Convenience stores have become a part of daily life for Japanese people, as if they are commonplace and taken for granted, but for foreign visitors to Japan, they are a place full of surprises and convenience.

In this article, we will introduce major convenience stores unique to Japan and their charms, as well as how to utilize them for various usage scenarios.

Just knowing about them will surely make your trip even more comfortable and enjoyable!

Major convenience stores in Japan

Convenience stores are a ubiquitous sight when walking the streets of Japan.

There are several major convenience store chains operating stores in Japan, each of which is supported by users for its unique features and services. In this chapter, I will first introduce some of the major convenience store chains in Japan and their characteristics!

Seven-Eleven

Seven-Eleven is famous worldwide! In Japan, it is the largest convenience store chain in the country. You are familiar with the name “Seven” in Japan.

Seven-Eleven is particularly popular for its prepared foods and boxed lunches. Other product lines under its own brand, “Seven Premium,” include a wide range of main dishes, side dishes, and salads, all of which are highly regarded for their high quality. (The golden hamburger steak is my favorite too!)

Another coffee service, “Seven Cafe,” is also very popular, especially among businessmen! Many people probably buy coffee from Seven-Eleven before work or literally during their coffee break (break time).

FamilyMart

FamilyMart is a nationwide convenience store chain with a blue and green logo. In Japan, it is affectionately known as “Famima.

FamilyMart is characterized by its wide variety of easy-to-enjoy hot snacks. Among them, “Famichiki” is a typical example, and is a standard item that attracts support from a wide range of people. (Even I sometimes get an irresistible urge to eat Famichiki!)

In addition, the original “Famima Bakery” brand offers a wide variety of prepared breads and sweet breads, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that most of the breads you want to eat can be found at Famima.

In my personal opinion, I feel that the variety and quality of sweets has also improved recently! I recommend it to anyone with a sweet tooth.

LAWSON

Lawson is a popular convenience store chain with a blue sign and a nationwide presence. In Japan, it is known as “Lawson.

Lawson's appeal lies in its extensive lineup of sweets. The “Uchicafe” brand is particularly famous, and its cream-filled “Premium Roll Cake” has become a long-selling product. Seasonal limited edition sweets are also popular and always attract the attention of those with a sweet tooth.

Speaking of LAWSON, don't forget “Kara-Age-Kun”. The crispy batter and juicy flavor make it an addictive, nationally popular food. The new flavors that appear regularly are also very appealing! (I always check the hot snack section when I stop by Lawson. (Whenever I stop by LAWSON, I always check the hot snack section, because KARAAGE-KUN is such an “interesting” product.)

Daily Yamazaki

Daily Yamazaki is a nationwide convenience store chain operated by Japan's largest bread manufacturer, Yamazaki Baking Company.

Known as “Daily” or “Daily Yamazaki” in Japan, its distinctive feature is its bread and sweets baked in the store. The ability to enjoy freshly baked, delicious bread at any time is an attraction not found in other convenience stores. In addition to a full lineup of products, the store also offers products that make use of local ingredients, allowing customers to enjoy the unique flavors of the region while traveling.

In addition to the services of a typical convenience store, Daily Yamazaki offers the warmth of a town bakery, and is loved by many as being different from other major chains.

MINISTOP

Ministop is a convenience store chain with a yellow and blue sign and is located throughout Japan. Its name in Japan is “Ministop.

Ministop is characterized by the fact that almost all of its stores have an eat-in space. The concept of combining a convenience store and a fast food restaurant seems to differentiate Ministop from other convenience stores. In addition, the store has introduced a make-to-order style, and hot snacks and cold sweets are popular.

Signature products are “Soft Ice Cream”, “Halo-Halo”, and “Parfait”, and seasonal flavors using seasonal ingredients are also available. The appeal of these cold treats is that you will want to eat them even when it is not the hottest season!

NewDays

NewDays is a convenience store that operates mainly inside JR East stations or just outside the stations, making it convenient for travelers and commuters using the stations. Because of their location inside stations, they offer a wide variety of convenient items for train users, such as boxed lunches, sandwiches, and snacks.

In addition, stores in and around terminal stations also carry travel goods, making it easy to get what you need for your trip!

Some stores also carry local specialties and limited edition products, making it very convenient to purchase souvenirs while traveling.

This is what makes Japanese convenience stores so great!

In fact, Japanese convenience stores are highly regarded around the world as “amazing” for their variety of services and convenience.

More than just a place to shop, Japanese convenience stores are equipped with a variety of functions to support your daily life, and there are many surprising points about them.

In this chapter, we will introduce in detail the unique attractions of Japanese convenience stores and their special features. The more you learn about them, the more you will be amazed at the unique charms of Japanese convenience stores!

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

One of the first major characteristics is that almost all stores are open “24 hours a day. Convenience stores that are open late at night or early in the morning are a convenient way to get what you need at any time of the day!

They are also very useful for travelers, as they can easily stop by after a late night of fun at a tourist spot or when leaving early in the morning.

Although a 24-hour operation system requires employee management and safety measures, the fact that this service is still maintained is a sign of the high level of service spirit of Japanese convenience stores. Japanese convenience stores are a dependable and reliable source of assistance not only in daily life, but also while traveling!

Anyway, it is very safe!

Next is its “high level of security. Japan is known worldwide as a safe country, and convenience stores are no exception.

They are well equipped so that women can drop in alone even late at night, and they are well received by tourists who feel safe and secure using them. Security cameras have been installed, and the bright lighting and well-organized layout of the store ensures open visibility, making users feel safe and secure in the store.

This kind of public safety has led to a place that is clean and easy for anyone to use!

Food is too good...!

The next point to mention is the easy availability of amazingly delicious food at Japanese convenience stores.

Onigiri (rice balls), sandwiches, bento boxes, beverages, snacks, sweets, etc., meet a wide range of needs, from standard items to limited edition products. The quality of the products is high, and all can be enjoyed at an affordable price.

The secret to their popularity is their packaging, which is designed to maximize the taste and appeal of Japanese ingredients while still making them easy to eat. (They have even thought out the consumer in great detail...!)

Many of the products are also nutritionally balanced, making them perfect for a quick meal. The ability to easily purchase such high quality food is also a unique feature of Japanese convenience stores not found in other countries.

One-stop shop with an incredible variety of products!

Its wide variety of products is one of its main attractions. Not only food and beverages, but also daily necessities, stationery, cosmetics, magazines, and even seasonal items are available. (Convenience stores are also indispensable for Japanese people!)

Each convenience store chain introduces new products and seasonal items one after another, offering an assortment that you will never get tired of. Like small supermarkets or department stores, Japanese convenience stores are convenient places for tourists and Japanese alike to discover new things and have fun.

Water heater and microwave can be used!

Many Japanese convenience stores are equipped with water heaters and microwave ovens that users can freely use, another point that surprises foreign travelers as a uniquely Japanese service.

It is very convenient to prepare hot drinks and heat up purchased food on the spot.

In most convenience stores, when you buy a boxed lunch, the cashier will ask you if you would like to heat it up. When you want to have your food heated, you can ask the cashier “Yes. If you want your food to be heated, answer “Yes! Water heaters that can make cup noodles and soups on the spot are self-serve, but they are also very convenient when you want to eat in the eat-in space! (*Both the water heater and microwave oven are free of charge.)

Restrooms and smoking areas are also available!

Convenience stores in Japan offer restrooms and smoking areas, and are valued by many as convenient places to stop by for purposes other than shopping. In fact, they also serve as 'comfortable resting spots!

In particular, the presence of restrooms that can be easily used while sightseeing or traveling is a helpful service for travelers. Clean and well-managed restrooms are one of the attractions of Japanese convenience stores, as they are safe to use and most stores provide them free of charge.

When you need to use the restroom, it is smooth to ask the convenience store clerk, “May I use your restroom? It is a good idea to ask the convenience store clerk if you can use the restroom!

Modernization is progressing rapidly!

Convenience stores in Japan are modernizing and new services are being introduced one after another.

In recent years, many convenience stores have installed mobile battery rental stations, providing a reassuring solution to the sudden loss of battery power for smartphones.

Shared mobility services such as shared bicycles and electric kick scooters are also offered as a means of transportation, greatly improving convenience while traveling and on the move.

Furthermore, touch-panel self-checkout machines that accept not only cash but also electronic money and QR code payments have been introduced and are becoming popular in many convenience stores. The introduction of an automatic replenishment system utilizing AI technology at FamilyMart, a major convenience store chain, has also attracted a great deal of attention.

In this way, Japanese convenience stores continue to provide a constantly convenient and user-friendly environment through the introduction of modern facilities and services.

Japanese Convenience Stores: Your Ultimate Travel Companion

There is one place that can make your trip to Japan even more convenient and comfortable: Japanese convenience stores. Here we will introduce some of the ways in which convenience stores are convenient for travelers visiting Japan. Japanese convenience stores are useful not only for shopping, but also for taking a short break or dealing with sudden problems.

In this chapter, we will tell you in detail about the convenient points that we hope you will take advantage of when traveling in Japan!

Take a break! A perfect rest stop when you need to recharge

For travelers visiting Japan, it is surprisingly difficult to find a “place to take a break” between sightseeing spots and transportation. In such cases, Japanese convenience stores can be a convenient place to take a break. Many convenience stores have eat-in areas, where you can enjoy your beverage or snacks in the comfort of your own home. The clean and neat space is perfect for refreshing your body after a long day of sightseeing or traveling.

Furthermore, Japanese convenience stores offer a wide range of food and beverages, from cold drinks and ice cream to hot coffee, allowing you to choose what you like according to the weather and your mood!

Feeling Hungry? Your Perfect Spot for Quick Bites

Japanese convenience stores are convenient when you want something light to eat in your hotel room or when you are hungry while traveling. In addition to onigiri (rice balls) and sandwiches, there are also a wide variety of foods such as cup ramen and soup that you can easily enjoy in your hotel room without getting your hands dirty. Many stores have water heaters for cup noodles, so you can enjoy a hot snack in the comfort of your room.

Also, many stores are open 24 hours a day, so you can stop by without worrying about the time!

Out of Cash? 24/7 ATM Access When You Need It Most

Cashless payment is widespread in Japan, but many restaurants, especially in rural areas and privately owned stores even in central Tokyo, are cash-only. There are times when you may run short of cash on hand while sightseeing. In such cases, Japanese convenience stores are convenient!

Each convenience store has an ATM, and more and more models accept cards issued overseas. You can withdraw cash using major credit and debit cards, so if your wallet is in a tight spot, please stop by your local convenience store.

Many ATMs at convenience stores are available 24 hours a day, making it convenient to withdraw cash without worrying about the time. (*Sometimes the same brand may not be available, so it is a good idea to check in advance.)

Running Low on Essentials? Your One-Stop Shop for Daily Necessities

There are times during your trip to Japan that you suddenly need “essentials” that you don't want to be without. For example, if you accidentally forget to bring underwear, or if your hotel lacks amenities, you can always rely on convenience stores.

Convenience stores in Japan have a well-stocked daily necessities section where travelers can easily purchase useful items such as underwear, socks, and toiletries. Furthermore, if your clothes become soiled due to a sudden change in weather or other happenings, you can quickly buy more. Sanitary items, essential for women, are also always in stock and available 24 hours a day at many convenience stores, so you can rest assured that even in the unlikely event of an emergency, you will find what you need.

The wide variety of product lineups also allows you to quickly solve “Troubleshooting! in Japan is one of the major attractions of convenience stores in Japan!

Exclusive finds! Discover unique items only available at convenience stores

Convenience stores in Japan offer a wide variety of “limited edition” products that are only available at that particular store. For example, “Ichiban Kuji Lottery” is a typical example. The prizes are collaboration items with anime, video games, and characters, and some items are not to be missed by those who love Japanese pop culture. This is a chance to obtain valuable items that are only available at convenience stores. Getting limited-edition Japanese goods will definitely make your trip special and memorable!

Convenience stores in each tourist destination and local city sell local specialties and local exclusive products, which are ideal as souvenirs that can be easily purchased. It may be fun to look for different products at convenience stores in each area during your trip!

Finally

How was it? In this article, we introduced Japanese convenience stores, their characteristics, and how to use them while traveling in Japan. Did you feel like visiting a Japanese convenience store? Or, do you now have a concrete image of your trip to Japan in mind?

We hope this article will help you to make your trip to Japan more fulfilling!

Thank you for reading to the end. See you again in the next article!