That, of course, changed too. It became popular to wear bento boxes around the waist containing onigiri (rice balls), known as koshi-bento. Slightly more substantial boxes also appeared ...

Known for its myriad of fun, interesting and sometimes weird flavors, this is the perfect treat to finish off your onigiri bento box. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter.

Starting on Jan. 27, the prices of onigiri rice balls at the stores will jump by up to 28 yen (18 cents), while the cost of bento lunch boxes and sushi will rise by as much as 60 yen beginning on ...