In contrast to the US "convenience stores," the Japanese konbini is a marvel of convenience.
You can buy tasty candy like Pocky and Crunky.
You can ship your luggage to the Tokyo Hilton in preparation for your return trip home.
You can pay your electric and gas bills. And health insurance premiums.
You can purchase tickets to the Grampus football matches and the latest J-Pop band.
You can plaster cheap lipstick and blush on your face.
You can buy socks and unmentionables.
You can get a really good latte. No, really. It's good.
And you can also stock up on a dizzying array of junk food, including salted squid.
You can stock up on sake, $3 white wine, Bombay Sapphire gin, and a dizzying array of whiskey. Also Maximum Strength Advil for after.
You can buy "beer" but not IPAs. So not really.
Asparagus shaped chocolate crackers? Oh yes.
You can buy good sushi! As a bonus, it wasn't made last week.
You can chat up the store clerk and practice your Japanese phrases like fukuro wa irimasen!
Raining outside and your daughter packed three pairs of jeans but no jacket or umbrella? Konbini's got you covered!
The only thing you can't do at a Japanese konbini ... is buy gasoline.
