Japan's Convenience Stores
- sinjahaag
- 2. Jan.
- 7 Min. Lesezeit
Aktualisiert: 10. März
Japan's convenience stores, also known as konbini's, are as famous as the country itself. With over more than 50.000 stores all across Japan they take on an essential part of local's daily life and are also popular amongst tourist for a quick and budget-friendly snack. Compared to a European "Kiosk" they offer a much broader ranger of products and services to benefit from. Since most of these stores are open on a 24/7 basis, they provide a convenient option for spontaneous purposes day- and night.
In this article, you'll find information on:
What is a Konbini?
Konbini's are Japanese convenience stores, which can be found in different forms and sizes all across Japan. The varying store chains usually operate on a 24/7 basis and offer a great variety of products & services, which, due to the accelerated fast-paced life in Japan, ease the life locals and are also popular amonst tourists. Whether for a quick snack, short toilet break or mid-night drink on the go, convenient stores in Japan are an easily accessible and a budget-friendly alternative to expensive restaurant meals.
Konbini chains: from 7Eleven to Mini Stop
The most famous ones are 7Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson, Daily Yamazaki & Mini Stop. Due to the high numbers of convenience stores in Japan, the competition amongst these chains is high and ongoing, which is why seasonal goods and new innovative products are being launched & advertised all the time. Each chain offers different, yet oftentimes comparable, foods and goodies to enjoy. My personal store favourites are Family Mart and Daily Yamazaki- but of course, it's all a matter of taste.
If I was to rank the above stated konbini chains as per preferences, my personal rating would be as follows:
Family Mart
Daily Yamazaki
7Eleven
Lawson
Mini Stop
7Eleven: mainly known for their large variety of onigiri (rice balls), out of which especially the tuna and mayonnaise onigiri sticks out. Thick, juicy and light in taste. It's also a great option for enjoying some crispy- fried boneless Nana Chicken, Japanese Curry or grabbing a casual chuha (Japanese high ball) on the way to your ho(s)tel.
Family Mart: sticks out to their absolutely delicious korokke (croquettes) and famous famichiki (FamilyMart Chicken). They oftentimes also provide steamed Japanese sweet potatoes and provide a hot counter with onden-ingredients, which are two personal highlight of mine.
Lawson: offers the most delicious desserts and baked goods, such as the famous melonpan, curry bread, donuts, danishes, layered cup desserts and cakes. It is also known for high quality sushi and tamago sando (fluffy egg sandwiches).
Daily Yamazaki: is the absolute best place for freshly baked goods and breakfast items (next to smaller bakeries stores). It is not as commonly spread around the country compared to 7Eleven, Lawson and Family Mart, oftentimes to be found in smaller streets or rural areas.
Mini Stop: serves soft ice cream during summer and hot steamed buns in the winter. It is basically a merge of different items that you'll also be able to find in the stores listed above.
Products offered
Konbini are mainly known for selling a great variety of foods, including sweet & savoury snacks, obento (lunch boxes), onigiri (rice balls), sandwiches, bakery goods, ice cream, candy, instant ramen, soup, packed fruits and side dishes, such as salads, pickled vegetables and packed meat & fish variations.
Spoiler: all products clearly label the amount of calories per serving.
Both hot and cold beverages are being sold, kept in a freezing cold- or heated fridges. These drink cover everything from coffee, soda, tea, juice, isotonic drinks, smoothies, gut-supportive drinks (e.g. Yakult). In most cases, alcoholic beverages, covering sake, beer, wine, spirits and liquors are also available for purchase.
A lot of convenience stores additionally provide a hot counter, offering fried chicken, meat skewers, fish cakes, baked sweet potatoes, nikuman (steaming hot dumplings filled with meat), ingredients for oden (Japanese stew), such as daikon (radish), kamaboko (fish cake), fried tofu, sausages and hanpen (surimi products).
Next to foods & beverages, other goods, such as cosmetics, body care products, umbrellas & rain capes, facial masks, socks, underwear and tights, batteries, writing material & magazines are being sold.
Services offered
24/7 Service: most convenient stores are open on a 24/7 basis, making it easy to purchase a snack on the go or drink at night whenever you desire.
ATMs: almost every convenient store in Japan provides an ATM for cash withdrawal, accepting international credit cards.
Multi-purpose terminals: printing, scanning, copying or faxing documents is made easy and possible with these terminals. In some cases, photos can even be read and printed directly on side.
Postal Services: some convenient stores provide postal services for both sending and collecting deliveries & packages.
Bill Payments: as for locals, convenient stores offer the possibilities to pay monthly bills and outstanding payments, e.g. for your mobile phone, rent, amazon deliveries.
Free Wifi: free Wifi is available in every convenient store, especially useful if you do not obtain an eSIM.
Seating Areas: several convenience stores offer seating areas for taking a rest, enjoying your coffee or peacefully eating your purchased goods. Sometimes these seating areas are located close to the cashier counter, in other cases you might find a second floor. Charging stations are available to recharge your mobile phone, if needed.
Smoking Areas: as smoking in public is prohibited in Japan other than in designated areas, convenient stores offer a place to take a quick break. Most stores have designated areas outside their stores with an ash tray to use and/or smoking rooms to use on level 1 or 2.
Free Lavatories: public toilets can be hard to find in Japan. The quickest and safest locations to turn to when your bladder is squeezing is a shopping mall, the subway station or any kind of convenience store. Lavatories are free of charge and usually can be found at the very end of the stores.
Heating up food: when buying some pre-packed meals, such as bento boxes or soups, the cashier will ask you whether you'd like to have your food heated or not. The choice is on you. Chopsticks and further seasonings will be handed out or can be put together individually if placed next to the counter (e.g. soy sauce, hot mustard, wasabi).
Most famous konbini foods
Convenience stores in Japan are obtain a high popularity amongst tourists, especially with regards to onigiri, egg sandwiches and specialty desserts, such as creme brulee ice cream or souffle puddings. The most commonly purchased items amongst both locals and toursists are listed below. Regardless of these items, I always suggest to make your own experiences in choosing whatever seems most appealing to you and your taste buds. The variety of choice is- and will stay overwhelming throughout your stay, allowing plenty of time to taste and try your way through a large range of delicious convenience store snacks:
Onigiri: is a Japanese rice ball with a great variety of delicious fillings. It is the most known and most popular snack in Japan, which can be consumed for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack in-between meals. I particularly loved the ones with fish variations, such as salmon, tuna. Braised pork, soft boiled eggs with soy sauce or tonkotsu fillings also never disappointed! Some onigiri are rather small, others are a fully packed sandwich with different toppings, quite heavy in weight. Onigiri cannot only be found in convenience stores but also in smaller local shops, where they are freshly rolled and prepared for daily purchase. If you do have a chance, I encourage you to try these handmade ones for comparison. They might be a bit more expensive than the ones you find in 7Eleven or other places but oftentimes provide different fillings and additionally support local businesses.
Tamago Sando: a popular egg sandwich and snack amongst locals, consisting of a creamy egg mixture on Shokupan bread (Japanese sweet milk bread). The egg texture is fluffy and light due to its mixture with mayonnaise, sugar, pepper and salt.
Dorayaki: is a sweet treat (called Wagashi) consisting of two fluffy pancakes filled with Anko (sweet red bean paste).
Anpan: is similar to Dorayaki with the only difference of having a sweet bun being filled with Anko, rather than two pancakes
Melonpan: contrary to the assumption that melonpan is a candy filled with melon (flavour), the melonpan (also known as melon bread) is a sweet pastry covered with a crispy sugary layer of cookie dough, whose texture is similar to that of a melon. You can buy them plaine or filled with other sweet treats, such as matcha ice cream (especially popular in Osaka).
Gyudon: a classic Japanese beef bowl simmered with onions in a sweet sauce to perfection. Take it home or get it heated in the store to enjoy!
Sushi: is another popular take-away star and available in most convenient stores for a light and filling snack in between.
Black Thunder: an unseemingly, yet not widely known, chocolate hit that will take you to heaven! Black Thunder is a chocolate-covered candy snack with a cocoa cookie base and rice puffs for an extra bite of crunch. Not being overly sweet, everyone I introduced it to immediately fell in love. Beware of addiction!
Meiji Chocolate: next to black thunder, Meiji supposedly counts to the best possible chocolates one can try in Japan. Going with the classic, milk chocolate, never disappoints. Other flavours, such as matcha, are also available. A must-try for chocolate lovers & sweet teeth.
Konbini haul: a picturous collection of foods
To not only talk and write about konbini treasures but to also illustrate how different food purchases may look like, I have put together a collage of various purchases throughout my travels.
Do you have any favourite items out of the above listed convenience stores? Let me know in the comments!
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