I live in South Korea now, but I’m actually from a super rural area in Hokkaido. Looking back, I realize that my life at the convenience store back then really changed my life.

コンビニが生命線だった田舎時代

My parents' house is in a really remote area—it takes about 30 minutes by car just to get to the nearest supermarket. 😅 The convenience store was our only link to civilization. At first, I just thought of it as a place to buy food, but I gradually started to realize just how much more there is to convenience stores.

My mornings always start with a fresh cup of coffee from 7-Eleven. Ever since this became a habit, my mornings have gotten way easier. I don’t have time to make coffee at home, and buying it at the convenience store just helps me switch gears, I guess.

Also, convenience stores in Hokkaido have quite a few region-exclusive products, right? I was going to different ones every day specifically to find those, and before I knew it, I’d visited every single convenience store in my neighborhood, lol.

コンビニ中心の生活リズムができた

On weekdays, I check out new products while I’m out buying coffee in the morning. For lunch, it’s either a bento box or bread; for dinner, it’s either prepared foods or cup noodles. Once I started getting everything done at the convenience store, the stress of shopping really went down to zero.

Convenience stores are absolutely a godsend, especially in Hokkaido during the winter. They’re within walking distance even when it’s snowing, and since they’re open 24 hours a day, it’s reassuring to know they’re there no matter what. Whether I’m feeling a little hungry late at night or suddenly realize I need something, just knowing there’s a convenience store nearby makes a huge difference in how at ease I feel.

I’ve kept up this habit since coming to Korea, and I find Korean convenience stores interesting—they’re different from the ones in Japan. CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven—each has its own unique charm, which is refreshing ✨

To be honest, when I was living in the countryside in Hokkaido, I used to think, “There’s nothing but convenience stores,” but looking back now, I realize how lucky I was just to have them. Thanks to having fully embraced convenience store culture, I feel like I’ve gotten really good at establishing a daily routine no matter where I live.

Unlike in the city, at convenience stores in the countryside you get to know the clerks personally, so it really felt like a part of daily life. That brings back memories~