How many times have you fallen in love with a place after travelling there? Japan is one of the places I keep wanting to come back to for various reasons. I have been to Tokyo and Fukuoka, and both places are downright unforgettable. Funnily enough, some of the memorable places in Japan for me are their 24-hour convenience stores.
Called ‘konbini’, Japan is said to have more than 500,000 convenience stores in the country. That’s a lot! I remember visiting them almost every night when I stayed there – and if you’ve ever been to Japan, I’m sure you know what I mean. If you haven’t, though, here are various reasons why I find myself missing their convenience stores.
The Meals
While convenience stores all over the world offer different forms of, well, “convenient” food; Japan takes its food options to a whole new level. Aside from the usual sandwiches and chips, Japan’s convenience stores offer a wide array of delicious Japanese food – from bento sets and sushi to ramen and udon – to satisfy your cravings any time of the day. Whether you’re in the mood for a light snack or a full-on meal, their convenience stores have got you covered. Of course, they’ve got a wide array of drinks and desserts to go with them, as well.
The Alcohol
From their famous beer brands to sake, shochu, and wine; most convenience stores in Japan sell various alcoholic beverages, so you can get whatever it is you are craving for with ease.
The Dine-In Area
Some of the bigger konbini have a dine-in area with tables and chairs where you can take a proper break from sightseeing and walking around all day to enjoy your food. For the utmost convenience, electric kettles and microwave ovens are also available so you can heat up your food or get the boiling water needed for your coffee or instant noodles.
The Beauty Products
Did you forget to bring toothpaste? That’s a pretty common product to find in a convenience store. What about makeup, though? Whether you forgot to bring cosmetics with you altogether or misjudged your day and no longer have time to back to your hotel to freshen up, chances are you can find what you need at a konbini. They have cosmetics, body care products, and even underwear for any occasion or unexpected emergency. Most convenience stores in Japan also have a toilet in case you suddenly need one.
The Special Magazines
As with most convenience stores, konbini carry newspapers and entertainment magazines. Of course, Japan doesn’t stop there. They also offer manga and erotic magazines in case those strike your fancy. (No judgment here!)
The Special Services
Konbini don’t just offer goods that you can buy, either. A lot of them also provide important services via automated terminals. ATMs for cash withdrawals and delivery services can often be found in a konbini, going so far as letting you send your luggage to the airport to make your life easier.
Need tickets to an event, a theme park, or even just a bus? You can buy them at a terminal in a konbini, which usually also doubles as a copy machine and a fax machine. You can even print out photographs there if you want; just bring the memory stick with the photos with you. In some convenience stores, you can print them from your smartphone – it’s so amazing! Take note that these machines are typically all in Japanese, though, so make sure you have the Google Translate app handy. Of course, you can also ask the staff for help and hope they can speak English well enough to help you out.
Free Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi generally isn’t hard to come by in Japan, but I also love that their convenience stores usually come with Wi-Fi that you can use for free in case you need it or simply want to browse while you rest and eat your food.
Not only are Japan’s convenience stores loaded with things to make your stay there extra convenient, but they are also typically open 24 hours a day so you can literally go there anytime you need to. The more popular konbini chains include 7-11, FamilyMart, and Lawson, and are available in most big cities in Japan. In the countryside, there are usually other lesser-known convenience stores with special qualities. Either way, I highly recommend checking them out the next time that you’re there.
Have you been to a konbini before? Share your experience in the comments section!
