Conbinis

Convenience stores or Conbinis (as they are known here in Japan) quickly become one of the must stop places in Japan. It was one of the things that I missed most from the country the last time I visited.

Conbinis can be found all over the place in Japan. Even the tiniest city is likely to have one. The conbini literally becomes a place where you spend a lot of time. In a conbini you can find everything from magazines to hot meals that are heated up and you take home with you. It’s also a place to pick up simple electronic products, quick groceries, health care stuff and it’s even where you pay your gas and electricity bills.

 I’m pretty lucky with where my apartment is located. Right behind it I have access to a conbini called Sun Kus and just a little further down the road is a mini stop. I have frequented both of these places and usually it’s to pick up an iced coffee on my way to work, a quick lunch when I don’t feel like cooking and maybe even ice cream when I need a treat after being in the heat. They are also the places that I go to pay my bills when I get them once a month. Being able to do that has made my life very simple because figuring out how to mail money for paying bills would have been a nightmare. The food that you get at conbinis isn’t the healthiest or the best tasting but in a quick pinch they do have sandwiches and cold noodles that are filling. The one conbini that I am missing is the 7-11, unfortunately they don’t have any on Shikoku, so I make do with Lawson’s or the other two that I mentioned above.

If you ever take a trip out to Japan make sure that you stop by at a conbini, it’ll probably be the easiest thing you find. The employees are also great if you need directions or help, they will be happy to point you on your way.