Convenience stores are practically lifelines these days, whether you're in Taiwan or Japan. They're essential for everything from grabbing a quick bite to stocking up on daily necessities, not to mention the endless services they offer.
Recently, a Japanese netizen on X (formerly Twitter) stumbled upon a baffling discovery: a massive chunk of Japan's Kii Peninsula is completely devoid of 7-Eleven stores! This left them scratching their heads, wondering how on earth people manage to live without such a convenient staple.
The Kii Peninsula encompasses western Aichi Prefecture (southwest Nagoya, Tobishima Village, Yatomi City, Kanie Town), Mie Prefecture (excluding northern Inabe City and northern Kuwana City), Nara Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, and central-south Osaka Prefecture (south of Osaka City and Higashiosaka City). A significant portion of this area is the Yoshino-Kumano National Park, a stunning tourist destination where nature and history intertwine, famous for the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes.
The original poster, who shared the map, even quipped, "I've touched the forbidden, and now that I know, well..." a playful nod to the area's mysterious allure.
So, what's the real deal? Other netizens quickly chimed in, clarifying that while 7-Eleven might be absent, the area isn't a total retail wasteland. There are still FamilyMart and LAWSON convenience stores, along with local supermarkets like OKUWA and Yamazaki Shoten. Granted, they're a bit more spread out, but it's not as dire as it sounds. It just seems 7-Eleven hasn't set up shop there.
Netizens reassured everyone that while "no 7-Eleven" might sound like a nightmare, having LAWSON and other options means residents are doing just fine, thank you very much!
Another user pulled out a map to explain: that "entire block without 7-Eleven" on the Kii Peninsula? That's the Yoshino-Kumano National Park! It's practically uninhabited, pure mountainous terrain with zero lights at night. Good luck trying to put a convenience store there, LOL!
This whole kerfuffle just goes to show how many unique quirks Japan's vast regions still hold, often baffling folks from other areas. The idea of a place "without 7-Eleven" might make some wonder how people survive, but rest assured, they're doing perfectly fine!