InquirerHybrid rice seeds bring bumper harvests for Agusan del Sur farmersDaily MaverickUganda imposes 21-day quarantine on citizens returning from CongoESPN DeportesCruz Azul acaricia la Liguilla tras gran triunfo en QuerétaroESPNSeahawks dominate to hand Chiefs first loss of seasonThe Jerusalem PostBolsonaro refuses to concede, says he will seek annulment of Brazil voteGIGAZINE皮膚がんの見分け勝負で最新の汎用AIが10年前のAIに敗北ZDF heuteEntdecken Sie das ZDF-NachrichtenstudioAntara NewsGovt prepares scheme for MSME involvement in free meal programThe Sydney Morning HeraldDickson wows America with AFL-style puntSözcüFlavio Bolsonaro seçim sonuçlarını tanımadı: İptal talep edecekABC News (Australia)Second death increases call for action on health system in 'crisis'El ComercioTemblor en Perú: últimos sismos reportados este lunes 26 de octubre
The Daily Newsstand · Free, Always
Monday, October 26, 2026

Convenience stores, toilets and the allure of everyday Japan

Translate
Famima Park Azabudai is a concept store by FamilyMart that combines convenience store staples with branded apparel, merchandise and a landscaped outdoor space.

Famima Park Azabudai is a concept store by FamilyMart that combines convenience store staples with branded apparel, merchandise and a landscaped outdoor space. | COLLAGE BY ANNA PETEK/ PHOTOS: ANNA PETEK, GETTY IMAGES

Oct 26, 2026

At Famima Park Azabudai, tourists flock to experience a decidedly Japanese institution: the konbini (convenience store). But this particular location offers more than the usual shelves of snacks and drinks.

The latest FamilyMart concept, which opened in July, pairs everyday goods with branded clothing, merchandise featuring the shop’s mascot, and a polished setting complete with rooftop landscaping and whimsical outdoor seating. Beaming staff wear crisp mint green uniforms.

FamilyMart has also turned to pop culture to attract younger consumers. Last month, singer Lady Gaga appeared in a recruitment ad set at Famima Park, serving fried chicken and restocking bottled tea.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information,
quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

View the original on The Japan Times →

KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.