One of the best things about living in Japan that you absolutely cannot find anywhere else is the experience of convenience stores. In the U.S., convenience stores are more of a place you go to only when absolutely necessary. In Japan, however, convenience stores (コンビニ or "konbini") are frequently visited and always have almost anything you could need in a pinch! The three largest convenience store chains around Japan are 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawsons, which you can find on the corner of almost every city block in Tokyo and can even find kiosks inside train stations!
The konbini sell toiletries and office supplies as general convenience stores abroad do, however what sets apart Japanese konbini from the rest is their selection of ready-to-eat meals. In any konnbini, you can find rice balls, noodles, rice bowls, sandwiches, and a wide range of other deli meals that are not only cheap, but extremely tasty and of a remarkably higher quality than anything you would find in an American convenience store! They also often have a selection of fresh and frozen desserts as well as a hot meal selection which may include fried chicken, takoyaki (fried octopus balls), yakitori (BBQ meat and/or vegetable skewers), or oden (hot pot soup with egg, fish cake, and daikon)!
The konbini is also one of the easiest places to find weekly releases of manga such as Shounen Jump! You can even sometimes find fresh desserts or limited edition treats that are themed to various characters such as from Sanrio or anime and often come with collectible stickers. In sum, the konbini has become a staple of my everyday life in Tokyo, and I highly recommend anyone coming to Japan for school or travel to check them out!
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