Whether you're traveling around the country from the comfort of the bullet train or simply catching a lunch break, Japanese bento boxes provide some very delicious variety with your meal. Mom-and-pop bento shops offer up home-styled Japanese lunches on the cheap, school-kids can look forward to colorful character bento made by their parents, and those willing to spend a bit more can indulge their inner-foodie with fancier bento that offer premium delicacies from around the country. But even when rubbing elbows with the higher end of bento diners, you're unlikely to come across someone enjoying as extravagant as this.

Filling this wooden cow-silhouette bento box are premium cuts of wagyu beef from Tottori prefecture, which was awarded "best quality" in the National Competitive Exhibition of Wagyu by the national Wagyu Registry Association, as well as selected under the supervision Kyoto-style food restaurant Takaki, which holds two Michelin Stars. With such a reputation, this can at least be ranked as some the highest quality of beef in Japan--all in a bento!.

Of course, you're not just wolfing down meat out of a wooden cow (although there is probably a certain amount of appeal in that). Each portion of meat rests atop a serving of Tottori prefecture's own Kinu Musume rice, known for a slight sweetness and a glossy and silky texture that pairs especially well with wagyu.

Of course, with all its prestige and almost guaranteed deliciousness, the bento comes at a hefty price. The premium quality wagyu bento box clocks in at 292,929 yen (a play on the pronunciation of the word "meat" in Japanese, "niku"--the box is being released to celebrate "meat day" in Japan) or $2,609.99 USD. At such an exorbitant price, it's clear that outside of the mouth-watering meat and incredible quality for a lunch box, this is designed to have a bit of a novelty-item appeal to it. That said, at 4.5 kilograms, the bento is obviously meant to be shared, which would certainly help out with the price.

Included with the high-roller bento is a sauce made from Tottori prefecture's famous Asian pears, known for their juiciness, as well as a serving of Japanese citrus and raw local wasabi which you can grate on the spot as a way to complement the savory flavor of the meat.

As you can see, the healthy servings of meat match up with their placement on a cow: brisket, loin and chuck slices, tongue, prime rib, tenderloin, chuck flap, top round, and temple.

It's clearly available only for delivery within Japan, but Gochikuru is taking orders until March 31st. Bon Appetite.


By - grape Japan editorial staff.