Convenience Stores in Japan: Top 3 Chains, Services, and Features

Japan's Convenience Stores: Services and Shopping at Seven-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart

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Japan's convenience stores (called konbini, or conbini in Japanese) offer not only grocery items, but also daily necessities, like magazines and even clothing.

In addition, customers can use ATMs, pay for tickets and bills, use a copy machine, reserve tickets for shows and museums, send letters and packages, and much more! These stores are truly convenient, and you can find almost anything you could want, all in one place.

Currently, there are over 50,000 convenience stores in Japan. Most convenience stores are open 24 hours a day, and they are literally everywhere, so they are perfect for shopping for food and essential items. Some people may wonder which convenience store to go to, as there are so many to choose from.

We'll introduce the features that convenience stores have in common with a focus on the distinctive characteristics of Japan's three most popular convenience store chains: Seven-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart.

Convenience Stores in Japan: A Guide

1. Convenience Store Services: ATMs, Tickets, Postal Service, and More
2. Top 3 Convenience Stores in Japan
- Seven-Eleven: High-Quality Private Labels
- Lawson: The Pioneer of High-Quality Conbini Sweets
- Family Mart: Loved for its Hot Food Lineup
3. Other Unique Convenience Stores in Japan
4. Famous Convenience Stores with Traditional Architecture
5. Delicious Seasonal Sweets and Foods
6. Hot and Cold Food and Products
7. Convenience Store Collaborations

1. Convenience Store Services: ATMs, Tickets, Postal Service, and More

In addition to selling food products and daily necessities, convenience stores offer a wide range of services that make them irreplaceable in the daily lives of the locals.

- All convenience stores are provided with copy machines that can also be used for printing or scanning documents. You can even print out photographs if you bring the digital photo data on a memory stick, CD, or another type of device. Printing apps from major convenience stores, like Seven-Eleven's Multicopy, allow you to print from your smartphone.

- Multi-purpose machines that can be used for ticket reservations are usually located near the copy machine. If you're looking for tickets to a certain event, exhibition, museum, or performance, look it up using the ticketing device and reserve your ticket. You can pay at the convenience store and get your ticket right away by redeeming it at the front counter.

- If you need to send a letter, a parcel, or even luggage to the airport, you can do that at any convenience store. Just ask the staff for assistance and they will swiftly answer your needs.

- Convenience stores are usually provided with ATMs with multi-language support. Most international credit card brands can be used at these ATMs for cash withdrawals.

Some larger stores even have an eat-in area with chairs and tables where customers can rest for a while and have a drink or a light meal. Microwave ovens and electric kettles are available for those who wish to warm up their food or add some boiling water on their instant ramen.

Continue reading to learn about the characteristics of the popular convenience store chains in Japan.

2. Top 3 Convenience Stores in Japan

Seven-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart are the convenience store chains with the most stores in Japan. T

That doesn't mean, however, that you'll find all three of them anywhere you go. Depending on the region, you may notice more branches of the same chain and almost none of the other two.

Let's take a closer look at their distinctive features.

Seven-Eleven: High-Quality Private Labels

Seven-Eleven is Japan's first convenience store and boasts the highest number of stores in Japan. Its private label, Seven Premium, is known for its rich variety of products and high quality that is even comparable to specialty stores.

Some of their specialty products are the tuna and mayonnaise flavor hand-roll rice ball (135 yen without tax), and Salad Chicken (235 yen without tax) are also quite popular.

You can distinguish Seven Premium products from others by the bright Seven-Eleven logo on them.

If you're looking for hot food, Seven-Eleven is famous for its Fried "Nana" Chicken (around 223 yen without tax). Its savory, crispy flavor will leave you craving for more. It is boneless and easy to eat.

In addition, you can withdraw money from bank accounts in and outside of Japan at the Seven Bank ATM. Their ATMs are very convenient when you're in need of some cash in a hurry.

Lawson: The Pioneer of High-Quality Conbini Sweets

Lawson is known to handle products that have fashionable designs of good quality. It is especially popular for its health foods and desserts.

Famous for its outstanding desserts, Lawson even has its own brand called UchiCafé SWEETS.

One of Lawson's signature desserts is the Premium Roll Cake (194 yen without tax). The quality of this cream-filled sponge cake is so high that it's hard to believe it's sold at a convenience store.

The Karaage-kun (238 yen without tax) is fried minced chicken meat. It's bite-sized and easy to eat, not to mention that it's delicious. Other than the standard types, they are always offering new, different, and unusual flavors that customers never get tired of.

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Other than the stores with the regular blue sign, Lawson has other stores with different focuses.

Natural Lawson, with a pink label, is popular for its wide variety of healthy foods, including organic, gluten-free, and vegan items. It is a great choice for those with dietary requirements and allergies, although please note that not every item is vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free, so it's important to check product labels before making a purchase.

While the items at Natural Lawson may be slightly more expensive, we believe that the unique products and healthy options the store offers are well worth the investment.

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Lawson Store 100 offers perishables and daily necessities at a low price, from 100 yen up. It offers fresh vegetables and other essential items so it is a convenient option if your local supermarket is closed and you need to replenish your supply of fresh ingredients.

These special stores are found mostly in large cities, like Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka. We recommend checking one out.

Family Mart: Loved for its Excellent Hot Foods

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FamilyMart is best known for one of its fried chicken snacks, the FamiChiki (204 yen without tax). It's so popular that many people go to FamilyMart just for the FamiChiki. The tenderness, the juiciness, and crispiness of this snack are all factors in its popularity. Because it's customary for the Japanese to eat fried chicken at Christmas, FamilyMart's FamiChiki is very convenient during the holiday season.

If you go to FamilyMart, you also have to check out the Oreno series. This series consists mainly of desserts and offers various types of large-portioned foods.

Also, some stores even have a special corner for MUJI products, which include toiletries and basic clothing items.

3. Other Unique Convenience Stores in Japan

Besides the leading three conbini chains introduced above, Japan is home to other convenience store chains that also enjoy great popularity.

Some of these are available only in a certain region, while others are available only along a certain train line. Check out the features of these innovative convenience stores below.

Seicomart: Hokkaido's Original Convenience Store Chain

Originally exclusive to Hokkaido, Seicomart has expanded its presence to Ibaraki, Saitama, and Tokyo.

Seicomart offers high-quality products made with ingredients grown in Hokkaido. The brand initially gained popularity with its iconic ice cream, a fitting choice for a prefecture known for its delicious and refreshing soft-serve varieties.

If you love Hokkaido cuisine, beverages, and sweets, there is a high chance you'll find some at Seicomart!

Ministop

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Though not as readily found as Lawson, Family Mart, or Seven-Eleven, Ministop is an exceptional convenience store that offers some of the finest fresh desserts, ice cream, and cooked food available in a store.

While Ministop provides guests with typical convenience store offerings like essentials, snacks, and packaged meals, it truly distinguishes itself with its selection of served food.

Customers can delight in purchasing seasonal-themed ice cream and parfaits that showcase new flavors each season, as well as indulging in fried food options such as crispy chicken and fries.

Daily Yamazaki

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Popular for its fresh-baked goods, Daily Yamazaki is a renowned outlet of the Yamazaki baking company, one of Japan's leading providers of baked goods.

Daily Yamazaki stores are known for offering items straight out of the oven, setting them apart from their competitors. Visitors can indulge in a variety of delightful products, including Baskin-Robbins ice cream and other delicious treats while savoring the aroma of freshly baked bread.

NewDays

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NewDays, the savior of hungry travelers, is a convenience store chain operated by the retail company JR East Cross Station Co., Ltd.

Located within JR stations, typically as a platform kiosk, NewDays provides conveniently portable food and drinks for those on the go, serving as an ideal spot to grab refreshments for a Shinkansen ride or a day of exploration!

Tomony

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Seibu Line's welcoming Tomony stores warmly welcome travelers with their vibrant orange storefronts, catering exclusively to commuters passing through stations served by Seibu Railways.

Operated by Family Mart, this store is exclusive to the Seibu Ikebukuro and Seibu Shinjuku Lines, connecting the lively Shinjuku and Ikebukuro stations to the charming cities of Tokorozawa, Kawagoe, and Chichibu.

4. Convenience Stores with Traditional Architecture in Historical Districts

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When you travel to cities like Kyoto or Karuizawa, you might notice that the typical logos of popular convenience stores appear in a different, more subdued color.

This is because Japan has a series of special regulations known as the "Ordinance regarding Landscape," by which convenience stores and other modern facilities located within historical districts need to blend in harmoniously with the surroundings. This is a measure in order to maintain the authentic atmosphere of the area.

5. Seasonal Sweets and Foods Offered by Convenience Stores

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Seasonal flavors and food are among the most thrilling aspects of visiting and residing in Japan! Every year, convenience stores introduce an array of new seasonal products, and if you're fortunate, they may also bring back beloved favorites to their shelves.

Incorporating fresh locally grown ingredients that flourish in each season, these shops offer distinctly themed food that is deeply intertwined with seasonal festivities.

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In spring, as cherry blossoms bloom, visitors can find a delightful array of flavored goods, including strawberries, adorned with beautiful pink designs.

As spring transitions into the rainy season, the focus shifts to rich matcha green tea desserts. During summer, refreshing flavors such as chocolate mint and watermelon are highly sought after.

As autumn approaches, sweet potato and chestnut flavors take center stage, while winter brings a desire for hot food, as well as strawberries and apples.

6. Hot and Cold Food and Products

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Regardless of the season, convenience stores in Japan offer a variety of both hot and cold food options. Visitors can purchase cold items like rice balls, salads, and sandwiches. Alternatively, they can choose bento boxes that can be enjoyed either cold or hot.

When buying heatable items, store staff will inquire whether you would like your meal to be warmed up with the phrase "Kochira atatamemasu ka?" If you respond affirmatively, they will proceed to microwave the meal. If you decline, they will leave the food as it is.

During the summer, stores stock refreshing products to help cool you down, such as cooling towels, body cleansing products, and electrolyte sports drinks.

In the winter, warm bottled drinks and heat packs are available, along with other items designed to keep people comfortable in each season.

7. Fun Convenience Store Collaborations

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Convenience stores in Japan stand out not only for their delectable food offerings but also for their campaigns and collaborations. Each month, you can find popular characters and celebrities from anime, TV shows, video games, and more at various convenience stores.

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These collaborations bring forth exclusive limited edition food items, unique packaging designs, as well as an assortment of merchandise such as night lights and character-themed bags. Every visit to a convenience store promises a delightful surprise! Previous collaborations have featured beloved characters and celebrities like Mario, Gudetama, Monster Hunter, Kirby, and BTS.

Enjoy Shopping at Japan's Convenience Stores

There are various other convenience store chains in Japan besides those that we introduced today. Some can only be found in the countryside, and each of them has its own special qualities.

Even the rice balls (onigiri) have unique ingredients or flavors, so we encourage you to taste and compare them yourself. If you see a convenience store in town, there's no reason not to stop by!

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