Seijo Ishii — Supermarket in Roppongi, Tokyo

This is a branch of Seijo Ishii, tucked into Azabujuban in Roppongi and a short walk from Roppongi station. What sets it apart from other branches is the hours: it never closes, so the shelves are there whenever you surface from the subway or finish work late.

The deli and prepared food section is what you walk in for. Marinated dishes and upscale sides fill the counter, sized for a quick dinner rather than a full cook, and the bento boxes carry fuller ingredients than a convenience-store version. An attached butcher sells meat by the slice, which is unusual for the chain.

Beyond the counter, the shelves lean imported: sweets and chocolates to browse, and a wine and cheese selection broad enough to put together a pairing with snacks. Seasonal items and less common ingredients turn up too, which makes a slow lap of the aisles worthwhile.

The store is compact, and shelf stocking can block the aisles. There are only a few registers, so a line forms. Evening discounts on some items are worth timing a visit around.

Prices run higher than a regular supermarket on some items, which is the trade-off for the convenience and the prepared food. For a late meal, a picnic spread, or a browse through imported snacks and wine, the branch does its job well.