Celebrity traveling chef Anthony Bourdain will immediately retch at the idea of eating anything other than traditional food in any new country he visits. But many modern amenities in the world can surprise travelers with their range of healthy eating choices, from both the traditional to the fusion of international cuisine. Case in point: Japan’s convenience stores. The konbini, as it is called locally, got its start when businessman Hideo Shimizu visited the United States in his search for the next big thing and fell in love with the idea of a store that sells items one might need in short notice, displayed in a uniform way.

7-Eleven was the first Japanese convenience store, followed by Lawsons, Sunkus (an odd combination of “Sun” and “Thanks”), FamilyMart, Mini-Stop, Heart-In, Yamazaki Daily Store and many more. Like pachinkos, vending machines and videoke bars, convenience stores are ubiquitous in the large cities, and you can find any of the 40,000 konbini around every second corner. And because of cut-throat competition, products in konbini are often priced lower than in grocery stores, especially the food and beverages. And in Japanese cities where the cost-of-living are among the highest in the world, konbini provide a source of affordable yet healthy dining with a near-endless assortment of meals, making it the first choice among budget travelers and single male residents.

Upon entering the konbini, customers are quick to see the random stranger perusing the magazine section. Known as tachiyomi (reading-standing), these public readers are usually buried nose-deep in up-to-date magazines or even a minor selection of books and manga, then would quietly return the material back to the shelf.

In Western stores, food sold in convenience stores comes in prepackaged products, from chips to processed bread. Konbini, on the other hand, sells a variety of fresh meals, from traditional meal like rice balls (onigiri), bento boxes and bread products like curry pan, sandwiches and rolls, to a selection of salads and dozens of bottled teas and flavored water, all of them in single-serve packages. The bento, in particular, is a popular lunch item and contains sushi, noodles, fried cutlet over rice and Japanese pickles, usually served cold. Niku-man, a meat-filled Chinese bun served in its own steamer, is a favorite warm meal during winter. Cup noodles come in a wider selection of flavors, from curry to wasabi, and some are packed with croquettes and tempura. The drink section is as varied as the food. Many beverage companies release their experimental concoctions solely through convenience stores, so when you’re fixing for cucumber soda or the milky white goodnes of Calpis, head for your nearest neighborhood corner.

Konbinis also provide services several levels beyond that of Western-style convenience stores. Self-service fax machines, full-color photocopiers and printers are ready for use; bills payment and ATMs for local banks are also available here. People can drop off or pick up deliveries, like luggages and parcels, and they can also buy stamps and post cards.

Some stores sell tickets for sporting events, concerts, highway buses and other attactions; Lawsons even exclusively sell entrance passes to the Ghibli Museum. Others have kiosks that lets you print photographs from your digital camera’s memory card. Summer gifts (ochuugen) are also available, when you need to give pricey fruits to loved ones.

So if you visit Japan for the first time, don’t forget to drop by your nearest konbini. I’m sure it’s only at the next corner!

Posted in Attractions, Food, Japan

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 8:57 am and is filed under Attractions, Food, Japan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.