Ask anyone who has visited Japan and they will have certainly ventured into a Japanese convenience store. Not only are they loved by locals, but they are very helpful to us foreign travelers too.
Otherwise known as konbini, there are many different franchises that exist throughout Japan.
Having said that, there are definitely some firm favorites. These include the likes of Lawson, FamilyMart and 7-Eleven – that latter one you may recognise.
It is never unusual to see more than one convenience store within the same area. However, what makes them different from one another?
In this guide we shall take a look at the 6 best Japanese convenience stores.
What Is A Japanese Convenience Store?
Japanese convenience stores are smaller sized stores that tend to offer groceries, reading material, drinks, food, snacks, and essentials. They also have beer, wine, sake and liquor available too.
There are also different services on offer too such as bill payment options, an ATM, and even a way to buy event tickets.
This means that it isn’t unusual to buy soccer tickets from somewhere like your local Lawson.
They are often open for 24 hours every single day making them very convenient. This is great news if you are in need of a readymade meal bento box at 8pm after being on your feet all day.
And if you need to use the restroom, then convenience stores have that, too!
What Does A Japanese Convenience Store Offer?
A Japanese convenience store often has everything you need to make your day comfortable. While it will not be the go-to place for your weekly shop, you can visit to pick up necessities.
Convenience stores offer a budget friendly way to eat during your trip. You will find frozen foods, bento boxes and readymade meals, sandwiches, and onigiri.
A staff member can also warm up the food you bought while in the convenience store too.
There are also snacks, candy and a plethora of drinks. This includes bottled, canned, and hot coffee to go.
There are also magazines, newspapers, kitchen and home supplies, over-the-counter medication, and plenty more.
You can also use the ATM or fax machine, or go to the toilet if you ask a staff member first. And just like we stated above, a convenience store also sells event tickets.
With over 50,000 convenience stores within Japan, there is very little chance of not seeing one.
FamilyMart
With over 16,000 FamilyMart stores across Japan, it is instantly an easily recognizable convenience store.
They make up one of the three major convenience store companies. The other two are Lawson and 7-Eleven.
FamilyMart first opened its doors when its parent company Seiyu decided to open the first store as an experiment.
It was so successful that in 1978 a franchise store was opened in the Chiba prefecture. The Funabashi City store was only the beginning for this successful convenience store chain.
FamilyMart’s brand, which is called ‘Fami Maru’, includes lots of delicious food products. Some of these include ‘Salad Chicken’, Fami-Chiki’ (fried chicken with no bones), and onigiri balls.
Mini Stop
Mini Stop is a smaller chain of convenience stores with just under 2,000 which can be found in 27 of Japan’s prefectures – this includes the mainland of Honshu, as well as Shikoku and the Kyushu islands.
Mini Stop started later than some of the other convenience stores. In 1980, Mini Stop opened their first store in Yokohama which is based in the Kanagawa prefecture.
One thing you will notice is that there are a lot of ION products within Mini Stop.
This is because Mini Stop is actually a subsidiary of ION. One of the ION brands you will see in Mini Stop is Topvalu.
The great thing about Mini Stop is that you can sit-in to eat. This means you can buy one of Mini Stop’s ready meals and eat it in store. They also make fantastic ice cream too.
Daily Yamazaki
Daily Yamazi is a Japanese convenience store that was founded in 1977 by the country’s largest baking business, Yamazaki Baking Co.
With over 1,000 stores across Japan, it sells a number of different items. From western and Japanese baked goods and sweets, to manga, magazines, beverages, bento, onigiri, and so on.
It is considered to be a niche Japanese convenience store due to its old-fashioned branding and the items sold.
Daily Yamazaki also sells Baskin-Robbins ice cream.
However it is the bakery that makes this convenience store stand out from the rest. It is highly likely that you will visit this store for that reason only.
New Days
This convenience store is a little different from the others. This is because they are owned by JR East. For this reason you are likely to see New Days in JR Stations.
With over 650 New Days convenient stores, you are bound to visit one during your travels.
In fact, they are based across 17 different prefectures. Also, there are three different types of this convenient store: New Days, New Days Kiosk, and New Days Mini.
The great thing about New Days is that they often sell locally sourced products. This is because people often like to buy gifts during their travels.
However, they also have a wide selection of food which includes bento, sandwiches and onigiri. They also have bread which is delicious to eat.
Some of these stores also have a server selling draft beer. This is definitely a unique selling point!
Lawson
Lawson is a convenience store which originates from the USA. A Japanese company called Daiei went on to acquire the rights for Lawson in 1975.
The company then went on to open the first Lawson in Toyonaka, Osaka.
With over 14,000 stores across Japan, it is a major player when it comes to convenience stores.
The original brand by Lawson is called Lawson Select. The products under this sub-brand are cute yet simple. Within this brand they are also known for their delicious sweets – for example the roll cake.
Another thing to note is that within Tokyo there are a couple of other types of Lawson. These are called ‘Natural Lawson’ and ‘100 Yen Lawson’.
The latter is a store that focuses on items costing 100 yen, while the former focuses on healthier eating and products.
7-Eleven
7-Eleven is the biggest convenience store chain in Japan with more than 21,000 stores scattered across the country. In fact, you may find that one area has a plethora of 7-eleven stores in one place.
The first ever 7-Eleven opened in 1974 in Toyosu. This was when the department store company called Itoyokada decided to acquire the rights from the US company, Southland Corporation.
7-Eleven in Japan is known for having a large alcohol selection within their ‘Seven Premium’ sub-brand, as well as plenty of snacks that go well with this kind of beverage.
It also sells cheaper products which is likely to be why it does so well. Plus, just like the others on this list it has become a household name within Japan.
Final Thoughts
Japan is known for its wide selection of convenient stores. While they all have the same idea behind why they were launched in the first place, they all have their own uniqueness.
If you are planning to travel to Japan, then you will want to check out the local convenience stores. They are fun to see, but they are also very useful.
You might need to pick up some snacks or meals. They are also a great place to quickly pick up something you have forgotten – like a toothbrush – or to buy a bottle of water.
So before you head on home from your Japan trip, check out the local convenience stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Japanese Convenience Store?
A Japanese convenience store is a small sized store that offers items and services that a person might need. From home essentials, snacks and beverages, to magazines, ready meals and hot coffee.
There are also services such as ticket buying, an ATM, Wi-Fi and so much more. They are located in many places to help people seek them out quickly and efficiently.
What Is A Japanese Convenience Store Called?
A Japanese convenience store is called konbini. There are some major players which include Lawson, FamilyMart and 7-Eleven. There are more than 50,000 in operation across Japan.
What Does The Japanese Word Konbini Mean?
Konbini means convenience store in Japan. Sometimes it is also referred to as ‘conbini’ when spelling it.
There are more convenience stores in Japan than anywhere else in the world. This is because they have become a part of daily life for most Japanese people.
What Do I Say When A Japanese Cashier Asks If I Want A Receipt In A Convenience Store?
When you are in a convenience store the cashier may ask if you would like your receipt.
While you may have gotten away with speaking no Japanese up until this point, you might need to know some basic phrases.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
