7-Eleven — Konbini in Roppongi, Tokyo

This is one branch of the 7-Eleven chain, on Azabujuban in Roppongi, and what sets it apart is simply that it never closes. Walk in at any hour and the shelves are stocked the same way, which matters most at breakfast time when you are heading out for the day.

The egg sandwich is the one to reach for first: soft, fresh, and made to be eaten on the move. The fruit sandwiches, strawberry and mixed, are the other breakfast item worth knowing. Onigiri rounds out the morning routine, and the prepared salads, seaweed tofu and picked cucumbers among them, give you something fresh and flavorful alongside the rice.

A fresh smoothie is blended at the counter in front of you, which is a small thing that makes the stop feel less like a shelf grab. The staff are friendly and efficient, and the store runs on the usual konbini rhythm: grab what you need, pay, and go.

Queues build up and the lines get long and chaotic, so if you are catching a train, allow a few extra minutes at the till rather than dashing in at the last moment. Snacks and bento sit in the ¥200 to ¥1,000 band, which keeps a quick meal cheap.

For a traveler based in Roppongi, this branch works as the default for breakfast, a late snack, or a bottle of something before bed. It is a convenience store doing what a convenience store should, at an address that never shuts.