THE common stereotypes for Japan say it’s a clean, orderly and efficient country – and this extends to their convenience stores, including the globally commonplace 7-Eleven.
Canadian journalist Devin Heroux has experienced this firsthand as he stays in Tokyo to cover the 2021 Olympics for the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
7-Eleven at the hotel.
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 18, 2021
Have a feeling I’ll be spending a lot of time and money here. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/Lj3D2jXeHA
Iced coffee heaven at the 7-Eleven #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/auf5WS4j7M
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 18, 2021
7-Eleven latte for the win.
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 18, 2021
Really good. This is good. Caffeine! #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/smIl4vL29z
In addition to morningtime pilgrimages for coffee, Devin returns to the 7-Eleven for snacks, dessert, and even dinner.
Tonight’s dinner!
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 19, 2021
7-11 special. Apparently the Egg Salad Sandwiches are exquisite.
And mayonnaise flavoured potato snacks because why the hell not? #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/ANnKADHOe4
7-11 DESSERT FOR THE WIN!
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 20, 2021
Chocolate, almond crush, Pocky. Biscuit sticks covered in chocolate.
Took this photo and am now devouring. Don’t buy them. You can’t eat just a few. They’re absolutely perfect. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/ee7WrkusV8
Eventually the cheeky corner shop musings gained the attention of Japanese Twitter users who translated his tweets for a growing local fanbase.
カナダの記者さん、開会式が終わった後のツイートが、
— 風のハルキゲニア (@hkazano) July 23, 2021
「2時になっても7-11開いてるかなあ。枝豆チップスと卵サンド食べたい」
「バスに乗ってるけど7-11行きたい」
「バスを降りた。7-11に歩いてる」
「7-11。あなたなしでは何もできない」
どれだけ7-11好きなんだ。 pic.twitter.com/9chz5jZX27
Some of their responses include:
- “7-Eleven stores are incredibly different overseas, so I totally get this reporter’s reaction!”
- “This makes me proud to be Japanese!”
- “7-Eleven is truly God-like. Thank you for appreciating the convenience store!”
They, and other fans, lived vicariously through Devin's tweets as he pursued a late night meal at a 7-Eleven.
What are the chances 7-11 is open at 2am?
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 23, 2021
I’m really craving those edamame chips and an egg salad sandwich. #Tokyo2020
At 2am in Tokyo.
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 23, 2021
Just got off the bus.
Walking to 7-11. Those golden gates better be open. #Tokyo2020
7-11. What would I do without you.
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 23, 2021
After 18 hours of Olympic coverage, 2:10am in Tokyo, the door still opens. The shelves restocked.
What a place. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/LPhJbVBrEn
Dinner has been served.
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 24, 2021
Chicken, Mayonnaise Onigiri
Fried noodles, bonito and sauce
Edamame chips because I love them
And Pocari Sweat because I’m dehydrated.
The Olympic 7/11 diet of champions. pic.twitter.com/joqqEVJKIN
At the end of the day, Devin is just as surprised as anyone about his newfound social media fame.
I certainly did not think my Olympic coverage from Tokyo would include hundreds, maybe thousands now, waiting on my reports from 7/11.
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 24, 2021
But these are strange days. And it’s fun to feel part of the community when we can’t be part of the community. #Tokyo2020
In these Covid times, travel is no longer possible for many and living through someone else's experience is the best that any of us can do. Devin Heroux's tweets are a reminder that while we have many of our own 7-Eleven's, perusing the goods at a location in Japan is a different experience. Here's hoping we may enjoy an iced coffee from a Japanese 7-Eleven at some point. – The Vibes, July 27, 2021
