The first week in Tokyo was truly overwhelming. Even taking the train by myself seemed scary at first. I was thinking, what if I get lost in this huge city? I had no sim card to call someone and taking a cab would’ve been out of the question considering the price… But I couldn’t stay inside all the time so I started by exploring the surroundings of my dorm. As a well known Japanese proverb says 千里の道も一歩から senri no michi mo ippo kara “Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step“.
I landed in a konbini or Japanese convenience store for the first time. I think in Tokyo you can find one per square meter, that’s how popular they are in Japan… No, actually I found out that the total number of konbini in Japan is that of 40,000 and I could write an entire post just about how much I love konbini and how convenient they actually are, but maybe later.
The great variety of products in all shapes and colors, the heaven of Japanese sweets, matcha latte, coffee, bento lunch boxes, everything I could ever wish for. But there was this one product which I was desperately in need of and couldn’t find: SUGAR. I looked here and there, but seeing that I can’t find it, I asked one of the employees there to help me. He got out from the cash register and showed three kinds of sugar to me. Later he remembered another kind of sugar that was in a different place and came to show that one to me as well. He was just too nice! It was my first experience with the great Japanese customer service so I couldn’t help but admire it. From there on, there were many similar experiences I’ve had in Japanese convenience stores and not only. Hotel staff, waitresses, shop assistants, they were always with a big smile on their faces, willing to help customers with anything they needed. Never showing even a sign of boredom. I truly came to understand the meaning of the Japanese proverb お客様は神様だ okyaku sama wa kami sama da-“Our customer is our lord” or “The customer is always right”.
