I Just Really Need A Safe Place To Talk About Japanese 7-Elevens

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With the Tokyo Olympics coming up, I thought I'd revisit one of my favorite things: Japanese 7-Elevens.

a 7 eleven in japan
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If you've ever been to Japan, then you know there's basically a 7-Eleven on every corner. We're not talking about your basic American 7-Eleven.

the outside of a 7/11
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It's elevated.

the outside of a 7/11
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And while on the outside, a Japanese 7-Eleven looks like every other 7-Eleven you've ever been to — it's the inside that is totally and completely different.

  Matt Stopera/BuzzFeed
Matt Stopera/BuzzFeed

The thing about Japanese 7-Elevens, in general, is that for people from outside of Japan, there's basically an unlimited selection of things you've never tried.

the inside of a busy 7/11
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Everything is new.

Let's start with the ice cream. The selection is unmatched.

many kinds of frozen ice creams
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They've truly "cracked the code."

My personal favorite is this one called "Coolish." It's basically a juice box...but with ice cream.

a ice cream called coolish
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Another cool thing about Japanese 7-Elevens is that you can buy liquor there.

a selection of liquor bottles
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They have beers in a variety of sizes.

a group of asahi beers
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

I mean, look how small that lil' beer is!

a tiny lil beer

It's also about $1.

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They have individual cups of sake...

cups of sake
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...alcoholic juice boxes...

a juicebox full of alcohol
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...my personal favorite, "Strong," which is basically Sparks...

holding a strong

...and last but not least, Zima.

Yes, you can still buy Zima in Japan.

Yes, you can still buy Zima in Japan.

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The non-alcoholic drinks are equally as interesting.

Pro tip: Mix the Fresca ginger ale with whiskey and you have a fabulous cocktail.

Pro tip: Mix the Fresca ginger ale with whiskey and you have a fabulous cocktail.

Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

I wish I had more pictures of the beverage refrigerators, because honestly, they are my favorite.

They sell a ton of Pocky...

strawberry pocky
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...very cute salt shakers...

it has a panda face
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...salad dressings in interesting containers...

they look like dildos
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...adorable pineapple sauces...

...ketchup in a tube...

its in a tube
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...and snacks you could only dream existed.

croissant chocolate salt caramel
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They have avocado chips!

  Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

Teeny tiny beef jerkies!

a teeny tiny beef jerkey
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Adorable desserts!

Fun puddings!

Cheese in a bag!

  Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

Candy cheese!

its calle candy cheese

I never tried this, but I'm still intrigued.

Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

The Cup Noodle selection will make the average gamer/college student shake.

a bunch of cup of noodles
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

They sell real produce, like full-on shrooms.

a big mushroom
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

And look at this mayonnaise. Even the mayonnaise is cute.

cute mayo
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

The prepared food section is a whole other adventure.

Like, the meals are quality and legit.

  Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

They sell individual hard-boiled eggs. And no, these aren't your months-old hard-boiled eggs you buy at gas stations. These are fresh eggs with beautiful golden yolks.

a golden egg in a hand
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They sell soba noodles...

soba noodles
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...packaged meats...

salmon
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...and they have normal junk food like chicken nuggets.

chicken nuggets
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Apparently, they even have the best corn dogs.

The secret best part of Japanese 7-Eleven is the refrigerator full of little bottles of remedies.

That one is specifically for hangovers, and it's a lifesaver.

That one is specifically for hangovers, and it's a lifesaver.

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They don't sell just food at Japanese 7-Elevens — they also sell clothing and home goods.

  Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

They sell these cool little beard groomers...

a tiny brush
Matt Stopera / BuzzFeed

...a selection of face masks that beauty addicts swear by...

a selection of face masks
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

...flashy handkerchiefs...

a floral print
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

...big ol' bags of shampoo...

  Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

...Hello Kitty diaries...

a hello kitty journal
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

...adorable boxes of tissues...

it says bow and has a cute picture of a dog
Peggy Wang/BuzzFeed

...and United States of Benetton condoms.

rainbow condoms
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To sum it up, you could basically live in a Japanese 7-Eleven.

a 7/11
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Because last but not least, they even have free Wi-Fi.

a japan 7 eleven
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