The Japanese Convenience Store NPR recently reported that U.S. convenience stores may soon look a lot more like Japan’s konbini—24/7 shops that have become part of the country’s infrastructure. In Japan, these stores aren’t just about snacks. Fresh meals arrive several times a day, but you can also pay utility bills and taxes, buy concert or museum tickets, or even ship a suitcase across the country—all under one roof. That’s what makes them so different. For locals, konbini complement post offices and service counters, giving them more places to handle everyday tasks at all hours. For travelers, they’re lifelines. At first glance, a konbini looks like any corner shop in the U.S.—the kind of place you’d stop for gas, a lotto ticket, or a bag of hot Cheetos. But here’s the real contrast: would you ever expect good food from a gas station? Would you pay your taxes there, or trust them with your luggage? The answer back home is obvious: no. In Japan, the answer is yes to all of the ab...