One thing I love about Japan are convenience stores, which are a great place to find hundreds of products when you’re in a hurry. Japanese conbini, as they’re called, offer a few improvements over their American counterparts, which specialize in frozen burritos, Pop Tarts and hot dogs that have been cooking on those rollers since 1991. In addition to an extensive selection of freshly-delivered bento lunches and any variety of onigiri (rice ball) you might want, Japanese convenience stores offer healthy salads, different types of bread including curry pan and melon pan, plus those heavenly nikuman steamed meat buns. You can find all the usual products (milk, cereal) as well as ice, beer, and 72 varieties of bottled tea, as well as banking services and the ability to pay your phone bill at the cash register. Japan’s love affair with convenience stores began in 1973, with the opening of the first 7-Eleven franchise store. It has to have been one of the most successful business ventures in history, since the Japanese licensor grew so large and successful it bought out the parent company in the U.S. Like other convenience store chains, 7-Eleven has been courting anime fans with unique tie-ins with popular anime and game series, since moe is big business in Japan.
Convenience stores offer many products, including moe.
