anime look absolutely delicious in real-life【Pics】
Leave a Reply