Post #08 (11.05.14) >> The Japanese convenience store ***NSFW***

Over the past few years the level of convenience store in Sydney has raised a little.
Even so, they are typically just a store to buy cigarettes, a can of V, Zoo magazine and use the ATM.

You'd only eat the food there if you couldn't get to a Maccas or a kebab stand.

The Indian guy behind the counter doesnt give two h00ts and just wants to offload you his clearance chocolate.

It is a fact that convenience stores in Asia are in a different league, the ones in Japan raise the bar up another tier.

A Japanese convenience store is called a Konbini.
Family Mart, 7 Eleven & Lawson are the three major chains.

Some of these stores are open 24 hours a day, if not than very close to, selling your everyday needs and wants + everything else far and in-between.
A true one stop shopping experience, almost like a mini supermarket, staffed by attentive people who greet you as you enter & offer customer service.
They also offer some services that are just uncomprehendable of back home.

Food:

Fried chicken, bento boxes, steamed buns, sushi. ongiri (seaweed wrapped rice snacks with fillings), sandwiches.

The cashier staff will ask if you want the food to be heated up in store.

Drink:
100's of types of coffees & teas, soft drinks, milks.
Alcohol .... beer & spirits ! wine ! sake ! shochu ! whiskey !

Toilets:
Forget about having to look for public toilets, or the nearest McDonalds, these konbinis have public toilets that are for use even by non-paying customers.

Free reading:

People go into these stores to stand in the aisle and read the magazines & newspapers... for free.

Comics, manga, hentai, p0rn, normal stuff, its all there together.

Services offered:

ATMS (Foreign credit and debit cards are usually only recognised at 7 Eleven stores)

Ticket reservations: sporting events, theme parks, concerts, travel services.
Digital photo printing: instant developing or pick up later
Bills: Utilities, mobile phones, insurance.
Delivery services: pickup/weigh, drop off and send parcels or luggage, buy post cards and stamps.
Copier/fax/printing: copy, send and print documents from usb sticks or online log-in.

Located everywhere and easily identifiable, these Kobinis would be the vice of many, including a hell of a tempting place for an alcoholic porn addict.

Lucky for us, 7 Eleven is conveniently located at the bottom of our hotel ! ^_^

I will document another bigger convenience store at a later date.

Here was where our long long day came to an end.
It was time to hit the sack !
Slow hotel wi-fi really slowed down my blogging initiative.