If you want to make people really uncomfortable, take pictures of a yet-to-be-opened convenience store at night. Being a foreigner on a bike helps too.
When I finally make that big journey back home to America, I am fairly certain that one of the things I am going to miss the most will be the Almighty Convenience Store. Convenience stores (kombini in Japanese) are prevalent here in a way that boggled my mind the first time I came here. I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: the convenience store is one of the essential facets of life in Japan.
There are many different chains of convenience stores. This one is on my way home from work on Thursdays; it is, as you can see, an ampm (pronounced A-M-P-M, like the times of day) and will have its "grand opening" on the 31st. I'm a bit excited in a geeky way. This particular chain has always been one of the better ones in my area, so to have one so close to my apartment will be really nice.
I love convenience stores. I guess they're really nothing special, and at times they can be downright frustrating (except for core items, they tend to change their stock every month or so, which means that you can't let yourself find new favorite drinks or snacks because it will only end in heartache), but I still spend way too much money at these suckers. I can't go a day without sneaking into one to buy some water and bread. (Or, recently, as my building's washing machine is overloaded and broken, underwear.) I let myself get swept up in the new stock and promotions, practically tossing money at whatever new random cute thing I don't need but could have -- conveniently! It's a dangerous relationship, but I'm going to miss it when it's gone.
Anyway, ampm is one of my favorite chains. The other ones close to my apartment aren't as nice. We have two Lawsons that are regularly out of stock (and haunted by creepy drunks) and a Sunkus that never has what I want it to. Now, if this was a Seven-Eleven, I'd be a lot more excited, but hopefully this particular franchise won't let me down.
(Yes, Mom, we have 7-11s. No, they don't have slushies.)
When I finally make that big journey back home to America, I am fairly certain that one of the things I am going to miss the most will be the Almighty Convenience Store. Convenience stores (kombini in Japanese) are prevalent here in a way that boggled my mind the first time I came here. I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: the convenience store is one of the essential facets of life in Japan.
There are many different chains of convenience stores. This one is on my way home from work on Thursdays; it is, as you can see, an ampm (pronounced A-M-P-M, like the times of day) and will have its "grand opening" on the 31st. I'm a bit excited in a geeky way. This particular chain has always been one of the better ones in my area, so to have one so close to my apartment will be really nice.
I love convenience stores. I guess they're really nothing special, and at times they can be downright frustrating (except for core items, they tend to change their stock every month or so, which means that you can't let yourself find new favorite drinks or snacks because it will only end in heartache), but I still spend way too much money at these suckers. I can't go a day without sneaking into one to buy some water and bread. (Or, recently, as my building's washing machine is overloaded and broken, underwear.) I let myself get swept up in the new stock and promotions, practically tossing money at whatever new random cute thing I don't need but could have -- conveniently! It's a dangerous relationship, but I'm going to miss it when it's gone.
Anyway, ampm is one of my favorite chains. The other ones close to my apartment aren't as nice. We have two Lawsons that are regularly out of stock (and haunted by creepy drunks) and a Sunkus that never has what I want it to. Now, if this was a Seven-Eleven, I'd be a lot more excited, but hopefully this particular franchise won't let me down.
(Yes, Mom, we have 7-11s. No, they don't have slushies.)
hai Melissa! How is going in Japan!! I am now back in VT and I miss Japan so much!! Even though I am with Goma...still I miss everything about Japan especially food!! oh yes and convinience store!! I love conbini too!! I lov your blog I think your perspective on Japanese culture is very interesting!! like Japanese ppl obseesed with White blonde blue eyes Gaijin san...yeah it is so overrated...to me they are just boooooooorrrring!! lol!! ok talk soon!
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