Take-out food: where to eat it?
 

We're going to be in Tokyo and Kyoto in October, primarialy with a tour. But all lunches and some dinners, plus free days mean we will need to find inexpensive meals on our own. When we travel in Europe, it is easy to picnic. In Paris we loved galette, and people walk around eating them or find a bench or low wall on which to sit outside. But I think I heard that walking around eating isn't done in Japan. So...if we find some take-out meal in a market, or near large train/subway stations, or in the food floor of a large department store, where do we eat it? Are there tables and benches nearby? I'm having a hard time picturing this. Thanks!

We found inexpensive restaurants in and around train stations. I would not bother with take-outs unless we're talking about street stalls. Sit in the restaurants and enjoy your meal!

You should not walk and eat, but sitting, as on a bench is fine.

It's considered bad manners to walk around and eat with food in your hands on the street. Usually at stalls, or at train and subway stations, the eating places have a place to sit or stand while eating, or there's a bench nearby. If you see that, you are supposed to eat there, finish, and throw your trash away there. But, if you buy food from the department stores, it's meant to be taken home to be eaten, unless you see seating, then you can eat there.

That said, you might get away with eating a bento box lunch in a park. Use your judgement.

Thanks Cilla, Icuy and Haruna! I appreciate these tips!