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Visiting convenience stores is a classic traveller rite of passage when in Japan – and one of Japan’s biggest and best convenience stores is FamilyMart Japan (JP).
Japan has over 55,000 convenience stores (or ‘konbini’ コンビニ as they are known locally) and the most popular shops are FamilyMart Japan, 7-Eleven and Lawson.
Although the Land of the Rising Sun is famous for its incredible food scene and restaurants, sometimes on your travels all you want is some quick fried chicken or egg sandwich to go – FamilyMart is also a good place to buy Japanese beers and spirits.
Whilst there are lots of common snacks and bites to eat like onigiri or bento boxes to go, each convenience store has their own take on classic snacks like chicken karaage – Family Mart is very famous for its Famichiki (FamilyMart chicken).
Often open 24/7 selling everything from yakitori to Yakult, here is ultimate guide to the FamilyMart Japan menu and best food and drinks to buy:
How many FamilyMart Japan stores are there
As of April 2024, there are around 15,330 FamilyMart stores in Japan – if you also include the Family Mart sub-brands in Japan (Minami-Kyushu FamilyMart, JR KYUSHU RETAIL and Okinawa FamilyMart), it brings to over 16,200 FamilyMarts.
FamilyMart is the second biggest convenience store in Japan with its 16,000+ stores. 7-Eleven Japan is Japan’s biggest convenience store chain with 22,000 stores whilst Lawson has around 15,000 stores in Japan as of 2024.
Other popular convenience store chains (konbinis) in Japan include Seicomart (in Hokkaido), Daily Yamazaki and MiniStop.
You might like – The cult of Lawson fried chicken karaage >
The beginnings / history of FamilyMart Japan
FamilyMart Japan began in 1973 opening its first store in Sayama, initially trading under the name Seiyu stores) – the first FamilyMart JP branded store opened in 1978.
FamilyMart JP started to become very popular, very quickly after launching a successful range of boxed lunches and chilled fast food in 1982 – nouvelle cuisine eh. By 1987, FamilyMart reached a milestone by opening its 1,000th store.
Over the years, FamilyMart JP have rapidly grown by buying up other convenience store chains like AM/PM and Circle K and rebranding them as FamilyMart. Their famous Famichiki fried chicken range launched in 2006 and since gone stratospheric (yes, it really is that good!)
In total, there are around 24,100 FamilyMart stores worldwide as of April 2024, including around 8,000 FamilyMarts outside of Japan in Taiwan, Vietnam and until recently Thailand (they are now branded as ‘Tops’ in Thailand).
You might like – Our guide to the Dragon Quest themed Lawson in Osaka >
Does FamilyMart Japan sell alcohol and beer?
Kanpai! Yes, FamilyMart JP sells beer, wine and spirits like whiskey and sake – one of their biggest alcohol ranges is prepackaged highballs (whiskey and soda) in cans.
FamilyMarts often have dedicated beer and highball cabinets plus an aisle / shelf of wines – spirits are sometimes kept behind the counter. So ask the counter-staff politely before you proceed to enjoy Suntory time!
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Are FamilyMart stores in Japan open 24/7?
In the major cities like Osaka and Tokyo, most of the downtown branches of FamilyMart Japan are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
However, in quieter areas or out of the cities, many Family Mart JPs open early morning (6am to 7am) and close around 11pm or midnight – it really varies from city to city.
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FamilyMart Japan ATMs
FamilyMart JP introduced FamilyMart ATMs in 1999 – you can use overseas debit cards to withdraw money.
Most FamilyMart Japan stores have ATMs – they are either usually branded as E-net ATM or Japan Post Bank ATM. Overseas debit card fees and currency change fees may apply.
FamilyMart JP does not currently have their own bank or FamilyMart branded ATMs (unlike 7-Eleven Japan which has 7-Eleven Bank).
You might like – Our guide to using 7-Eleven ATMs in Japan + photos >
Food/ drink/ products you can buy in a JapanFamily Mart store
1. Famichiki
Here at ‘Plan My Japan’, we are huge fans of konbini / convenience store fried chicken in Japan – so much so we wrote this article about the cult of convenience store Kara-age Kun Nuggets in Japan here.
Family Mart’s Famichiki is boneless hot fried chicken served in warm cabinets usually by the till – many convenience store connaisseurs swear that Japan’s best fried chicken in convenience stores is Famichiki.
Famichiki is the bomb and an affordable konbini hot-snack – FamilyMart Japan’s menu of Famichiki usually starts from around 220 Yen per portion (around £1.10 or $1.40 USD a portion) – clucking good value!
You might like – Guide to Japan’s Seicomart convenience stores in Hokkaido >
2. Instant Noodles and Cup Noodles/ Instant Noodles
One of FamilyMart JP’s biggest selling products is instant noodles, with at least one aisle in every store solely dedicated to oodles of noodles – a very cheap Japanese convenience store snack too often costing less than 100 Yen.
Better yet, all FamilyMarts in Japan have a hot water tap or urn meaning you can heat and eat your noodles in store (obviously after you’ve paid for them – slurping instore is good!)
Instant cup noodles and ramen noodles are always very popular with famous brands like Nissin cup noodles or UFO readily available in FamilyMart.
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3. FamilyMart Japan Egg sandwiches – ‘tamago sando’
An egg-cellent reason to visit FamilyMart (or any other konbini for that matter), egg sandwiches are perhaps the most famous / iconic thing to buy for travellers in convenience stores.
Called ‘tamago sando’ locally, egg sandwiches are the number 1 selling convenience store sandwich in Japan and even Anthony Bourdain (RIP) was a huge fan and mentioned his egg sandwich lust in the Okinawa edition of ‘Parts Unknown’.
Family Mart egg sandwiches / ‘tamago sando’ are pretty good and along with Daily Yamazaki, always seem to be the most generous / bulging eggy portions.
Incidentally – we rate Lawson egg sandwiches as the best convenience store egg sandwiches in Japan. We like them as the Lawson bread is so super soft and egg filling isn’t too bulging or salty. What do you think / do you agree? Hit us up in the comments below!
You might like – Plan My Japan’s guide to the best convenience store egg sandwiches >
4. Other weird and wonderful sandwiches
It isn’t just egg sandwiches either – FamilyMart Japan’s menu of sandwiches is massive, with everything from chicken katsu sandwiches to more conventional lettuce, ham, egg and cheese sandwiches (just 278 Yen – bargain).
And one way to help with your 5 fruit a day intake (probably) is the Family Mart Strawberry, Yellow Peach and Tangerine sandwich – very colourful and fruity AF.
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5. Dessert buns and breakfast toasties – Famima Bakery
FamilyMart’s Bakery section is known as Famima Bakery and you’ll often find some unexpected treats here.
We were particularly taken with the strawberry and milk bun, costing just 138 Yen – a ‘sweet as’ bakery bun bargain – so ‘sugar rush’ out and get it at your nearest FamilyMart JP store.
You might like – 15 Facts about Lawson Japan Convenience Stores >
6. Onigiri
Located in the refrigerated section and a very ‘rice’ thing to snack on, these are one of the most popular cold snacks at FamilyMart across Asia, not just in Japan.
These onigiri rice triangles come in a variety of flavours including tuna, salmon and chicken and are wrapped with a nori / seaweed coating.
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7. Hot Counters
One of the best food sections to try at FamilyMart Japan is the hot counter, usually right next to the cashier desk where you pay.
Here as well as the famous Famichiki and chicken karaage nuggets, you’ll find a whole host of FamilyMart meats and treats including chicken meatball skewers, jumbo sausages, hash browns and gratin croquettes (oooh, fancy!)
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8. Chicken Yakitori skewers
Some (but not all) Family Mart menus in Japan also have a dedicated chicken yakitori hot cabinets – in case you aren’t a fan of Famichiki (don’t be a ‘chicken’ – try it)!
Family Mart’s marinated chicken skewers come in a wide variety of flavours, from soy sauce grilled chicken thigh to salty skewers – most yakitori skewers cost around the 128 Yen mark.
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9. Buns / Baos
Many Family Mart JP stores have hot buns (and we aren’t talking about the staff). We mean bao bun sections with hot cabinets consisting of several different flavoured buns to take out and eat.
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10. Strawberry souffle pudding / Sakura Seasonal Products like strawberry mochi
A personal recommendation but we were smitten by Family Mart’s Famima bakery strawberry souffle pudding topped with whipped cream – a decadent dessert if ever there was one.
We visited during cherry blossom season / sakura time so we hope they aren’t seasonal but they taste amazing and cost just 298 Yen.
And if you are lucky enough to visit FamilyMart Japan during cherry blossoms, you’ll be blown away by all the limited edition strawberry snacks like strawberry mochi. A bit like Pokemon, you gotta catch them all (before they go).
You might like – Our guide to Kyoto’s best cherry blossom spots + photos >
11. Curry Sauces
Japanese Curry sauce packets may not be much good on your travels (unless you are self-catering or in an apartment with a kitchen) but these spicy sauces are a popular gift to take back in your suitcase and try at home.
FamilyMart has huge rows of various Japanese curry sauces including their own brand curry sauces like beef curry, green curry and keema curry.
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12. FamilyMart Japan Soups
Soup-er stuff; FamilyMart have their own range of dried soups (including Miso) that you either take home to enjoy or add water to in store. Flavours range from nameko mushroom to Ise Shima Aosa Sea Lettuce.
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13. Ice creams
FamilyMart Japan isn’t short of frozen sweet-treats – every store has a cabinet chock full of n-’ice’ things to eat.
Be sure to try the Japan wafer ice-cream sandwiches, easily our favourite Japanese convenience store ice-cream. You might find international ice-brands too like Haagen Daz.
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14. Crisps and Tempura Snacks
Generally every FamilyMart store in Japan has at least one huge aisle of brightly packaged potato chips and corn based snacks, often with really interesting local flavours like cheesy gratin, aromatic garlic or squid.
The biggest crisp manufacturer seems to be Calbee, who have so many different brands like Calbee Jagabee (a bit like potato sticks) – these are available in every Japanese convenience store.
One Family Mart snack that caught our eye was squid and seaweed tempura snacks – crispy! And we also really liked Family Mart’s own-brand squid ink potato chips.
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15. Electrics and Cables
It is isn’t just food at FamilyMart – here you’ll find various charging cables, electronic equipment and devices.
Many stores also sell international plug adaptors which can be very useful in hotels.
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16. Hot coffees / cold coffees
FamilyMart stores in Japan sell hot coffees either in their hot cabinets (like a fridge…but warm!) or from the cafe section behind some counters.
Ice coffee is also available in the chilled sections including brands like Boss, UCC and Doutour.
Be it iced coffee or hot coffee, FamilyMart in Japan is always good for a caffeine fix.
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17. FamilyMart Japan Ready meals
Ready for your meal? There are loads of convenient konbini microwave meals / ready meals to choose from in FamilyMart JP (which the staff will gladly heat up for you in the microwaves behind the counter).
Remember though that eating out in Japan can be very cheap, especially at chain restaurants like Saizeriya or Matsunoya.
18. Bento Boxes
We are really big on bento boxes – lots of flavours and different foods packed into one box, bento boxes are easily one of the biggest sellers and widest ranges of fresh foods at Family Mart JP .
Some of the best bento boxes available include chicken karaage bento with rice or lots of soba noodle dishes with pork.
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19. Soft Drinks
As you’d expect from Family Mart’s capacious fridge section there are lots of soft drinks to enjoy – as well as your usual Pepsi, Sprites and Coca-Cola brands, you’ll find lots of flavours you won’t find elsewhere in the world.
One of our favourite Japanese soft drink discoveries was CC Lemon (loads of vitamin c and very refreshing) plus golden grape flavored Fanta (a revelation!).
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20. FamilyMart Japan Chocolate
Japanese chocolate isn’t just about Kit Kats (although there are a lot of Japanese Kit Kat flavours). From Crunky to Dars, Meiji Milk Chocolate to Meltykiss, Family Mart has all your chocolate choices covered.
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21. FamilyMart beer, alcohol and wine
Mainstream beers like Asahi, Kirin and Sapporo dominate the beer sections at FamilyMart in Japan but some also include craft beer and small batch brewery cans.
Look out for limited edition beers during seasons and festivals like the pink coloured Asahi beer cans during the cherry blossom season.
Most beers in FamilyMart come in various sizes including 350ml cans and 500ml cans plus bottles.
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22. Whiskey, sake, highballs and spirits
Whiskey in Japan is one of the most widely drunk spirits in Japan and you’ll find a wide array of both Japanese and international whiskeys at FamilyMart JP.
If you’d prefer, Japanese high-balls (whiskey and mixers) can be found in chilled RTD cans – premixed Japanese highballs are incredibly cheap, often costing less than a £1 / $1 a go. But for goodness ‘sake’, please remember to drink responsibly.
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23. FamilyMart Japan Matcha Products
Matcha made in heaven – Macha products are BIG in Japan, and we’ve tried everything from matcha canales in FamilyMart to Matcha Chocolate Covered Karinto (mmm, deep fried and filling!)
You might like – the cult of Japanese vending machines >
24. Croquette Buns
Carb alert. Yes, that is right – Famima Bakery in Family Mart sell deep fried croquettes served in bread buns!
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Our final thing to buy in FamilyMart Japan
25. Umbrellas and Muji Socks
Don’t get wet – it isn’t just food and drink available. Umbrellas are always handy for those unexpected wet days in Japan.
Or if you haven’t packed enough socks or just got them wet whilst out, you can stock up on socks too. And not just any socks. Muji has lines of clothing in larger FamilyMart Japan stores.
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