KEY TAKEAWAY

• A day in the life of Michael Machida living and working in Japan from America

• Japanese convenience stores sell more than fast food like in America

• Japanese convenience stores are a one stop shop for just about anything you need

• Learn English with Michael's Travels Around Japan

• Learn Japanese With Akiko from Tokyo, Japan Japanese Lessons with TheJEGroup!

Michael Goes To A Japanese Convenience Store!

Daniel TJ International Correspondent Tokyo, Japan

Michael (enters the store, eyes scanning the shelves):

(to himself)
Wow, look at all these bento boxes… so many choices. Hmm, what’s the difference between karaage and menchi-katsu again?

Ayaka (noticing him pause near the prepared food section):
(smiling brightly)
Good morning! Can I help you find something?

Michael (smiling, a bit relieved):
Oh! Good morning. Thank you. I’m just trying to decide which bento to get. Everything looks so good.

Ayaka (nodding with a cheerful tone):
Ah, yes. We have many! Bento is very popular. You want meat? Or fish? Or maybe okonomiyaki?

Michael:
I think I’ve had karaage before, right? Fried chicken?

Ayaka (gently pointing):
Yes, this one. Karaage. Very juicy! And here, this is menchi-katsu—ground meat cutlet. More soft. Also fried.

Michael:
Ah, menchi-katsu! That’s the one I forgot. I don’t think I’ve tried it yet.

Ayaka (tilting her head playfully):
Then maybe today is the day! Would you like to try it?

Michael (chuckling):
Maybe I should. It looks pretty good. By the way, your English is very clear. Are you studying?

Ayaka (smiling modestly):
Thank you! Yes, I like English. I study a little every day. I want to travel someday. Maybe Canada or Australia.

Michael:
That’s great! I’m from the U.S., but I’ve been living in Japan for a while now. Still learning the language, though!

Ayaka (encouragingly):
That’s so cool! You’re doing well. Japanese is very hard, I think.

Michael (smiling):
Yes, especially kanji! But I’m trying. I come to this store often because it helps me learn food words.

Ayaka:
That’s a good idea! If you like, I can tell you some words when you come.

Michael:
Really? That would be fantastic. Like a mini Japanese lesson with lunch!

Ayaka (giggling):
Yes! Bento and Nihongo setto!

Michael (laughing):
Perfect. So today’s lesson: menchi-katsu. What’s the kanji for that?

Ayaka (pulling out a marker and writing on a small piece of packaging):
メンチカツ – we use katakana because it’s a Western-style food. But “katsu” comes from “katsuretsu” – from English "cutlet."

Michael:
Ah, interesting. I didn’t know that. Thanks, Ayaka-san.

Ayaka:
You're welcome, Michael-san! Do you want rice or bread with it?

Michael:
Hmm… I usually get rice. But I saw something that looked like noodles? Yakisoba?

Ayaka:
Yes! We have bento with yakisoba too. Or okonomiyaki with yakisoba – very Osaka-style.

Michael:
Ah, okonomiyaki… that’s the savory pancake, right?

Ayaka (enthusiastically):
Yes! Cabbage, flour, egg, sometimes pork or seafood. Sauce is sweet and rich. Want to try one?

Michael:
You’re making it hard to decide now. Maybe I’ll buy two meals and save one for later.

Ayaka (smiling):
That’s a good idea. Okonomiyaki is good even cold. Or warm in microwave.

Michael:
Okay, I’ll go with the menchi-katsu and the okonomiyaki. Lunch and dinner sorted.

Ayaka (putting both into a bag):
I put chopsticks and a napkin inside. Do you need a microwave sticker?

Michael:
Yes, please. That’s helpful. And maybe a small bottle of tea too?

Ayaka:
We have many kinds! Green tea, roasted tea, or sweet tea?

Michael:
Let’s try roasted tea today. Hōjicha, right?

Ayaka (nodding):
Yes! Hōjicha is good with fried food. Not too strong.

Michael:
Great. You’re really good at helping customers, Ayaka-san. Very patient and kind.

Ayaka (blushing a little, but happy):
Thank you! I like talking with people. And it’s fun to practice English.

Michael:
Well, I’ll be back again soon, and I’ll teach you a little English if you teach me a little Japanese.

Ayaka:
Deal! Let’s study together, one word every day.

Michael:
Sounds perfect. Today’s word in English: “Cutlet.”

Ayaka (repeating slowly):
Cut-let. Okay! And in Japanese: “Katsu.” We both learn.

Michael:
Exactly. Thanks again. I’ll see you soon, Ayaka-san.

Ayaka:
Have a nice lunch, Michael-san! Mata ne!

Michael (leaving with a smile):
Mata ne!

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