Convenience Store: Family Mart
Prologue to a series: My new project for the next six months will be branding this site and making it a resource for travelers and researchers in Japan. Firstly, the internet is flooded with information on life over here. Many of the sites/blogs explore the dynamics between foreigners and natives from a linguistic and cultural point of view, to racism and how that makes any sense at all. This site will attempt to provide a resource.
[ listening to: The Rippingtons "paradise"]
Rather then list up all of the convenience stores in Japan, I will only highlight one where I take care of all of my personal needs. This is because all of them provide similar services.
Introducing Family Mart. Or, ファミリーマート The ubiquitous chain shop in Japan that sells just about everything you need 24 hours a day, and every day of the week. You just pull up next to the place either on a bike or a motorbike, whichever. No problems. Pop in, grab whatever you need then leave. The cashiers are fast and well-mannered, too. Forget what some idiot foreign people may say about how these acts of kindness are processed. It really doesn't matter. The point is that the service is quick, timely and the customer service is great.
Unlike in the States where I was limited to junk food selections and personal services, and the occasional asshole at the counter, the Japanese convenience store chains provide so much more in terms of service and customer friendliness. I pay all of my bills here in cash. I can even pay my taxes here - both state and local! I also love picking up my movie, concert, and club tickets here. Overnight bus tickets can be purchased here, as well as airline tickets, as well. I can even have stuff delivered to the nearest Family Mart.
When I was in between addresses, I had a parcel shipped to the nearest Family Mart where they held it for me. When I came to pick it up, they rang up the delivery charge, and I paid it and was on my merry way. It was great. I vaguely remember, but I had some friends ship their skis up to a ski lodge via Family Mart using a 3rd party delivery service. When they arrived at their hotel the skis were there behind the counter. What convenience.
Another thing, the food is great. Anyone who's lived in Japan long enough knows that food purchased here, or any convenience store in Japan, is good. The finger foods like Japanese-style fried chicken and fried potatoes are better than expected. There's even the occasional selection of sushi you can get from time to time, as they tend to sell out quickly.
I love the magazine lineup as well. From popular tech mags to soft porn, you name it. Frozen food selection is good and with all the seasonal desserts and parfaits. The dry goods selection is also decent with a large variety of cup noodles all reasonably priced. There're a variety of lunch boxes and teas, alcohol, and coffee. You can even buy cereal and canned goods. I do not know how American convenience store chains have changed since I was back in the states, but rest assured, you won't find a better service than Family Mart.
[ listening to: The Rippingtons "paradise"]
Rather then list up all of the convenience stores in Japan, I will only highlight one where I take care of all of my personal needs. This is because all of them provide similar services.
Introducing Family Mart. Or, ファミリーマート The ubiquitous chain shop in Japan that sells just about everything you need 24 hours a day, and every day of the week. You just pull up next to the place either on a bike or a motorbike, whichever. No problems. Pop in, grab whatever you need then leave. The cashiers are fast and well-mannered, too. Forget what some idiot foreign people may say about how these acts of kindness are processed. It really doesn't matter. The point is that the service is quick, timely and the customer service is great.
Unlike in the States where I was limited to junk food selections and personal services, and the occasional asshole at the counter, the Japanese convenience store chains provide so much more in terms of service and customer friendliness. I pay all of my bills here in cash. I can even pay my taxes here - both state and local! I also love picking up my movie, concert, and club tickets here. Overnight bus tickets can be purchased here, as well as airline tickets, as well. I can even have stuff delivered to the nearest Family Mart.
When I was in between addresses, I had a parcel shipped to the nearest Family Mart where they held it for me. When I came to pick it up, they rang up the delivery charge, and I paid it and was on my merry way. It was great. I vaguely remember, but I had some friends ship their skis up to a ski lodge via Family Mart using a 3rd party delivery service. When they arrived at their hotel the skis were there behind the counter. What convenience.
Another thing, the food is great. Anyone who's lived in Japan long enough knows that food purchased here, or any convenience store in Japan, is good. The finger foods like Japanese-style fried chicken and fried potatoes are better than expected. There's even the occasional selection of sushi you can get from time to time, as they tend to sell out quickly.
I love the magazine lineup as well. From popular tech mags to soft porn, you name it. Frozen food selection is good and with all the seasonal desserts and parfaits. The dry goods selection is also decent with a large variety of cup noodles all reasonably priced. There're a variety of lunch boxes and teas, alcohol, and coffee. You can even buy cereal and canned goods. I do not know how American convenience store chains have changed since I was back in the states, but rest assured, you won't find a better service than Family Mart.
Convenience store prices in Japan are also very reasonable compared to my home country of Australia. The food is pretty good and there have been many a time I've eaten lunch from a conbini in Japan.
ReplyDeleteJapan-Australia,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. Right. The conbini's here suit me just fine.