[April 10 is Ekiben Day] Chiba's Long-Established Ekiben "Manyoken" Participates in the "Spring's Top Pick Ekiben" 2026 Campaign!

Manyoken (万葉軒), a long-established ekiben brand in Chiba Prefecture operated by Riei Life Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture; President and Representative Director: Daiki Kabasawa) of the Riei Group, will participate in the "Spring's Top Pick Ekiben" 2026 Campaign, hosted by the Japan Railway Station Concessionaires Association, from April 1 (Wednesday) to April 19 (Sunday), 2026. Manyoken's "Top Pick Ekiben" is the "Tonkatsu Nanohana Bento," which allows customers to enjoy two popular bentos that have been loved since the Showa era. During the campaign period, customers who purchase this product will receive a special common novelty item, a "Hashiyasume Card" (Chopstick Rest Card). For your spring outings and travels, please enjoy this bento packed with the charm of Chiba.

**[Charm of the Target Product: "Tonkatsu Nanohana Bento"]** The "Tonkatsu Nanohana Bento" is a delightful and somewhat indulgent combination bento that allows you to enjoy two flavors at once: the "Tonkatsu Bento" and the "Nanohana Bento," both long-loved at Manyoken. The "Tonkatsu Bento," born in the 1950s (Showa 30s), is a representative ekiben of Manyoken. Pork loin cutlets generously soaked in sauce cover the rice, and by adding extra sauce, the umami of the meat and the flavor of the sauce spread throughout your mouth. The rice soaked in sauce has a somewhat nostalgic taste. On the other hand, the "Nanohana Bento," launched in 1966 (Showa 41), is a vibrant and gentle-tasting bento inspired by the rape blossom fields, the prefectural flower of Chiba. The fluffy, slightly sweet scrambled eggs, reminiscent of rape blossoms, and the chicken soboro (minced chicken), evoking the earth, pair perfectly with rice. For a palate cleanser, it comes with clam tsukudani from the long-established tsukudani shop "Ikadayaki Honpo Masajo" and pickled rape blossoms, truly packing in the "Chiba-ness." In addition to the familiar sauces and side dishes from each bento, mustard is also included in response to customer requests. It's a satisfying "best of both worlds" ekiben that answers the call of "I want to eat both!"

**[About the "Spring's Top Pick Ekiben" Campaign]** In commemoration of Ekiben Day on April 10, 31 ekiben companies nationwide belonging to the Japan Railway Station Concessionaires Association (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Chairman Naofumi Nonami) will present a common novelty card to customers who purchase a "Spring's Top Pick Ekiben" during the campaign period. A diverse lineup, including familiar signature ekiben and spring-limited ekiben, will accompany everyone on their spring outings.

**◆ About "April 10 is Ekiben Day"** The character for "ben" in "bento" (弁) can be seen as a combination of four (四) and ten (十), and "to" in "bento" (当) can be read as ten (とう). Therefore, to ensure the continuation of ekiben culture, the Japan Railway Station Concessionaires Association established this day in 1993 (Heisei 5). Subsequently, on January 15, 2024, it was also registered as an anniversary certified by the Japan Anniversary Association.

**[Campaign Overview]** * **Campaign Name:** "April 10 is Ekiben Day" Commemorative Project "Spring's Top Pick Ekiben" 2026 Campaign * **Campaign Period:** Manyoken (万葉軒): April 1 (Wednesday) to April 19 (Sunday), 2026. *Dates vary by participating company. * **Eligible Product:** Manyoken Tonkatsu Nanohana Bento. Price: 1,111 yen (tax included). *Prices may fluctuate as they are market-based. * **Campaign Benefit:** One common novelty "Hashiyasume Card" will be presented for each eligible product purchased. *While supplies last. * **Sales Location:** Manyoken (万葉軒) Perie Chiba Ekinaka Store (3F) within JR Chiba Station. * For campaign details and information on other participating companies, please visit the website below: http://www.ekiben.or.jp/

**<About the Common Novelty "Hashiyasume Card">** Each eligible ekiben will come with one mini-story card related to ekiben culture. Four types of cards are available: "Kisha Dobin" (train teapot), "Origin of Ekiben," "Standing Vendor," and "Kakegami" (wrapping paper). Please enjoy them as a palate cleanser with your ekiben. (Types will be given out randomly.) *The number of cards is limited. The offer will end once supplies run out.

**[Company Profile]** **[About Manyoken (万葉軒)]** Founded in 1928 (Showa 3) in Kanamecho, near Chiba Station. It received approval from the Japanese National Railways for in-station stand sales and began manufacturing ekiben. Since 2013, Riei Co., Ltd. (now Riei Life Co., Ltd.) has inherited and operated its taste and tradition. As the Manyoken brand, it offers a wide range of food services, including ekiben sales, catered bentos, and catering. [Official URL] https://riei-manyoken.jp/

Awards JR East-sponsored event "Ekiben Aji no Jin" (Ekiben Taste Battle) * Tonkatsu Bento: Area Award 2 times (2018, 2019), Kakegami Award 3 times (2018, 2021, 2025) * Nanohana Bento: Sosorare Shogun (No. 1 in the "Want to Eat" category) (2020) * Jumbo Katsu Bento: Area Award (South Kanto category) (2022)

**[About Riei Life Co., Ltd.]** Riei Life Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Riei Co., Ltd. (formerly Riei Group Co., Ltd.). Following its spin-off in April 2026, it inherited the life service business from its predecessor, Riei Co., Ltd., founded in 1972. Leveraging its long-cultivated strength in "food" as its ancestral business, Riei Life is expanding its business domains centered on food, with "human warmth" at its core, including corporate welfare services such as dormitory and employee cafeteria management, and ekiben/bento sales under the "Manyoken" brand. [Location] Prime Tower Shin-Urayasu 14F, 1-5-2 Irifune, Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture [Official URL] https://www.riei.co.jp/