Clotheshorse with Amanda Lee McCarty Episode 217: Clotheshorse in Japan: Konbini, Egg Salad, and A Love for Denny's Release Date: November 12, 2024

Introduction: Navigating Emotions Abroad

In the opening moments of Episode 217, Amanda Lee McCarty candidly shares her emotional turmoil triggered by the recent U.S. election. Recording from her hotel room in Kyoto, Japan, Amanda reflects on her inability to focus on intended travel narratives due to grief and anger. She states:

[00:00] Amanda Lee McCarty: "I was just too filled with grief and anger about the election in the United States. [...] If you're feeling like I am right now, know that you are not alone."

Amanda emphasizes the universal impact of such political events, assuring listeners that collective action can lead to positive change, even if the immediate path forward remains unclear.

Daily Life in Japan: Work, Exploration, and Mindfulness

Despite her emotional struggles, Amanda outlines her disciplined daily routine in Japan. She balances work with extensive exploration, averaging around 20,000 steps a day. Her commitment to mindfulness is evident as she immerses herself in the sounds of nature and urban life without the distraction of headphones:

[05:30] Amanda Lee McCarty: "I want to hear birds, I want to hear cars, I want to hear people, I want to hear all of it. And it's been amazing."

Amanda appreciates the therapeutic benefits of walking and observing her surroundings, drawing strength from her journey from a rural trailer park in America to experiencing life in Japan.

Travel Adventures: Hakone, Nagoya, and Yakohama

Amanda recounts her adventures across various Japanese locales:

• Hakone: She describes struggling with Google Maps during her descent, highlighting the challenges of navigating mountainous terrains with heavy luggage. Despite the difficulties, Amanda treasures her stay in a hotel with a private onsen (hot spring), a rare experience for her due to cultural restrictions related to tattoos.

  [12:45] Amanda Lee McCarty: "I kind of messed up my knee a little bit in the process of this, and I'm just winding down this road."

• Nagoya: Collaborating with Christine from Lady Hog Vintage, Amanda enjoyed day trips centered around art and quirky culinary experiences, including visits to retro museums in Yakohama.

  [18:10] Amanda Lee McCarty: "I really want to go back there again with Dustin because it was awesome."

The Konbini Experience: A Deep Dive into Japanese Convenience Stores

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Amanda's exploration of Japan's ubiquitous convenience stores, known as konbini. Her insights are both personal and analytical, juxtaposing her experiences in the U.S. with those in Japan.

Personal Connection to Convenience Stores

Amanda shares her nostalgic yet critical view of convenience stores, influenced by her family's history and personal experiences in the U.S.:

[25:32] Amanda Lee McCarty: "They feel so predatory to me. The surcharge for convenience is very expensive for necessary items like medicine, diapers, and tampons."

She recounts her upbringing in Steelton, Pennsylvania, where limited access to affordable groceries forced reliance on overpriced convenience stores, fostering her resentment toward the model.

Konbini in Japan: Efficiency and Community Integration

Contrasting her American perspective, Amanda praises the Japanese konbini for their adaptability and integration into daily life:

[30:00] Amanda Lee McCarty: "Konbini are great. The convenience is there for you and there is almost always something that you can eat and will enjoy eating."

She highlights the variety and quality of offerings, such as onigiri (rice balls), egg salad sandwiches, and freshly baked goods. Amanda notes the ingenious packaging of onigiri, which keeps the seaweed from becoming soggy, reflecting Japanese innovation:

[37:30] Amanda Lee McCarty: "If you follow them on in order, you can remove both the outer packaging and that inner film. And yet the seaweed will remain wrapped around the rice ball. It's genius."

Major Konbini Chains: 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson

Amanda provides an in-depth comparison of Japan's major convenience store chains:

• 7-Eleven: Celebrated for its extensive onigiri selection and high-quality coffee, Amanda favors their egg salad sandwiches for being "fluffier" and lighter.

  [40:15] Amanda Lee McCarty: "711 has the best onigiri assortment. They have more options than the other stores and I think they taste better."

• Family Mart: Known for superior desserts, Amanda reminisces about a memorable sweet potato and chestnut parfait. However, she expresses reservations due to past issues like sightings of rats in stores.

  [42:50] Amanda Lee McCarty: "They possibly have the best desserts, like this amazing sweet potato and chestnut parfait that I ate on the long train ride back from Takayama yesterday."

• Lawson: Amanda regards Lawson as her favorite konbini in Tokyo, especially the Natural Lawson variant, which offers healthier options and an impressive beverage selection.

  [45:00] Amanda Lee McCarty: "Lawson has a spin-off called Natural Lawson with healthier takeout food options, healthier snacks, a whole gluten-free aisle."

Amanda also references the cultural significance of konbini in Japan, noting that unlike in the U.S., there is no stigma associated with frequenting these stores. They are integral to neighborhoods, providing accessible and reasonably priced essentials without exploiting consumers.

Cultural Insights and Innovations in Japanese Retail

Amanda delves into the historical and structural aspects that have propelled konbini to prominence in Japan:

• Origins: She traces the success of 7-Eleven in Japan back to its 1978 introduction of onigiri, which pivoted away from mere American-style offerings to cater to local tastes.

  [36:00] Amanda Lee McCarty: "They get introduced to 7-Eleven, they take away the hot dogs, they focus on this, and they were a hit."

• Seven & I Holdings: Amanda explains how Ito Yokado's acquisition of 70% of the American 7-Eleven led to the creation of Seven & I Holdings, a powerhouse owning various retail chains globally, including Family Mart and Lawson.

  [46:21] Amanda Lee McCarty: "Seven and I holdings also owns American convenience store chains like Speedway and Stripes, also life hack here in Texas."

She marvels at the efficiency of Japanese train systems and how retail is seamlessly integrated into transportation hubs, enhancing the convenience factor for consumers.

Recommendations and Community Engagement

Toward the episode's conclusion, Amanda offers thoughtful recommendations and invites community interaction:

• Book Suggestion: She recommends "Convenience Store Woman" by Sayaka Murata, praising it as a quintessential representation of Japanese konbini culture.

  [50:45] Amanda Lee McCarty: "I recommend reading the book Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. It's a short read, but it's such a great representative of convenience store life here in Japan."

• Future Initiatives: Amanda proposes the idea of a book club focused on fiction books authored by women, non-binary, and trans individuals, highlighting her commitment to inclusive and relatable storytelling.

  [51:30] Amanda Lee McCarty: "Maybe we can have a little book club where we read a different fiction book every couple of months and get together and talk about it online."

Conclusion: Reflecting on a Transformative Journey

Amanda wraps up the episode by reiterating her appreciation for her time in Japan and the profound lessons learned through her interactions with the culture and retail systems. She underscores the importance of community and shared experiences in fostering positive change.

[55:00] Amanda Lee McCarty: "Community is a big part of what happens next. But also just connecting on things that almost have nothing to do with politics is also really important because the personal is always political."

Amanda signs off with gratitude towards her listeners and collaborators, leaving them with a sense of anticipation for future episodes and community engagements.

Notable Quotes

• Emotional Struggle:

  [00:00] Amanda Lee McCarty: "I was too upset. I couldn't write. I certainly couldn't get up and talk to you about anything useful other than how upset I was."

• Reflection on Her Journey:

  [08:20] Amanda Lee McCarty: "I grew up in a trailer park in rural America and a person like me was gonna be lucky to even leave the state. And here I am half a world away for a whole month. That's amazing."

• Innovation in Konbini:

  [37:30] Amanda Lee McCarty: "If you follow them on in order, you can remove both the outer packaging and that inner film. And yet the seaweed will remain wrapped around the rice ball. It's genius."

• Cultural Integration:

  [40:15] Amanda Lee McCarty: "Konbini are great. The convenience is there for you and there is almost always something that you can eat and will enjoy eating."

Final Thoughts

Episode 217 of Clotheshorse with Amanda Lee McCarty offers a rich tapestry of personal reflection, cultural exploration, and critical analysis of Japan's retail landscape. Amanda's ability to intertwine her emotional journey with insightful observations provides listeners with both an intimate and educational experience. Her deep dive into the world of konbini not only demystifies Japanese convenience stores but also contrasts them with their American counterparts, highlighting the potential for retail models to influence and reflect societal values.