The Unique Rice Balls & Sandwiches of Tateyama Thunderbird, a Lone-Wolf Convenience Store

It's a little over a 30-minute drive from downtown Toyama.

The convenience store is located in a town at the foot of Mount Tateyama.

Tateyama Thunderbird.

This convenience store, which frequently appears in the media, is a family-run shop in Tateyama Town that opens early in the morning, making it essential for climbers.

Its selection is a bit different from your average convenience store—it's incredibly unique.

For example, they sell instant noodles that have different flavors depending on the region, and they dig up products that even the locals rarely know about.

That said, the real highlights are definitely the rice balls and sandwiches.

The way they are lined up along the back wall of the shop is truly a sight to behold.

And when you take a closer look...

Bear, rabbit, deer. Perfect for food education! Gibier (wild game) rice balls.

Fried rice and gyoza B-set. Just when you think there's a carbohydrate-fest sandwich, you find...

Crepe cakes or Basque cheesecake sandwiched inside.

In any case, the ingredients are anything but ordinary.

Coming back after a long time, it seems they've powered up even more.

Of course, they have regular ingredients too, but it's strange how they look so plain in comparison.

And this is what I had this time.

Black sauce yakisoba rice ball!

"It's made with a sauce that combines squid ink, kurozake (black sake), and spices, along with pork, cabbage, carrots, and buckwheat noodles."

That was the explanation.

Kurozake is a fermented rice seasoning; I can't believe they use something that rare. And buckwheat noodles (lol).

The shape is a bit odd, but let's take a bite.

The rice is fluffy and delicious.

Since they use delicious rice made from 100% Toyama-grown Koshihikari and delicious water, it's only natural that it tastes good, but contrary to its rugged appearance, the way it's shaped is incredibly light and exquisite.

Surprisingly, even though it's pitch black, the curry-like spicy filling has a rich umami that blends with the rice, making it addictive. The noodles aren't just stuffed in there; by adding a small amount, it actually feels like they help bind the ingredients together.

Wait, this is actually pretty good!

That's right. Both the rice balls and sandwiches here are carefully researched and vetted by the owner's son, ensuring that only delicious items are offered.

It's not just a gimmick; it's the result of an explosion of passion.

In conclusion, this shop is just plain fun!

With that said, I think I'll be visiting again soon.