As an American who visited 7-Eleven in Japan, I was blown away

The exteriors of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan and the United States are nearly same, yet the inside are dramatically different.

There are 7-Elevens in Okinawa, Japan, as well as the rest of the world.

Nickelle Tilley

Before moving to Okinawa, Japan from the United States, I had heard about the country’s colorful culture, future technology, and wonderful cuisine. I did not anticipate, however, that I would frequently visit the local 7-Eleven to meet my breakfast, lunch, and supper appetites.

The Texas-based convenience store network has tens of thousands of brick-and-mortar stores around the globe, many of which have their own distinct take on the name.

Despite the fact that the exteriors of the businesses in Japan are similar to those of American convenience stores, the shopping experience in Japan is vastly different.

As soon as I entered the 7-Eleven — also known as a konbini, the Japanese word for convenience store — in Okinawa, I realized that it was light years ahead of the convenience stores I’ve seen in the United States.

From an American’s vantage point, this is how it is.

In Japan, 7-Elevens offer far more than just food and beverages.

The 7-Eleven I visited in Japan was equipped with an ATM and a photocopier.

Nickelle Tilley

The Japanese 7-Elevens I’ve seen are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, just like the majority of 7-Elevens around the globe. However, this establishment has much more to offer than drinks and nibbles.

Frequently, they include ATMs, printers, photocopiers, and fax machines. Many sell office products as well.

In my experience, the interior restrooms are usually very clean and have bidets as an extra plus.

Here, customers can purchase a variety of household products and toiletries.

The 7-Eleven also sells clothing and amenities in addition to food.

Nickelle Tilley

In Japan, if you tear your nylons or stain your shirt near a 7-Eleven, you’re in luck. The stores carry tights, hair gel, shirts, shampoos, and conditioners, among other items.

This location also sells toilet paper and cleaning products.

The business sells alcoholic beverages in addition to drinks, pills, and powders designed to ease hangover symptoms.

I discovered a box of alcoholic juice and other cures for hangover symptoms.

Nickelle Tilley

From what I’ve observed, the alcohol selections at 7-Elevens in Japan are adequate. Customers can even purchase a single alcoholic beverage in a container that resembles a juice box.

In close proximity to the vitamin supplements and protein gels marketed as over-the-counter hangover cures, I discovered beverages, tablets, and powders.

Freshly cooked, high-quality cuisine is the store’s main draw.

I frequently purchase fresh fruit and yogurt from the local 7-Eleven.

Nickelle Tilley

In the United States, I’ve discovered that many convenience stores sell meals that I don’t go out of my way to purchase, such as hot dogs and soggy pizza slices. Here you will not only find standard gas station meals.

In Japan, both residents and foreigners are drawn to 7-Eleven’s large selection of delectable meals.

Fresh-tasting, high-quality snacks and meals are available in the stores. In addition, they are quite reasonably priced.

The establishment serves speciality coffee beverages and hot brunches.

The coffee and pancakes at 7-Eleven are my breakfast of choice.

Nickelle Tilley

If I went to 7-Eleven for a quick breakfast on the run, I wouldn’t be able to refuse a package of hot pancakes made with maple syrup and margarine. I would serve them alongside fruit-flavored yogurt and juice, instant coffee, tea, or milk.

According to numerous coffee lovers, the freshly brewed coffees and lattes sold at 7-Eleven are comparable in quality to those sold in popular coffee shops. Additionally, beverages at 7-Eleven are quite inexpensive, with options beginning around $0.75.

On the shelves is an assortment of readymade ramen, rice, and curry.

In Japan, there are various varieties of ramen available at 7-Eleven.

Nickelle Tilley

Nearly a whole aisle at my neighborhood 7-Eleven is devoted to dry ramen. On the opposite side, there is cooked rice and curry.

The only preparation required for the dishes is heating them in the microwave.

A section of the store is devoted to seasonings and sauces.

By the sauces, the ketchup and mayonnaise are stored in plastic bags.

Nickelle Tilley

There is a section with small bottles of seasonings, dressings, and sauces at 7-Eleven.

I also found it intriguing that the store sold soft mayonnaise and ketchup bottles in plastic bags. In the United States, they are packaged in more rigid plastic bottles.

Onigiri is one of my favorite 7-Eleven items.

Onigiri, a popular Japanese rice snack, is one of my favorite items to purchase at 7-Eleven.

Nickelle Tilley

Onigiri is one of the first 7-Eleven items you should try.

The popular snack is a rice ball wrapped in seaweed and stuffed with minced chicken, beef, mayonnaise, or tuna; tuna is my favorite filling.

This nicely proportioned snack costs slightly more than a dollar.

There are both sweet and savory sandwiches in the stores.

At 7-Eleven, the egg sandwich is likely the most popular item.

Nickelle Tilley

A 7-Eleven sando, which is a crustless sandwich on delicate white bread, costs slightly more than $2. The store sells a variety of products.

I recommend tasting the egg salad sandwich, which is perhaps the most popular item on the menu. In addition to typical options such as ham or turkey with lettuce and cheese, additional sandwich options include pork cutlets and chicken teriyaki with egg.

If you’re craving something sweet, 7-Elevens in this area also serve fruit-and-cream sandwiches with seasonal fillings.

I recommend matching the strawberry-and-cream flavor with sweet and salty lemon crisps and royal milk tea, a classic beverage often prepared with Assam or Darjeeling tea leaves.

Bento boxes are perfect for a quick and delicious meal.

Bento boxes are one of my favorite options for a fast lunch.

Nickelle Tilley

Bento is a portable meal, and Japanese 7-Elevens provide an extensive selection of them. If you’re looking for an inexpensive dinner on the road, a bento box is the best choice.

There are curry, ramen, soba noodles, and rice bento boxes topped with eggs, tofu, chicken, and beef cutlets at the 7-Elevens in this area.

Even at checkout, cashiers ask customers whether they would want their bento boxes heated so that their food is ready to eat when they depart.

Try the fried food by the cash register.

In Japan, the fried food sold at 7-Eleven is excellent and affordable.

Nickelle Tilley

You cannot leave this 7-Eleven without sampling one of the small meals displayed beside the register.

With justification, fried chicken is a highly popular meal item. The corn dog, which comes with a small plastic jug of ketchup and mustard, is another favorite of mine.

Both the fried chicken and corndog are priced at approximately $1, a remarkable value.

The confections are one of my favorite things about 7-Elevens in Japan.

The 7-Eleven chocolate cake is one of my favorite treats.

Nickelle Tilley

Those with a sweet craving can choose from an abundance of pudding, pastries, cakes, candies, and ice cream. The stores also provide an outstanding selection of frozen desserts.

Coolish “drinkable” ice cream in a pouch is a popular option and one of my personal favorites. When you live on a tropical island as hot as Okinawa, Coolish is a convenient and mess-free snack.

If ice cream is not your preferred dessert, you have many other possibilities.

I suggest trying one of Japan’s unique KitKat flavors, such as salt-lemon. Or, you can choose a slice of cookie-crusted cheesecake or a thick slice of chocolate cake, which is surprisingly gooey and moist for a boxed dessert.

Also available for less than $5 is a reasonably nutritious dinner containing greens.

In Japan, there are an abundance of salads at 7-Eleven.

Nickelle Tilley

When I need a vacation from 7-Eleven’s sweets and fried foods, I can find an abundance of fresh-tasting, nutritious alternatives a few aisles over.

I can purchase a crisp salad loaded with toppings for less than $4. The greens would go well with one of the store’s mixed fruit bags and a lemon-lime drink.

The bakery section offers bread, baked items, and sandwiches at room temperature.

The 7-Eleven carried a bun containing a sausage.

Nickelle Tilley

In the bakery section of the store, you will find sweet and savory breads as well as various baked delicacies.

I’ve also observed that 7-Elevens in this area sell room-temperature sausage on a bun with corn and mayonnaise.

Individual portions of seasoned beef or fish are available.

In Japan, I enjoy discovering new cuisines and items at 7-Eleven.

Nickelle Tilley

I appreciate that the 7-Elevens in our area offer individually packaged and pre-seasoned meat and fish pieces.

By adding the protein to rice, lettuce, or noodles, you can truly customize your meal.

Every time I visit 7-Eleven, I encounter exciting new foods, and I’m still working up the guts to taste them.

In Japan, the 7-Eleven carried packages of quail eggs and smoked squid.

Nickelle Tilley

I can always rely on my grocery shopping excursions here to be an adventure that introduces me to new cuisines and flavors.

Even though many of the snacks and foods I see here are popular in Japan and other countries, I am nonetheless unfamiliar with them. However, I intend to soon venture out of my comfort zone and sample the packaged quail eggs and smoked squid from my local 7-Eleven.