Like we said in part 1, Japanese convenience stores are stocked with enough food and drink to feed an entire judo team (some konbinis are pretty small). But konbinis do more than simply satisfy your taste buds, they offer a surprising amount of services that can only be described as convenient.

Here are our non-caloric related reasons why we love Japanese konbinis!

Wi-Fi

I lived in Japan for a long time without owning a smartphone. This was made only made possible through the sheer volume of konbinis scattered throughout the city with Wi-Fi. With every Lawson and 7/11 equipped with Wi-Fi, I was able to konbini hop my way through the city.

 

Restrooms

Again, having a restroom in a konbini isn’t necessarily impressive until you consider that Japanese cities are maxtrix-like webs of Konbinis. There is a special peace of mind one receives knowing that they are rarely more than a 5 min walk from a restroom when duty calls. Combine this with the sensation of being engulfed in a fluffy Wi-Fi cloud as you handle your business and you will quickly fall in love with these Japanese sanctuaries that we call konbinis. Of course, if you are going to use the toilet, buy something to show your gratitude.

ATM

Need some quick cash? Most bank ATMs at the banks are 24 hours but almost every Konbini is stocked with an available ATM. Japan is a cash country and there are an abundance of cash machines here to support your financially irresponsible spending habits. Feel free to grab a konbini snack on your way out.

Bills

Upon arrival, it won’t take long for bills to start flooding into your apartment like acceptance letters to Hogwarts. You will soon realize that the process of paying these bills is going to be a mission. Fear not! Look no further than your local konbini. Simply walk to the cash register, hand the worker your bill and money, buy a celebratory onigiri and walk out the store feeling like a person who gets things done.

Shipping Services

No post office no problem. A trip to your closest convenience store is all it takes to remove your parcels from your Japan life. Fill out the shipping form and pay the fee, easy peasy.

Tickets

For those poor credit cardless souls who are unable to shop online, konbinis offer you a path to buy tickets for events! Concerts, museums, theme parks, JLPT tests, sporting events, konbinis have it all.

 

Konbinis rock, and I recommend enjoying them while you are here. Sometimes you never really know what you have until its gone.

 

 

 

 

-Avoiding cell phone contracts, public restrooms, banks and post offices one konbini stop at a time.