Japan's grocery stores take center stage at the Olympics

8 impressive records set at Tokyo 2020 1:06

(CNN) -

Tokyo is considered one of the world's top food cities, attracting travelers from around the globe who spend their days trying famous Japanese dishes, from sushi to ramen.

But for those who flew into the city to compete or work in the Tokyo Olympics, most local restaurants are banned.

While Japan is still closed to international travelers, athletes, coaches and journalists authorized to enter the country for the Games must follow a strict set of security rules.

In addition, they are not allowed to leave the vicinity of their accommodation for a period of 14 days, unless approved by an exception.

This is what the Olympic Games look like from space 0:59

Fortunately, Japan's 24-hour convenience stores, many of which are attached to hotels, are arguably the best in the world, offering an incredible variety of food and beverages.

Ask anyone who has traveled to Japan and they will probably have a story about a memorable visit to a konbini, the shortened name for grocery stores in Japanese.

advertising

• PHOTOS |

  Latinos with medal at the Tokyo Olympics

Grocery stores were in the spotlight at the Tokyo Olympics not only for their great deals, but also for their excellent customer service, thanks to a series of social media posts from journalists and athletes.

The 7-Eleven case

One such example: 7-Eleven came to the rescue after a sports reporter for Canada's CBC network in Tokyo asked for help on his Twitter account.

The problem?

I wanted to learn the correct way to unwrap a package of onigiri, a Japanese rice ball.

The post, which features a video of Anastasia Bucsis in which she can't open her onigiri without breaking the outer algae, has achieved more than 8,000 likes and has been retweeted more than 34,000 times since it was posted on July 27.

Glorious and surprising moments in Tokyo 2020 1:19

In response, 7-Eleven Japan posted an instructional video explaining the correct way to open the cleverly designed packages on their Twitter account.

"Today, we would like to introduce you to how to open a package of rice ball film for customers visiting Japan from abroad," the publication says.

＼ # セ ブ ン の 豆 知識 ／

海外 か ら の お 客 様 の た め に 、 本 日 は き れ い に 取 り 出 せ る お に ぎ り 🍙 の 開 け 方 を ご 紹 介 し ま す 👍✨

Today, we would like to introduce how to open a package film of rice ball for the customers who are visiting Japan from overseas.🍙 pic.twitter.com/LXnuE8Qx6U

- セ ブ ン - イ レ ブ ン ・ ジ ャ パ ン (@ ​​711SEJ) July 29, 2021

The "salvation" for another journalist

Devin Heroux, another CBC journalist, delighted many Japanese by documenting his discovery of a 7-Eleven next to the hotel where he is staying.

"Now, having never been to Japan before, I didn't know how different the experience was going to be in Sev (as we called it in Saskatoon, where I grew up), and where I would go to get Slurpees," Heroux wrote on the website of the Canadian public broadcaster.

"All I was imagining in my head were hot dogs that had been in the oven for too long, and cheese for nachos that was probably, maybe, safe to eat," she said.

Heroux had a revealing experience: not only were there many options, but they were also appetizing.

Journalist reported live during earthquake 0:49

His tweets about his trip to the hotel's grocery stores have amused many, from konbini novices to veterans.

He also attracted comments from Japanese who thanked him for his appreciation of konbini food and offered their own advice on which snacks you should try next.

Heroux wasn't the only one to praise stores in Japan.

Andrew Keh, who reports on the Games for the New York Times, also wrote about his foray into his 24-hour convenience stores.

"We cannot traverse the food galaxy outside of Olympic boundaries, but a conbini (sic) contains a culinary world unto itself, an abundance of bento boxes, fried meats, sushi, noodles galore, and all kinds of elaborate meals and weird sandwiches wrapped in plastic, "Keh wrote in a report for his employer.

Also athletes

Athletes also post about konbini delights.

On Tuesday, 13-year-old skater Sky Brown, who won a bronze medal for Great Britain on Wednesday, shared a picture of a 7-Eleven pickled plum, shiso and sesame onigiri on one of her Instagram stories.

With more than 56,000 establishments nationwide, we're confident those with the green light to explore further afield will continue to frequent their closest konbini when late-night cravings for oden and fried chicken hit.

Olympic Games Tokyo 2020