7-Eleven Japan Vs US: What Are The Biggest Differences?
Convenience stores have become an essential part of modern working culture in the U.S. and abroad. If you work long hours with few breaks, meal prepping at the end of the day can be exhausting. So sometimes, that quick sandwich is a lifesaver. Even Trader Joe's is hopping on the convenience store bandwagon with its new "Pronto" concept. In the U.S., we typically hit the bodega or gas station store for our grab-n-go needs, but one country might rival our love for these institutions.
Japan is home to several konbini brands, the country's take on convenience grocery stores, and 7-Eleven might be the king. The first store in the country popped up in Toyosu in 1974. Since then, over 21,000 locations have opened — impressive numbers for a span of only fifty years. The Tokyo prefecture alone has 2,901 stores. For perspective, that's more than the entire state of Texas, where 7-Eleven was founded. What makes 7-Eleven so special in Japan is how easily it integrates into the city culture while offering delicious food and positive customer experiences.
Japan's 7-Eleven offers a true konbini experience
In the U.S., most 7-Elevens are going to be tacked onto a gas station that may or may not have barred windows. A lot of the customers are college students or blue-collar workers browsing a rotation of Coca-Cola drinks and Lays chips during the dark a.m. hours. We can't forget the iconic Big Gulp, either. There's a certain Americana charm to it, and Japan has a distinct culture in this convenience store as well.
Suited business professionals stop by 7-Eleven to grab their afternoon lunch, where onigiri and melon bread might be part of the menu. Reliable WiFi and ATMs are a plus, too. It's also become something of an internet phenomenon for travelers to record their finds from a 7-Eleven store in Japan. Locals might find it confusing that foreigners are so fascinated by the stores they walk by every day, but the hype is understandable. Especially when you consider how different the snacks are inside Japanese locations.
While you can find a great variety of dried instant ramen, you can also find pre-assembled bowls with fresh noodles, vegetables, and meat. To prepare it, you simply steam it in the microwave. You can also grab similarly pre-assembled donburi (i.e. Japanese rice bowls with assorted proteins) and famous egg salad sandwiches. The sweet treats don't disappoint, either. Fluffy steamed buns, strawberry and whipped cream sandwiches (yes, with whole fresh strawberries), and daifuku (mochi with fruit puree filling) are some of the true delights you can find on the shelf.
Unforgettable snacks and drinks you'll want to bring home
One of the best parts of stopping by a Japanese 7-Eleven is the drink selection. There are strict labeling practices for fruit juice, so if you see any container with a picture of a realistic fruit cut in half, it's going to be 100% fruit juice. A whole, un-cut fruit photograph will be more diluted, and drawings of fruit on the packaging indicate 5% or less of real fruit juice. You can use these fruity beverages as mixers for whiskey and sake, which are sold at 7-Eleven as well. Talk about convenience.
You'll also want to keep an eye out for seasonal and limited-edition items. Matcha chocolate truffles, edamame chips, and crown melon-flavored gummies are some seasonal treats that aren't as common in American snacks, and we suspect these food trends will only grow in popularity. 7-Eleven is also known to collaborate with popular anime and video game brands, so you might even find some beloved characters on the packaging. A lot of care goes into making tasty and unforgettable snacks, so it's no wonder this humble convenience store is so successful in Japan and America.