Night in a Konbini

Japanese convenience stores, known as 'konbinis' are the best.  Not only can you buy a multitude of edible and drinkable items, but you can also do your banking, photo copying, faxing, buy concert tickets, read porn (without being told to 'buy it or get out pervert'), buy dog sanitary pads (I've seen this I swear), and basically just wander around having a good time, laughing at shit with funny names.

This is what I was up to tonight, and as I can't be shagged writing about snowboarding or kids, I decided to take a few pictures and post them.  I've spent large amounts of time in konbinis.  Perhaps on occasion, even more than in my own apartment.  There's always stuff to look at.  I used to like a blog called Konbini Life, where the guy would buy and eat some weird store item each day, and write about it.  I'd post the link, but it's shut down now.

So basically I'm not breaking any new ground here.  There's more than enough web info on Japanese konbini items.  And pictures.  I plagiarised a couple because there's no way I'm buying any squid or crabs and opening them just for this blog.  I'm too tight and too slack.  Plus that shit stinks, as I've already mentioned beforehand.

This is a pancake stuffed with whipped cream and sweet red beans.  Rank.  I hate that red bean shit.  It's even worse when they make ice cream out of it.  Haagen Dazs - how could you?

Sweet Meltykiss, you look and sound so good.  My opinion = boring.  Buy a Kit Kat instead - especially the cherry blossom flavoured ones.  They're pale pink and they rule.  It's not the season yet though- the Kit Kat apple flavour is currently what the people want.

Taco filled sushi.  Don't go there, even when pissed.  It is far worse than a souvlaki that's been sitting in the bottom of the bain-marie for 8 hours.

Mini, whole, unshelled, dried crabs.  Enough said.

A whole dried squid.  Snack popular in crowded or confined places.  Possibly in the top three of my worst smells ever.

I hadn't seen this before.  I'm intrigued, while also being a little disgusted.  Apple tea and yogurt is not something I'd ever thought of mixing before.

Genki drinks.  A favourite of salarymen Japan over.  I'm not sure what's actually in them.  Someone once told me amphetamines so I started buying up.  Verdict = unlikely.  Although, they do put a bit of a spring in your step in the mornings.

Good old Calpis.  This time in a handy squeezy sachet.  I have to admit I haven't been there.  Can't get past the name.

But I do like Pocari Sweat.  In fact, I sculled a bottle of it today when I came off the mountain.  That sweat sure is refreshing.

And the old classic - Cream Collons.  My opinion is typical of my more broad reaching opinion of a wide variety of Japanese snack food, bakery treats and cakes.  All fluff, no stuff.








Well thus ends my little trip down konbini memory name.  I sure do like those places.  Apparently there are 40 000 across Japan.  I was shocked.  I was sure it would be in the millions.  I feel like I myself have visited 40 000 in my short time here.  Now, I wonder if anyone has counted the vendos........