Convenience Store (JDT Recommends)

Convenience stores, known as konbini, are everywhere in Japan. These convenience stores are open 24/7 and sell all kinds of goods, primarily focusing on food. Pre-made meals such as bento, soba, spaghetti, and more are available and the store will even heat it up for you so you don't have to worry about that once you get home or back to the office. Smaller snack size dishes and side dishes such as onigiri, pastries, gyoza, and salads are also sold to add onto your meal or for a light snack in the middle of the day or late at night. Next to the cashier is also usually a small precooked food section selling things like crispy heated croquette and fried chicken or hot oden. The drinks and beverage section is also extensive. All kinds of drinks like tea, coffee, beer, wine, juice, energy drinks, and more are stored in the large refrigerator. Now you can't forget about dessert: puddings and jelly desserts are available as well as an entire freezer full of ice cream to choose from.

But wait, convenience stores sell more than food. A variety of other daily goods such as body care products, shampoo, cosmetics, batteries, umbrellas and more are also sold. There is also usually a section with a large rack of magazines, newspapers, and comics. It is not uncommon for people to stand in front of these magazines and read.

In recent years, convenience stores have become even more convenient. Some branches of convenient stores have ATM, copy, and photo print machines. The ATM machines are especially useful since they are open 24/7.

Convenient stores in Japan are extremely convenient, for they are a one stop store for a great variety of goods. There are several competing large branches such as 7 Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson, Circle K Sunkus, which are constantly striving to be the best ranked convenience store.

Be sure to stop inside a convenience store and see the differences between their American counterparts during any of our fully-guided Cherry Blossom Japan Tours or Anime Tour Pacakges through the best of Tokyo and Kyoto with Japan Deluxe Tours!