When it comes to Japanese convenience stores, the top three convenience store chains — Lawson, Family Mart and 7-Eleven — tend to get worldwide attention, but locals know there are hidden secrets to be found in some of the nation’s smaller chains.
Take New Days, for example. This convenience store chain is run by East Japan Railway Company, commonly known as JR East, so branches are limited to the railway company’s stations and platforms. Recently, though, a new two-story branch has appeared just outside the east exit at Tokyo’s Iidabashi Station, and there you’ll be able to drink as if you’re at a bar.
▼ The noren curtain below invites customers up to the second floor with the message, “エキでチョイ飲み” (eki de choi nomi), which means “A little drink at the station”.
This particular New Days only opened on March 16, making it one of the newest branches in town. When our reporter P.K. Sanjun stumbled upon it by accident last week, he was immediately drawn to the bright lights of the store, stepping inside to find some interesting options on the first floor, like meals cooked in-store, freshly baked bread, and side dishes from famous local establishments.
▼ All these options are perfect for taking up to the bar level in the second floor.
Drinking at the station eases the stress of making your way to the station before the last train home, so the new New Days branch is the perfect place for a bar. Not only is the location great — the prices are great too, because you can get a freshly poured jug of draft beer for just 300 yen.
Once you pay for the beer with staff on the first floor, where you can buy food items as well, you’ll be given a cup, which you then place on the server in the machine upstairs and it’ll automatically be poured for you.
Before you get into the area, though, you’ll need to scan your receipt at the gate — no drinks purchase, no entry.
Stepping through the gate like a VIP, P.K. poured himself a beer and found himself a seat by the window. From here, he was able to relax and watch the traffic go by as he nibbled on his light meal and sipped on his beer, which was delicious and refreshing.
Once you finish your beer, you don’t even have to go downstairs for another drink, as there’s a sake and wine server in the corner. Simply grab a cup from the side, place it under the drink spout of your choice, insert coins and pour.
▼ Smokers can make use of an enclosed heated smoking area on this level as well.
With such a full range of facilities right at the station, this New Days is sure to become very popular with commuters. The second-floor bar is a fantastic option for those who want to enjoy a drink after work without having to spend a lot on food, like they might at an izakaya tavern.
After enjoying a drink and a bite to eat at the New Days bar, P.K. is now hoping the chain will add similar facilities to its other locations throughout Tokyo.
Store Location
New Days Iidabashi East Exit store / ニューデイズ飯田橋東口店
Address: Tokyo-to, Chiyoda-ku, Iidabashi4-10-1
東京都千代田区飯田橋4-10-1
Photos © SoraNews24
Read more stories from SoraNews24.
-- Onikun: Epic onigiri so big they’re half demon, half rice ball
-- All-you-can drink deal in Japan puts the self-serve drinks machine right on your table
-- For adults only: Ice Monster to offer alcoholic shaved ice that looks exactly like a beer mug
© SoraNews24
16 Comments
Login to comment
kurisupisu
Seems a bit lonely and miserable to me
Yrral
Tokyo do have megamart ,our city have Walmart and Sam's in the same area,the Walmart is about 3 Football fields long,our population is about one thousand of the population of Tokyo
falseflagsteve
japantime
Oooh, that’s interesting isn’t it. Here the train stations all have 7/11 now except for Kintetsu which has Family Mart
Japantime
I’ve seen self service beer in this chain of convenience stores for years. It is right next to the coffee one.
Elvis is here
Like I said. What could possibly go wrong.
Plenty of scotch eggs and sausage rolls up here.
Jtsnose
Alcohol . . . tobacco, . . . please don't lose sight of of health consciousness
falseflagsteve
Bet they don’t sell sausage rolls or scotch eggs, lol
Anyway this doesn’t effect me as I live in Osaka you see, always places to get drinks 24/7, he he what am I like.
Ah_so
Excellent - what's not to like?
smithinjapan
Just what we need here -- most alcoholism! Let me guess... after you are dead drunk on your way home from the mandatory enkai and after party, you can still go here and drink more.
SDCA
During the pandemic, many restaurants closed down selling their assets during the process. I was lucky to be able to buy a used Hoshizaki beer tap machine for under 20,000 yen. The machine worked well, cooled the beer without the need to have the keg in a refrigerator. After some time though, I learned the hard way that having convenient alcohol always available isn't going to help with your depression so I sold the thing and feel much better after doing so.
Lord of the Underground.
Read the article again and you will be able to see the difference between a pub a convenience store.
Mickelicious
A hamster wheel pitstop with all the charm of a washlet WC.
Daninthepan
We've had them for years in the UK, they are called pubs.
Hervé L'Eisa
Sounds like a great idea! If I still had to venture into Tokyo frequently, I'd like to enjoy this establishment!
Elvis is here
What could possibly go wrong?
dagon
Japam does excel in making the sedative of alcohol as convenient as possible for the populace.