Last year, I visited the workshop of Shibata Yoshinobu Shoten, one of the most renowned makers of magewappa (bent wood) bento boxes and other items in Japan. Here, finally, is my report.

In April, I had the opportunity to pay a visit to one of my favorite Japanese bento box makers, Hakoya. Here's my report, with lots of eye candy for bento box lovers!

All you really need is one bento box....

Now that bentos are becoming more and more popular outside of Japan, the question arises:

What do you call someone who makes bentos?

As part of my ongoing (irregular) series reporting on storebought bentos in Japan and elsewhere, here are a couple of gorgeous bentos bought and consumed in the historic town of Kamakura.

A manga series in which bentos play a pivotal role. And a question - have bentos or packed lunches affected your relationships?