I just thought these were the most amazing bentos I'd ever seen, so I started looking around online. I found some even neater ones here, from a mom of a little girl who just finished a Kinder-school program in Japan. She's been making obento for her daughter for three years now, and they're amazing.

Then, take a look at this site, from another woman in Japan, who is not only a bento-maker, but who sells the supplies to make these amazing dishes.

I just have one question: How would you even want to eat it? I'd hate to mess it up. It really does show the difference in lunch styles in our country, though... can you imagine a lunch that contained small portions of 12 or 13 different foods here? That's one of the notable features of bento.

Almost makes me want to pack better lunches for my daughter as third grade approaches this fall. Almost. Any suggestions?