You have probably noticed that we here at RocketNews24 are huge fans of Japanese convenience stores. And if you have ever lived in or visited Japan, odds are you too came to love these amazing places. But what exactly makes Japanese convenience stores so different and special compared to those overseas? Click below to see five reasons why we think these “conbini” totally live up to the hype!
- Food quality
Image: Flickr (Kempton)
Although many convenience stores around the world stock food, Japan stands out for the high-quality food available at almost all hours of the day. It is not surprising that a country whose cuisine had been added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list would even value the quick, ready-made food in convenience stores.
Rice balls with all kinds of yummy fillings can be bought for around 100 yen (US$1) each while affordable ready-made meals often use locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. During the winter, you can warm yourself up quickly with a bowl of oden or a steamed pork bun. And in summer, all kinds of different ice cream treats fill the freezer section.
- Free public restrooms
There are convenience stores practically every few blocks in larger cities in Japan and most of them have clean restrooms anyone can use. Many of them are a pretty good size as well, just in case you need to change your clothes mid-day. So stop hunting for that public bathroom and just look for the glowing sign of a convenience store. Even if you’re not actually buying anything at the store, a quick “sumimasen toire wo tsukaimasu” (“Excuse me, I’m using/would like to use the toilet”) will be greeted with a smile and a nod.
- Services galore
Japanese convenience take the word “convenience” very seriously and are more than just a store full of products. In fact, a lot of people come in and don’t even buy anything. Many use the in-store copy machines, ATMs, movie/concert/overnight bus ticket kiosks and instant picture printers. Many stores also have some sort of partnership with delivery services, making them a great alternative to long lines at the post office, and you can even arrange for your luggage to be kept safe and shipped to the airport, saving you the hassle of lugging it with you on the trains to catch your flight.
- All the vices you need
Image: Flickr (Gary J. Wolff)
Besides toothpaste and milk, Japanese convenience stores also sell just about any vice you need. The bookshelves normally stock porn magazines and saucy manga, and you can buy cigarettes or booze 24 hours a day. Of course if you are an alcoholic, chain-smoking porn-addict, you might want to stay away, but, hey, the cashier won’t judge you – they merely ask that you hit the button on the register touch screen saying “I confirm that I’m over 20 years of age”
- Hospitality
One of the first things you will notice in a Japanese convenience store is the attentiveness of the staff. Besides making sure to greet everyone who enters, the stores are usually kept immaculately clean and everything is lined up neatly on the shelves. And if you buy a ready-made meal that needs heated up, the cashier will be more than happy to microwave it for you and provide everything from disposable chopsticks to tiny plastic sporks and drinking straws. There is even a hot water pot to use for your recently purchased cup ramen, and staff will bag your purchases separately if you have both hot and cold items–well, that or do some exceptionally clever packing.
This is the Japanese convenience store: a friendly place open 24 hours a day where you can get almost anything you want. Unfortunately for those of us living outside of Japan (besides you lucky Hawaiians), we will just have to live with our memories of the magic that is the Japanese convenience store. What are your favorite things about Japanese convenience stores? What surprised you about your first visit? Let us know in the comments below!
Feature Image: RocketNews24
Five important manners to remember when buying something at a Japanese convenience store
For chivalry, Japanese man tells female store clerk “I aint got nothing to say to you!”
Message to foreigners at Japanese convenience store sparks controversy online
Japanese convenience stores showing “hardening of society” with touch-screen age verification?
Lawson begins first self-service convenience store in Tokyo, no line-ups necessary
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Totoro embroidered bags and pouches are as fluffy and cute as the Ghibli star himself【Photos】
We almost cried on our first visit to this under-the-radar budget Italian restaurant in Japan
One of the busiest stations in Tokyo is changing the name on its signs, but not necessarily to make it easier for people to find their way around.
Japanese pop idol A-chan reveals she’s always wanted to marry a fan, and she’s done it
Stay in a Tokyo hotel with a train driver’s seat in the room
Kirby mochi arrives at Family Mart, but is it as sweet to eat as it is to look at?【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
Japanese mom’s ugly curry rice has a beautiful backstory【Photos】
Japanese chef’s curry cleanup kitchen hack means there’s no reason not to cook a pot right now
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Tokyo all-you-can-eat senbei deal is perfect for newbies to the world of beloved Japanese snacks
Never forget that Mister Donut’s super-simple ramen is actually very hard to beat
The deluxe disappointment and basic brilliance of Japan’s oldest standing soba noodle chain
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Japanese city’s plan to make convenience store restrooms public restrooms stinks, owners think
Japanese convenience store or Japanese supermarket: Which one is cheaper?
Japanese customer finds run-in with “Indian” convenience store clerk a refreshing experience
Customer from hell terrorizes Japanese convenience store after misunderstanding about cigarettes
Heroic Japanese convenience store owner saves foreigner from online scam artist
UX at Japanese convenience store is a heartwarming example of excellent customer service
No more porn–Japanese convenience store chain to phase out adult magazine sales by end of year
Japan’s second-largest convenience store chain changes service policy for sake of foreign workers
“I’ll kill you!” says Japanese schoolgirl when convenience store won’t let her use restroom
When a Japanese convenience store opens in the countryside…
These convenience stores really, really want you to buy their ehomaki Setsubun rolls
Six ways to avoid looking like an “idiot” when shopping at Japanese convenience stores
Can you tell if a Japanese neighborhood is dangerous by looking at its convenience store?
This week in convenience store bento: Our top 5 new releases
To ask or not to ask: The etiquette and law of using convenience store restrooms in Japan
The Japanese convenience store with a secret DJ booth in the basement
Leave a Reply