Before i knew there was a name for it, i just thought it was really poor stock planning or even laziness on the konbini workers behalf, not wanting to continue stocking the shelves with the best sellers … not at all, it’s the Gaijin Curse.
I first came across the term Gaijin Curse back in June on alpha whiskey hotel and laughed as i’d seen several items in the work konbini disappear off the shelves, from milky ways to cheese and several other delicacies that used to get me through the day.
I was happy to know it wasn’t just me experiencing this, but still disappointed my favourite snacks were no longer on the shelves.
Occasionally i noticed it closer to home and have since had to change konbini’s in order to get my weekly stash of beef jerky, but now even that’s gone …. for the last 2 weeks this spot has been vacant.
I’m not confident in the return of the beef jerky.
Last night i noticed, for the 3rd day in a row, no Vitamin Waters, surely these will be back.
But thankfully, i can still clean house with the nepia cloudia super quality toilet paper …. for now anyway.
Is it just me or has this sort of thing happened to you in your area? Let’s take it to the polls.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
But hey, at least they still stock whiskey. That’s more than I can say about the konbinis back in ‘Merica.
Incredible. I worked for a large company in the Nagoya area for a year and a half. They had a conbini on the premises, not to mention a billion vending machines. This must have happened to me with at least 10 different items. Glad to hear I’m not the only gaijin to notice this…
I dig the blog, btw – I’m back in the states now, but always enjoy hearing about the weirdness that is Japan
Thanks for the confirmation Heath …. and glad you like the read.
Yes… Makes it a painful trip to get the things you like… Even the vending machine at work has 10 different types of Green Tee the never run out, but the 2 Diet Coke slots are running out every other day… and I’m waiting for they day they are removed to make way for two more un-drinkable options.
It was very good timing that you posted this article… Just as the trackback came into my website, I was fuming because apparently yesterday Doutor cancelled my favourite breakfast sandwich, the Bacon & Egg Bagel.
I wish i had accurately documented ALL the times this has happened, there’s many more i missed i know it, back luck with the B&E Bagel Drew.
LOL, glad to see we’re all hard at work today, gents…
as long as there remains a full stock of alcohol i think you’ll be okay.
Same happened to the moutain dew here in 東金 they had them until the second day we where here, now they are impossible to find
Damn you Gaijin Curse!
This indeed DOES happen. In fact, today (I live in Vancouver, BC), in the Japanese convenience store, my usual melon cream soda was out of stock, and sometimes the Calpis Aloe will be missing. It happens. T_T
Luckily the items do make a return.
Used to be orange juice, skim milk, imported cheese. Learned to stock up when I saw it. Things have much improved now. But I guess you haven’t purged the curse. Please see one of those street fortune-tellers
This is 100% true!! I have had this happen to me sooooooo many times it isn’t even funny. I didn’t know there was an official term for it but man it’s irriating to no end.
Japanese Company Boss: Hey this products is really selling good.
Japanese Company Salaryman: Yes, it is Boss!
Japanese Company Boss: Lets pull it and put something new and untested on the shelf.
Japanese Company Salaryman: That’s a great idea boss.
Gotta love Japan.
PS. I want KFC Spicy chicken year round, not only in the summer!!
haven’t happened to me though. and i live right above a konbini!
For some reason, the 7-11 near my apartment stops selling Van Houten cocoa from like May to November every year. I’m anxiously awaiting its return this year; tired of walking that extra block to Family Mart.