Firstly, I apologize for the lack of content updates the past couple of weeks. I'm not often on my laptop so far, so I've mostly been microblogging through my Facebook's story feature. If you want to see daily updates and photos, feel free to add me there, and if I actually know you, I'll definitely accept the request!
That said, today I wanted to talk about a Japanese feature that has quickly become one of my favorite facets of everyday life here. I've mentioned the konbini a few times already, since 7-Eleven is my main cash source (bless the proverbial heart of 7-Bank) and where I bought most of my food my first week in Hirakata.
But I don't think I've quite made clear how unlike American convenience stores konbini really are, while still looking nearly identical in many ways. First of all, while many American convenience stores do offer hot food, it's honestly not nearly as good as the hot food available over here (at least in my opinion). Pretty much every konbini has fresh and hot karage (fried foods like tonkatsu, fried pork, and korokke, croquettes) made behind the counter. Many also offer hot buns (like pork buns, butaman, one of which I just had for lunch at the 7-Eleven in which I'm currently spending my lunch break). Even the non-hot food, like the sandwiches and bento, are delicious too. I guess you can probably chalk it up to the fact that the Japanese tend to take their jobs/occupations very seriously, and the fact that the nation's motto is basically "Quality." Whatever it is, I crave 7-Eleven sandwiches nearly constantly. Aside from Casey's Pizza, I don't often do that with American convenience store food.
Oh, and if you like bread/cake/baked goods in general, Lawson's is the store for you. Their cake, melon bread, pastries, and just every bread in general is amazing. 12/10, do recommend.
Besides that, the variety of items is quite a bit better than most American convenience stores, I'd say. Also a plus is the fact that normally the front area doesn't smell of gasoline, since gas stations are usually their own thing (and I haven't seen a gas station run by any of the three major konbini brands yet, though I wouldn't be surprised if they're out there).
Another thing I love about konbini is their ubiquity. There's a 7-Eleven large enough to have a seating area on my campus, and a smaller one right across the street from the front gate. There's a Lawson's near KSGD's secondary campus, and another one right next to the bus stop I get off at to go to my homestay (perfect location to grab homework/study snacks and/or an afternoon drink). I've only been to a FamilyMart once, after I went somewhere with a new friend and got a little bit lost trying to find a bus stop. But thankfully, FamilyMart was right there, easily spottable, and entirely ready to provide a drink, a snack, and a relatively quiet spot to check my Maps app.
However, if there is one thing I don't like about konbini (primarily 7-Eleven), it's the background music (which is actually the phenomenon that inspired this specific post at this specific moment). Apparently at some point in the past, some team of psychologists discovered that a Muzak version of The Monkees' hit song "Daydream Believer" is the perfect tune to induce people to buy more stuff or something, because at every 7-Eleven in the country, if you stay inside for more than a few minutes, you're going to have that song permanently seared into your brain. They play it over and over and over and over. Thankfully, some of the individual shops offer a little more variety than that, especially if they have a seating area, but I've been in this 7-Eleven for about half an hour and have already heard the above-mentioned song twice. For the most part, I can tune it out, but once it gets to the brassy chorus, nah. I'm fully aware of it all over again, at least for a few seconds. If there are circles of purgatory as there are in hell, then one of them is a Japanese 7-Eleven where you can only look at the food, not buy or eat it, and Muzak "Daydream Believer" loops for all eternity.
The only other mildly-irritating thing I can think of about 7-Eleven is how catchy the jingle they play on TV/radio commercials is. It's gotten to the point where whenever I see a 7-Eleven sign (which is, of course, multiple times a day), I have to fight hard not to quietly sing "Sebun and ai holdings!" under my breath. (Printed as "SEVEN&i HOLDINGS.")
But honestly, I'm willing to forgive the chain and buy lunch at their stores two or three times a week, if only because 7-Bank is a blessing and the sandwiches are so incredibly dang good (and affordable).
So, overall, hooray and hurrah for konbini! They are my friends. Definitely check out 7-Eleven and Lawson's if you're ever in Japan. Just make sure to also bring a pair of headphones if you plan to stay more than a few minutes, so you can escape the overly-cheery eternity of instrumental "Daydream Believer."
Update 2/5/19: I went and found the song on YouTube, just so you can experience it if you really want to.
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