“おにぎり110円”個人経営の格安コンビニの秘策　弁当も完全手作り「喜んでくれるのが一番」　東京・吉祥寺（2026年03月25日）

(Aired March 24, 2026) Due to rising prices, the price of rice balls has become commonly around 200 yen each. However, at "PAL," a small, independent convenience store in Kichijoji, Tokyo, ume (plum) rice balls are sold for 110 yen each, and homemade bento boxes are sold for 550 yen. Customers of "PAL," which opened in the 1990s, have commented, "This volume for 230 yen is a bargain. I always come here, rather than going to other convenience stores. (Q. What's the biggest appeal?) The price. And it's delicious," and "It's close, cheap, and delicious." "PAL," a popular local convenience store, also offers delivery. We investigated the secret to its long-standing popularity and ability to maintain low prices despite rising prices. At 6:00 AM on the 24th, preparations were already underway inside the shop. There were only three people working: the owner, Kazuhiko Iguchi (68), his wife, Sachiko (63), and a veteran female employee with 32 years of experience. Everything on display is handmade; the owner makes the rice balls, while Sachiko handles tasks like frying. PAL owner, Kazuhiko Iguchi: "If we have too many people, labor costs are deducted, and if we have too few, it's difficult... I'll do anything, anything. Because we're so few people." True to his words, the owner was extremely busy. In the morning, when bento box orders poured in, he hurriedly made the boxes, and incredibly, he even handles the deliveries himself. He has a clever system for deliveries; he calculates his schedule and routes so he can visit multiple locations in one trip. And, after finishing deliveries, he goes to buy vegetables, which he says is another effort to keep prices down. PAL owner, Kazuhiko Iguchi: "If you have it delivered, there's that delivery fee, right? It's better to see and choose the items yourself." "The shop also offers eat-in service, and lunch menus are all under 500 yen, such as curry udon for 400 yen (tax included) and tempura soba for 450 yen (tax included)." PAL owner, Kazuhiko Iguchi: "To be honest, we don't make much profit. But that's okay, as long as customers are happy." "Customers were seen expressing their delight, saying things like, 'It's so cheap, delicious, and simple, and I'm happy to have something I can confidently feed to my children. I feel at ease knowing the faces of the people who made it,' and 'Considering it's completely handmade, it's incredibly cheap.'" "A woman with 32 years of part-time work experience: "(The Iguchi couple) seem to enjoy working. (Q. Onigiri for 110 yen) No, no, no, that's not right. It's strange, isn't it? They say they're happier when customers are happy." PAL continues to offer bento boxes and rice balls that even the staff point out are too cheap, but actually, the owner's wife, Sachiko, was recently hospitalized and has just been discharged. The owner himself is also scheduled to undergo foot surgery. Even with these ongoing health issues, how do they manage to keep going? PAL owner, Kazuhiko Iguchi: (Q. What is enjoyable?) The enjoyment comes from being able to work together as a couple! PAL wife, Sachiko: "It's really helpful when we hear people say, 'It's so cheap, it's a great help.'" PAL owner, Kazuhiko Iguchi: The point is, making people happy is the most important thing! There's no point in doing something underhanded like just making a profit. It's enough if we can make people happy and have a little profit left over!