Every time I chat with friends, I always talk about the magical “conbini.” Even in Japanese, the word for convenience store is konbiniansu sutoa but they often shorten this to conbini. In typical Japanglish fashion, we native English speakers have also adopted this fashionably short word. Often, in Japanese, names of stores or restaurants are shortened to just a few syllables. For example: Starbucks becomes staabaa, McDonald’s becomes Makku, and my personal favorite, First Kitchen becomes fahkin (say it out loud).
Suggestive nicknames aside, I thought I would share a few pictures I snuck while perusing a conbini last weekend. On a side note, Japanese iphones are designed to make a sound when you snap a picture, a feature that can’t be turned off. This is because of the alarming number of guys sneaking pictures up girls skirts. Thanks to them, I didn’t make it out of the conbini without a few odd looks as I snapped away.
Conbinis carry just about everything; from ice cream to sushi, from kit kats to chocolate covered chips, from deodorant to dirty magazines. It’s all there. Of all the conbinis I like 7-11 the best, a place I normally avoid like the plague in the states. No time to cook dinner? No problem, there are hundreds of dinner options, fresh or frozen. Out drinking with friends and in need of a late-night meat bun? Please choose from beef, chicken, or pork. Out drinking too late and in need of some overnight stuff? Everything from toothpaste to underwear, it’s there.
When I finally leave Japan, I’m convinced I will go through conbini withdrawal.
The Girl In Translation 
I love that you put this up! These really sound like they’re hard to resist… good luck!
Haha just for you! One day, I’ll show you myself!
When I went to Japan, I loved going to the konbini. As you said, these places are magical. Lol.
Aren’t they?? Love it.
Konbini or conbini, which is it?
It’s technically “konbini” but as English speakers, “conbini” reads better as a short version of the word “convenience.” 🙂
I do NOT believe Kitchen is fahkin O__O Apart from that, I love Japanese corner shops or conbini. Your story reminds me of when me and my mum went 4 years ago and with my lack of Japanese we picked up a bottle of vodka by accident thinking it was sparkling water…
By the way, I have my own blog which focuses on Asian culture and entertainment such as video games and I wonder if it is possible for you to view it and tell me what you think please: http://nynyonlinex.wordpress.com
Of course, I’d love to check it out! Thanks for checking out my blog ^^
I miss Japan incredibly : / Their MOS burgers, yakisoba, ramens and sweet treats are incredibly tasty. I was in Okinawa for a little over a year and I am craving the bread buns with chocolate inside. I can’t find those anywhere! Enjoy your time there!!! : )
I know!! There is so much amazing food here I know I’m going to miss immediately! I’m trying to eat as much of it as possible… in good health of course, haha!