Convenience stores (コンビニ) are everywhere in Japan; cities, stations, airports, hospitals and universities. Moreover, convenience stores in Japan sell everything, and most of them are open 24 hours a day. It’s rare for foreigners, and convenience stores are now a tourist destination.
What can you get at コンビニ?
If you go into a convenience store in Japan, you should be surprised to find all sorts of things on sale. As for food, not only bread and rice, but also pasta, Ramen, fried food, Yakitori, etc. Of course, juice and alcohol. ※When you buy alcohol, the clerk may check your age. This is because only people over 20 years old are allowed to drink alcohol.
You can also get daily necessities, for example, tissue paper, stationary, sanitary napkin and cosmetic. Even if you forget your underwears or socks, you can get them at convenience stores in Japan.
Moreoner, there are books, comics, magazines and newspapers. ※You are not allowed to browse.
How do you pay at コンビニ?
When you go to the cash register, you may be asked if you need a plastic bag. Currently, plastic bags cost about 3 to 5 yen. On the other hand, chopsticks, spoons and disposable wet towel are free. And when you buy lunch boxes, you will be asked if you need heat it up.
There are various payments, such as cash, credit card, transportation IC card, PayPay, etc.
If there is an electronic panel at the cash register, select a payment method.
※You can’t exchange money at the cash register. It is not only at convenience stores, but also at other stores.
コンビニ is not only available for shopping
Most Japanese people look for convenience stores when they want to go to the restroom on the go. If you ask the staff, they will let you use the restroom. Moreover, most of those are very clean. ※Please be careful not to take any unpaid items to the restroom.
Recently, many convenience stores have eating-in spaces. It says “イートイン” in Japanese.
You can use the spaces if you shop there. It also has trash boxes, so you don’t have to carry it around. That’s exactly “convenience”!
Have a good life & trip in Japan 🙂
コメント