Konbini Culture and Japan’s Convenience Store Food: Explained

One of the cornerstones of daily life in Japan is, without a doubt, the convenience stores.

You’ll hear foreigners and tourists gushing about these little stores called “konbini” found on nearly every street corner and the meals and snacks sold at these places. 

Not that Japanese people take them for granted, of course. It’s just that these world-renowned “konbini” stores are such an integral part of urban life in Japan, mainly because of the quality and variety of meals available.

So, let’s explore the vast world of konbinis and Japanese convenience store food, and explain what makes them so unique and special.

What Are Convenience Stores in Japan Like?

First things first, if you’re imagining a regular convenience store, like those in the United States, Japan’s konbini stores will surprise you in the best way imaginable.

While these little corner shops carry everyday basics, household items, tickets, magazines, and so on, they also offer printing services and ATM access. But that’s not all – these little oases are small pockets of heaven that have everything you can think of and more!

Konbini stores also have parcel services where you can have snail mail and packages delivered. They’re also places where you can pay your bills, and even find toiletries and medicine. No wonder foreigners get excited to visit one of these stores – it’s almost a part of sightseeing duties.

All that said, the main attraction for many is the extensive selection of Japanese convenience store food. The food is not only convenient but also often of surprisingly high quality, making it a popular choice for quick meals among locals and tourists alike.

There are said to be about 55,000 Konbini stores across Japan. You can find one at almost every corner in urban areas and even multiple on the same street in big cities. During your time in Japan, these will be your most reliable “recharge” hubs, as they’re open 24/7 and offer warm food.

With our introduction out of the way, let’s talk about some of the top three most popular convenience stores in Japan.

The Most Popular Convenience Stores in Japan

No matter where you go, you’re almost always guaranteed to find one of these stores near you.

Here are the biggest, most popular convenience stores in Japan:

• 7-Eleven

• Family Mart 

• Lawson

Let’s introduce each one in order of popularity.

7-Eleven

By far, the most popular konbini chain in Japan is 7-Eleven. Unlike their American counterparts, 7-Eleven stores in Japan offer a more diverse selection of items, as well as delicious warm and cold snacks and meals.

In addition to the wide variety of sweets and snacks, 7-Eleven stores are also known for their good and affordable coffee. 

7-Eleven has about 22,000 stores across Japan, so this is likely the most common konbini you’ll visit. It’s also the one that started the konbini craze in Japan in the first place. 

Family Mart

Family Mart, with its more than 17,000 stores all across the country, is the second-most common Konbini store chain you’ll find in Japan.  

The chain stores carry just as many items as 7-Eleven, however, there’s one item that stands out: Fried Chicken! Family Mart’s fried chicken is called FamiChiki, and it’s extremely popular due to its unexpectedly exceptional taste.

In addition to store items, Family Mart locations also have ATMs, printers, and other similar services Konbinis stores usually offer.

Lawson

Lawson might be the third most commonly found Konbini store in the country, but it still has a whopping 15,000 stores in Japan. 

This Konbini is especially famous for its baked sweets and desserts. While most Konbini have similar services, there are a few exclusive offers at each brand. For example, tickets for the hot tourist destination Studio Ghibli Museums can only be found at Lawson via their in-store “Loppi” ticket machine.

Of course, Lawson also offers all of the Konbini must-haves like onigiri, egg sandwiches, and bento boxes too, which are always fresh and tasty. 

As of lately, you can also find Natural Lawson stores in addition to its regular locations. These are harder to come by, but they are worth checking out if you do. These stores carry a different catalog of items than the regular Lawson stores, as they offer organic products only.

Konbini Staples: What Do Japanese Convenience Stores Sell?

Whether you go to a 7-Eleven, Family Mart, or Lawson, you can always expect to find some staple items. 

Let’s call these Konbini staples, as they are, in fact, usual items you’ll find at every Konbini, but we’re not talking about basic grocery items here. 

Let’s introduce some of these specialty items, which are also staples of Japanese culture.

Onigiri: Best Japanese Convenience Store Food 

To start with, onigiri, which is a rice ball filled with delicious goodness, is a big part of Japanese culture and a konbini staple. People eat these for lunch, and parents often pack them in their kids' lunch boxes.

Even the packaging or the way you open up an onigiri is very specific. The onigiri you get at Konbini stores comes in this uniquely smart packaging that keeps the nori seaweed sheet and the rice separate until you rip the pack open. This ensures the crispiness of nori and experiencing it for the first time is fun.

Onigiri comes with many fillings such as mayo tuna, salmon, or fried chicken, all of which are tasty treats and can be enjoyed at any time of day.

Sandwiches: Tamago/Furutsu Sando

Another staple food that’s considered a Konbini classic is the sandwiches, which isn’t a surprise on its own. However, among the sandwiches you’ll find at Konbini stores, the egg sandwich, or Tamaga Sando, deserves special recognition. 

The creamy egg salad mix sandwiched between the fluffiest, sweet milk bread is a breakfast favorite among those in a rush. Have it for lunch, too – it’s a timeless snack. Some say Lawson’s egg sandwiches just hit differently, which is a good tip to remember.

The sandwich craze at Konbinis doesn’t just stop at Tamago Sando, as you can even find tasty sweet sandwiches at these stores. For instance, the fresh fruit and whipped cream-filled Furutsu Sando is a dreamy midday snack you wouldn’t want to miss out on.

Bento Lunches

Bento, or obento, is essentially a meal with several components, such as rice, fish or meat, veggies, all packed neatly inside a box. 

Bento boxes are another lunch essential of Japanese culture. Japanese people often make them at home when they want to bring lunch to work or when packing their children’s school meals.

As a common way to have a meal on the go, bento boxes are also a staple food at all Konbinis. These can be mass-produced or freshly made, but they always provide a balanced meal due to the food variety each box contains.

All Konbini have microwaves, so you should be able to heat up the bento by yourself, or ask the cashier to help out.

Tip: If you’re looking to enjoy a cup of hot miso soup or instant ramen to pair with your bento, Konbinis also provide hot water dispensers. Simply purchase your favorite flavor and fill up to the water line. Enjoy!

Hot Meals: Oden, Fried Chicken, Skewers

Konbini stores don’t just have prepackaged items but fresh food as well. You can often find a hot meal at any of these stores, some of which are seasonal, like Oden.

Oden is a winter dish made with various ingredients, such as daikon, tofu, or fish cakes, simmered in a light broth. Once the cold weather hits, you can find this staple at just about any konbini.

Another seasonal item is the Nikuman or steamed buns filled with pork. They offer a few varieties including red bean, black sesame paste, or pizza and curry flavors.

A popular hot snack option, as I mentioned, is fried chicken, or chicken Karaage, and Family Mart is especially good at this one. 

You’ll also find skewered meat and chicken dishes, some of which are also fried. Notably, Yakitori, or grilled chicken on skewers, is another staple of night outs and is, therefore, available at many konbinis.

These hot items are usually placed next to the cash register. You can tell the cashier what you want and they’ll package it up nicely for you.

Sushi

This is Japan, so, of course, you can expect to find all kinds of sushi at many konbini stores across Japan. 

Sushi needs no introduction, as it’s one of the top food exports from Japan, but these rice bites are the perfect “filling-but-weirdly-light” meal option.

Most commonly, you’ll find boxes upon boxes of salmon and prawn sushi in particular. However, for something a little different, be on the lookout for more varied ones. You might find ones that include mackerel, eel, and even salmon roe, which offer a more unique experience.

It’s normal to be hesitant when it comes to store-bought sushi as a foreigner, but you’re in Japan! People have much higher standards when it comes to sushi, and the ones sold at Konbini stores are at least acceptable in taste, if not downright delicious.

Baked Goods: Melonpan, Anpan

Another Japanese convenience store food you can always rely on are the various baked goods you’ll find, most of which are uniquely Japanese. These can be either fresh or prepackaged but are tasty nonetheless. 

Here are some notable ones you should definitely give a try.

First, you have the Melonpan or melon bread. Don’t let the name fool you, as it doesn’t contain actual melon or melon flavoring whatsoever. It’s a large puffy pastry covered with crispy cookie dough that resembles a melon, hence the name.

Anpan is another Japanese street food classic that’s also found at Konbini stores. These are sweet buns filled with red bean paste, a common ingredient in Japanese snacks that you’ll quickly come to either love or hate.

Speaking of baked goods, a Yakisoba pan is another one you’re likely to find at Konbinis but these are actually buns with noodles sandwiched in them. 

Between the fluffy bread is a bunch of seasoned noodles that come in various sizes and flavors. If you’re up to eating lots of carbs, it’s a unique option you might enjoy.

Best Konbini Drinks To Try

I mentioned the konbini coffee, but these neat little stores pack way more variety in drinks, some of which are unique to Japan.

For one, you have the cult-classic drink Pocari Sweat. Don’t let the “sweat” in the name turn you off because Japanese people swear by this citrusy and light hydration drink, especially for hangover relief.

Speaking of hangovers, Konbinis are decked out in all the most essential alcoholic beverages, from canned beer, lemon sours, highballs, and even whisky and wine. You’ll find the legendary Strong Zero here as well. 

Another staple is the Boss coffee which is canned but is surprisingly delicious. You’ll also find lots of energy drinks and other regular beverages like Coke to get your caffeine fix.

However, as you can find special editions with anime or video game branding on everything, even a regular can of Coke may surprise you. While getting a beverage, you see your favorite character’s face plastered on the packaging, making the can an instant collectible if you’re a fanboy/girl.

You’ll find franchise branding on lots of drinks and snacks slapped on nearly every product in Japan’s Konbini shops. This is a big part of the appeal when it comes to Japanese snacks, and they’ll also be the reason why you don’t want to leave a konbini once you enter as a foreigner. 

Speaking of the snacks…

Best Convenience Store Snacks Japan

The konbini stores in Japan are also little snack paradises tucked around the corner. In case you haven’t noticed yet, Japan has arguably the best snacks in the world.

Japanese snacks go wild with the flavors. You’ll find so many varieties of even the most mundane snacks that you’ll question if the US really does go hard with its snacks at all. 

Your existential dread is nothing some green tea mochi can’t fix. Green tea is a popular flavoring in sweets, but this flavor, along with matcha, is only the tip of the iceberg. 

Mochi, for instance, is a Japanese snack that comes in many flavors, and it’s traditionally Japanese. It’s made of glutinous rice paste beaten into a chewy texture and wrapped around a filling, which can even be ice cream for those hot summer days.

In addition to the above, here are the top 10 sweet and savory snacks to try (if you haven’t yet) the next time you visit your favorite Konbini. 

Of course, there are many more snacks to mention, but we can only fit so much in one article. You can explore on your own, but if you’re new in Japan and are worried you might need basic Japanese to communicate, here’s a quick guide with basic phrases you can use in daily life.

Other Common Konbini Items: What Do Japanese Convenience Stores Sell?

So far, we’ve only covered the fun part, which is the food and drinks, but Japanese konbini stores offer much more than that. This is why Konbini stores are a vital part of daily life in Japan – they simply offer everything one might need at a moment’s notice.

Electronics

When your phone charger fails you, you don’t need to go around looking for an electronic goods store. Konbini stores usually have all the basics one might need: chargers, USB cables, earphones, earphone adapters, etc.

In urban areas, you might also be able to find portable chargers to rent and return, in case your device runs out of battery while you’re on the go.

You can also find batteries here, and even disposable cameras for travelers around touristy places. Speaking of which, travelers can also find various plug adapters that allow you to use your chargers with Japanese plugs.

Magazines, Manga, and Books

For avid readers, Konbini stores offer a wide selection of magazines and manga, as well as books. In fact, in most stores, this section is the first thing you see upon entering.

Get yourself the latest manga or a monthly magazine. Here are a few good recommendations:

• Vogue Japan: The Japanese edition of the famous fashion magazine is a “must-see.”

• Shonen Jump: The popular manga magazine known for featuring shonen classics like One Piece, Naruto, and Dragon Ball

• Popeye: A men’s lifestyle magazine 

• CanCam: Fashion Lifestyle Magazine for women between the ages 20-30

• DIME: Technology magazine featuring the latest gadgets and tech news

Everyday Necessities

Konbini stores sell other useful daily items, too. 

These include toiletries, including toothbrushes, soaps, and shower items, as well as cleaning supplies such as detergents and trash bags. 

You may be surprised to even find basic socks and t-shirts at these stores. Japan has a nasty monsoon season, so these, along with umbrellas and rain ponchos can also be commonly found at Konbinis.

In fact, you can even find basic supplements like vitamins and such, and even stationery, which you may need while you’re using the mail services offered at Konbini shops. 

Services Offered at Konbini Stores

Before I go, let’s talk about some of the most crucial services offered at Japanese Konbini stores. These little hubs will be your go-to address for all of the following services:

• ATMs: All Konbinis have an ATM inside, so you can withdraw money safely 24/7.

• Free Wi-Fi: Most Konbini stores offer free Wi-Fi on the premises, and it’s fast and unlimited.

• Ticket Purchases: Tickets you may need for transport (such as overnight bus), as well as concerts and theme parks can be bought here via the ticket machines.

• Paying Bills: Utility bills like gas, electricity, and phone bills can be paid at Konbini shops. Just hand your bills over to the cashier!

• Mail and Parcel Services: These stores also act as post offices where you can send stuff and even have packages delivered. The cashier will be able to help you out with this as well.

• Getting Official Documents: You can get your Juminhyo, or resident certificate, as well as stamps to send your application for your My Number Card in these stores.

As you can tell, the Konbini culture isn’t just about the convenience of being able to buy the stuff you might need whenever you want. It’s more about having small hubs throughout the cities where locals can get everyday errands done without having to travel long distances. 

So, we really mean it when we say that Konbini stores are an integral part of life in Japan as they simply help the community function. 

This might be all I have on Japanese Konbini stores, but if you’d like to learn more about life in Japan, our posts on English-speaking hospitals and accounting in Japan are both good reads.