The Combini

In a country where the lifestyle is dependent on a lot of travel by foot, the Since the weekly shopping trip that we probably are used to in Western countries with big supermarkets and family cars is not a part of the Japanese lifestyle, instead, most people grab some items on the way home almost every day. For housewives and people with more free time this is usually done at the supermarket and fruit markets and so on, however for people with busy schedules, the convenience store is always accessible. They are called “conbini” by Japanese people. Usually there will be a few on the way home, or on the way to work, selling all basic goods. They are pretty well stocked and apart from a range of snacks, sell packed lunches and dinners in a variety of lunchboxes, as well as onigiri (riceballs), alcohols such as beer and chu-hi, and a range of diet and energy goods, toiletries including items like contact lens formula, some fruits and vegetables, magazines, and also . Tickets to events and so on can also be purchased through a machine that convenience stores keep, and all household bills can also be paid there. There is also a letterbox so that letters and parcels can be posted, and the necessary stamps and envelopes are also sold. Some plentiful ones are 7 Eleven, Sankus, Family Mart, Lawson.