You probably know the big three Japanese convenience store chains Seven Eleven, Family Mart and Lawson. But did you also know that there is a variation of Lawson called Natural Lawson?

In this article, I explore the following five goods and services which could be of interest to newcomers and seasoned veterans: printing documents and photos; quick cash withdrawals; picking up packages; paying a wide variety of bills; and, of course, food and drink.

Plenty has been written of the exceptional customer service in Japan. Truly, Japanese retail workers treat us like royalty! But what about the other side of these interactions? How does it feel to be the one behind the register?

5 awesome bookstores in Tokyo. In addition, all of these bookstores have something else to offer besides a large selection of Japanese books, whether that be English language press, a tasty cafe, an outside terrace, or an impressive children’s area.

For days when you’re in the area and in the mood for something different, Akiba is also home to many low-key spaces where you can enjoy the other parts of Tokyo’s consumption landscape, such as clothes and accessory shopping, fancy restaurants, and bookstores. In this article, I suggest five spaces to head to when searching for a different vibe in Akihabara.

What does this mean for the Costco membership-card-carrying traveller? You will be able to enter and purchase items at all of these 26 warehouses with your existing Costco membership card, no matter the country of issue.

Modern life is geared towards convenience. In the West, we like everything to be easily accessible, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Japan is no different. Let’s focus on one specific aspect: convenience stores. Here’s how Japan is getting it oh so right.

The moment you venture into the infoshop, be prepared to gaze upon reams of posters, books, “zines,” t-shirts, and other goods that favor countercultural ideas. From anarchist thinkers such as Mikhail Bakunin to early Japanese nonconformists like Noe Ito and Kotoku Shusui, you’ll find something to sink your political teeth into without much trouble.

Manga Souko is a chain of second hand stores found throughout Japan. Touted as a “recycle store”, they buy and sell games, DVDs, manga, books, clothing, furniture, toys, decor, textiles, musical instruments, leisure equipment, electronics, and collectibles. With stores located in the Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa regions, you aren’t too far away from experiencing one of these magical places.

If you have been living in Japan or traveling the country, you are very familiar with the 100 yen stores called Daiso. You can get anything here. It is a paradise of abundance. But maybe you have found yourself frustrated with the number of times you had to run back here because the purchased item repeatedly broke.

You will find power tools, gas torches, multi-purpose folding knives, and all the usual goodies found in hardware stores anywhere in the world. But as always there are subtle cultural differences. What kinds of cultural differences can you expect in these hardware stores?

Japanese candies are famous world-wide, so when I first came to Japan I thought that I knew a lot about Japan’s various snacks. Little did I know that there are so many delicious shapes and flavors that tasting every one can be a thrilling adventure.