One of the places which amazed me on my first-ever Japan trip was a convenience store. Yes, a simple-looking establishment, often nestled on street corners. They’re known as ‘konbini’ in Japan, and calling them just convenience stores would be an understatement. It’s more like a cultural experience.
It was late in the night at Aomori and I was trying to locate an ATM (an increasingly rare 2:00 AM deal in other parts of the world), and I stumbled into a convenience store. It looked like a mix of neatly stacked ready-to-eat meals, shelves of noodles, hot foods simmering near the counter, and a microwave where I could warm them.
And the best part? The food is genuinely good. Some locals even argue that konbini chicken is the best in the world—and I wouldn’t disagree. There are three big konbini chains: 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart. You could travel across the country and discover something different in each one. A limited-edition mochi-flavoured drink in Osaka, or a miso soup in Hokkaido.
MCQs:
Q.1) What is the term used in Japan for convenience stores?
a) Bento
b) Konbini
c) Izakaya
d) Shinkansen
Ans: b) Konbini
Solution: The passage explains that ‘konbini’ is the Japanese term for convenience stores.
Q.2) What surprised the author during his late-night visit to a konbini in Aomori?
a) Free internet
b) 24×7 customer service
c) Availability of an ATM
d) High-quality food and variety
Ans: d) High-quality food and variety
Solution: The author describes finding a wide variety of hot foods, noodles, and quality meals at the konbini late at night.
Q.3) According to the passage, which of the following is NOT one of the three main konbini chains in Japan?
a) FamilyMart
b) 7-Eleven
c) Daiso
d) Lawson
Ans: c) Daiso
Solution: The passage names 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart as the major konbini chains. Daiso is a separate retail chain known for 100-yen shops.
Q.4) What unique offerings might one find in different konbini across Japan?
a) Sushi made by robots
b) Regional food items like mochi drinks or miso soup
c) Imported luxury brands
d) Personal tour guides
Ans: b) Regional food items like mochi drinks or miso soup
Solution: The passage mentions region-specific items like mochi-flavoured drinks in Osaka or miso soup in Hokkaido.
Q.5) What makes konbini a cultural experience rather than just a store, according to the author?
a) Their large parking space
b) Availability of electronics
c) Their unique blend of food, accessibility, and variety
d) Their traditional Japanese architecture
Ans: c) Their unique blend of food, accessibility, and variety
Solution: The author emphasizes that konbini are more than just convenience stores due to their wide variety of quality food, 24×7 service, and presence across the country.