Welcome back to JapanTodayy! In this episode, Hana and Yuki take a quick break and stop at a Japanese konbini — a convenience store that’s anything but basic. Whether it’s buying snacks, paying bills, or printing documents, konbini are a big part of Japanese daily life.
Today’s episode teaches you how to ask for items, pay, and use basic phrases while shopping in a store — all super practical for travelers and learners alike!
🏪 Scene Summary
Hana and Yuki head into a konbini near Shibuya Station. They pick out some snacks and drinks, and Hana even asks the clerk for help finding something. Then they go to the register, where Yuki uses a prepaid IC card to pay. Through this scene, you’ll learn common phrases for buying, asking, and paying in Japanese.
🗣️ Episode Dialogue
| Character | Japanese | English | Korean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hana | お腹すいた〜。コンビニに寄ろう？ | I’m hungry~ Let’s stop by a konbini? | 배고파~ 편의점 들를까? |
| Yuki | いいね！おにぎり食べたい。 | Sounds good! I want a rice ball. | 좋다! 오니기리 먹고 싶어. |
| Hana | すみません、アイスはどこですか？ | Excuse me, where’s the ice cream? | 저기요, 아이스크림 어디예요? |
| 店員 | あちらの冷凍ケースにございます。 | It’s in the freezer case over there. | 저기 냉동 코너에 있어요. |
| Yuki | あ、これにしよう！ | Ah, I’ll take this one! | 아, 이걸로 하자! |
| 店員 | お会計、600円になります。 | That’ll be 600 yen. | 계산은 600엔입니다. |
| Yuki | Suicaでお願いします。 | I’ll pay with Suica, please. | 스이카로 할게요. |
| 店員 | はい、ありがとうございます。 | Sure, thank you very much. | 네, 감사합니다. |
📚 Vocabulary Boost
- お腹すいた (onaka suita) – I’m hungry
- 寄る (yoru) – to stop by
- おにぎり (onigiri) – rice ball
- 冷凍ケース (reitou keesu) – freezer case
- お会計 (okaikei) – bill/total
- Suica – a prepaid IC card used for trains and shopping
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🎯 Grammar Focus: Polite Store Phrases
- 〜はどこですか？ – Where is ~? アイスはどこですか？ (Where’s the ice cream?)
- 〜でお願いします – I’d like to use ~ Suicaでお願いします (I’ll pay with Suica)
These phrases are essential for polite, functional communication in shops, cafés, or even train stations.
🧊 Cultural Tip: What Makes Konbini Special?
Japanese convenience stores are famous worldwide for being clean, efficient, and incredibly convenient. You can find:
- Hot meals, fresh snacks, and amazing sweets
- ATMs, bill pay, ticketing, and even copy/print services
- Friendly, fast service with lots of respect and politeness
Konbini brands like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson are open 24/7 and located everywhere — so learning how to use basic Japanese in these stores can really enhance your stay!
Thanks for joining us for Episode 6! You now know how to buy food, ask for help, and pay at a convenience store like a pro.
🎥 Next time in Episode 7: “Visiting a Shrine (神社へ)”
Hana and Yuki take a quiet walk to a local shrine — and we’ll explore Japanese customs like praying, bowing, and omikuji (fortune slips)!
- 🎮 Episode 123: “The Place Not on the Map”
- 🎮 Episode 122: “The Teacup with Her Name”
- 🎮 Episode 121: “Echoes from the Bell Tower”
- 🎮 Episode 120: “Rain on the Window, Light in the Heart”
- 🎮 Episode 119: “The Drawer Beneath the Stairs”
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