Japan's Convenience Stores: 10 Reason Why They're Best In The World

Above, a Family Mart convenience store in the Asakusa section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If there's a kind of business that there is never a shortage of in Japan, it is the convenience store.

One can find a convenience store within walking distance just about anywhere in Japan.

Unlike the ones in the U.S., Japan's convenience stores have goods and services not found anywhere else as handy.

There are reasons for why Japan's convenience stores are the best in the world and Time Out Tokyo lists ten of them.

They start with:

Japan’s convenience stores, known affectionately as konbini, are the best in the world. You can find them anywhere throughout the country, tirelessly open 24/7. In fact, it’s estimated that Japan has close to 60,000 konbini; in Tokyo alone, there are around 50 stores for every 100,000 people.

Konbini are the pulse of every neighbourhood, catering to your every need, want and whim, anytime of the day. Here are the things that make the konbini in Tokyo – and across Japan – our local superheroes, always there for us, come rain, shine, snow or typhoon.

 To read more, go here.