If you think convenience stores are just pit stops for instant noodles and weak coffee, it’s time to get acquainted with the Japanese konbini.
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Short for konbiniensu sutoru, these stores are everywhere in Japan – often within a few minutes’ walk from wherever you are. Many stay open late or round the clock, their bright signs glowing like reliable beacons for late-night snacks, early-morning fuel, or even after-hours retail therapy.
The best-known chains are FamilyMart, Lawson and 7-Eleven, but there are also smaller or regional players worth seeking out, such as Seicomart in Hokkaido or Daily Yamazaki, which is known for its baked goods.
More than just shelves of food and daily essentials, a konbini is a compact reflection of everyday Japanese life.
Here, you’ll find bento boxes, sandwiches, pastries and hot snacks, alongside life’s basics such as toiletries, magazines, charging cables, and even clothing. Konbinis also offer practical services like ATMs (which usually accept foreign cards), Wi-Fi, parcel pick-ups, ticket reservations – and even a spotless toilet in some of the larger locations.
This is why, for travellers, konbinis can be more than a utilitarian stopover. They’re a portal into the country’s rhythm, accessible to anyone willing to step inside.
And sometimes, all it takes to feel like a local is the mere action of smoothly scooping up a mentaiko onigiri (pollack roe rice ball) or a tamago sando (egg and mayonnaise sandwich) and a bottle of green tea for a five-minute lunch.
Lead photo: Julien. Above photos: Karen Tee, Romeo A, Karen Tee
Konbini etiquette 101
If you’re new to the whole konbini thing, there are a few points of etiquette worth noting.
First, like most Japanese shops, the aisles can be tight, so be mindful of other shoppers and give way if someone needs to pass through.
If you’re ordering hot snacks from the counter – from crispy karaage chicken to oden simmering away in broth – make sure you decide what you want before it’s your turn to pay. It’s good manners to keep the line moving, even if konbini cashiers are famously patient.
And once you’ve secured your haul, resist the urge to snack while strolling. Eating on the go isn’t the norm in Japan, so polish off that fried chicken or curry bun either at the store’s small dining corner (if available) or just outside.
Finally, take advantage of the konbini’s trash and recycling bins – one of the few public places you’ll reliably find them – unless you’re prepared to carry your rubbish around all day.
Photos: Karen Tee, Siddesh Mangela, Karen Tee
The big three
Now that you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to play favourites. Each of the three major konbini brands has its own quirks and cult products – like Lawson’s egg sandwiches, or FamilyMart’s fried chicken. Here are some of the defining characteristics of each big-brand konbini.
7-Eleven
The undisputed giant of the konbini world with the most number of stores in the country, 7-Eleven is the chain you’ll likely see most frequently. Beyond its ubiquity, it has earned a reputation for surprisingly fresh food. Neatly cut sandwiches made with soft, pillowy bread are a popular quick bite, and many swear by its consistently good coffee. Its fried chicken, crisp with a perfectly salted skin, happens to be my underrated contender for the best konbini chicken of the lot.
Look around the shelves and you’ll also see its whimsical side. Some outlets stock character goods like Sanrio merch, anime tie-ins or prettily packaged seasonal snacks. This year, Osaka branches were filled with limited-edition Expo 2025 souvenirs, making the store a convenient place to pick up some omiyage on the fly, too.
FamilyMart
Affectionately known as Famima, FamilyMart has built a loyal following not just for its food, but its surprisingly broad range of lifestyle products. Alongside the usual snacks and bentos, you’ll usually find a Convenience Wear section with racks of basic clothing, totes and towels bearing a stylish twist – think striped socks in the distinctive green and blue of the konbini’s logo.
Things will soon get even more interesting: the brand recently tapped Nigo, founder of cult streetwear label A Bathing Ape, as its creative director, and his first collaboration is set to drop in spring 2026.
Food-wise, Famima is most famous for its FamiChiki – juicy fried chicken that comes in a range of flavours. For something more substantial, the generously sized Spam musubi rice balls are a bestseller (try the version with tuna mayonnaise).
Lawson
If you’re a sandwich enthusiast, Lawson is the konbini to beat. Its tamago sando – fluffy milk bread cradling a creamy, golden egg filling – is a cult favourite, and many self-professed sando lovers (myself included) would argue it’s the best of the lot. The seasonal fruit sandos, layered with fresh fruit and clouds of whipped cream, are another crowd-pleaser.
Beyond sandwiches, Lawson’s shelves are lined with delights like airy roll cakes and cream puffs, and a strong lineup of house-brand snacks that make for excellent travel nibbles.
Some outlets even stock a small selection of minimalist Muji products from stationery to skincare, adding a touch of Japanese design to your konbini run.
The Lawson family also extends beyond the familiar blue storefront: Natural Lawson outlets, with their sleek interiors, have gained a following among health-conscious city dwellers for their focus on organic, low-carb and premium products.
Meanwhile, Lawson 100 offers groceries and daily necessities priced at just 100 yen – a lifesaver for budget-conscious travellers and locals alike.
Photos: Gilbert Ng, Karen Tee
Other notable konbinis
Japan’s charming smaller konbini chains are worth exploring, too. Daily Yamazaki, mostly found in large cities like Tokyo and Osaka, is a bakery-lover’s delight, with fluffy melonpan, soft breads and its signature egg sandwiches packed with generous chunks of creamy egg.
Seicomart, found only in Hokkaido, highlights the region’s best products like its rich ice cream and milk. If you’re feeling munchy, its Hot Chef meals, made fresh onsite, make for deliciously hearty bites.
Finally, NewDays, found at JR East stations, is ideal for grabbing regional snacks or on-the-go bites to last a shinkansen ride. If you’re looking for a trusty travel companion on your rail ride, this is it.
