Japan's Roadside Stations Serve Giant ‘Bomb’ Rice Balls as Convenience Stores Offer Family Meal Hacks

Roadside stations (michi no eki) across Japan have begun selling oversized rice balls called “bakudan onigiri.” One version in Naruto, Tokushima, is filled with wakame, sea bream, octopus and ikura and sells for ¥3,024, while a larger salmon‑ikura ball near New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido costs ¥3,240. The 22‑centimetre balls have gone viral, attracting more than seven million online views and highlighting the role of michi no eki as regional showcase sites for local foods.

A separate guide notes that Japanese convenience stores also cater to families travelling with children. Stores stock a range of ready‑to‑heat meals, from microwavable rice and noodles to salads and bentos, and their industrial‑strength microwaves can heat food quickly in short bursts. Parents are advised to use store microwaves or heat food back at their accommodation, offering cheap, fast options for late‑night arrivals or picky eaters.