Conbini AKA Convenience Stores in Japan

Convenience stores in Japan REALLY are just that, they are VERY CONVENIENT for MANY reasons! For one, THEY ARE EVERYWHERE!!!! When we were looking for a house to live in they would also list how far to the train station, grocery store, and convenience store as well.  These pictures are from our nearest convenience store, which is only four minutes away on foot.  

As the sign says in the parking lot, there is an ATM.  Who knew 7-11 had their own bank? I mean, I didn't frequent convenience stores a lot in the States, is this a thing there?

A huge convenience is the prepared foods.  I have heard Japanese people living in the States say that they miss the foods in the conbini.  They offer real meals, not just pizza and hot dogs.  There is also a microwave and they will offer to warm your food for you if it is a hot meal.

Desserts and yogurts.

Rice balls (onigiri) on top. 

Probably the least known use of the convenient store for foreigners is you can PAY YOUR BILLS at the conbini.  Conbini is how Japanese people say convenience store.  They love to shorten foreign words to make them easier to say. This lady is taking our bills.

Then the screen tells you how much total is and the number will go down as you put cash into the machine.

For the bills, I don't even think credit card is an option.  It's crazy to think that Japan is still a largely cash based society, but it is true.  Many places, especially mom and pop stores, will only take cash. Chains and larger stores usually take credit cards. I use credit cards when I can.  

Let's take a look at other areas of the conbini.  

They sell a variety of goods, including some grocery items.  

This particular conbini has a Daiso (100 yen) section.

Alcohol.

All sorts of instant ramen.

Cold drinks.  They also sell milk (bottom), which is covenient to buy when the grocery store is closed.  

Trash bags and other items.

Body wash, laundry soap, fabric softener, etc.

Paper goods, plastic twine for bundling boxes.

Stationery goods.

Magazines.

Books and manga.

Even kids items.

Masks and sanitizers.  If you haven't noticed from previous posts, masking in public is still very prevalent in Japan, especially in stores and on public transportation.

Hygiene products.  You might be interested to know that Japanese people don't really wear deodorant. I think it's not needed as much because their diet is different. 

Snack items are available, just like convenience stores in the States.

There is also a copy machine and (not pictured) a restroom.

TRASH CANS are also available. I am sure that doesn't sound like a big deal to someone living in the States, but IT'S A THING! There are NO TRASH CANS IN PUBLIC SPACES IN JAPAN. YOU ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE YOUR TRASH BACK HOME WITH YOU.  

Here are pictures of the other two large conbini chains, Lawson and Family Mart. 

What do you think? I never frequented convenience stores in the States (only on road trips). Would you like to visit the conbini in Japan?