Convenience stores in Japan (known as ‘konbinis’) are big business – there are over 55,000 thousand konbinis in Japan, the largest of which is 7-Eleven Japan with 22,000 stores!
From konbini bento boxes to oden hot counters and oodles of noodles, no trip to Japan is complete without at least one trip to a convenience store – generally open 24 /7 and selling beer to bread, soap to sake, we’re saying ‘kanpai’ to ‘konbinis’ in Japan.
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We will list the biggest and best convenience stores in Japan, plus highlight some of the more unique konbinis in Japan, including a Dragon Quest themed Lawson – and let’s not forget the cult of Japanese egg sandwiches, one of the most popular konbini purchases.
From onigiri to karaage, sushi to smoothies, here is our guide to shopping in konbinis in Japan with photos.
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What is a konbini / konbinis?
Konbini (コンビニ) is a Japanese convenience store, shortened from the fuller konbiniensu sutoa (コンビニエンスストア).
Konbinis are so popular in Japan as they sell a wide range of hot and cold foods, drinks, alcohol, cigarettes and house-hold items plus many stay open 24 hours a day (generally in the bigger cities).
Service is quick in konbinis and many locals also like to pay their household bills, use the ATM machines or pick up sports tickets like baseball or sumo wrestling.
Most homes in Japanese cities are less than five minutes walk away from a konbini so they are literally convenience stores; some residents also prefer the limited social interaction (similar to why Japanese vending machines are so popular).
The biggest konbinis in Japan are 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, Daily Yamazaki and Mini Stop – there are also regional konbini chains in Japan such as ‘Seicomart’ in Hokkaido, where it is even bigger than 7-Eleven.
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Konbini Japan stats and facts – which is the largest convenience store in Japan?
Of the 55,000 konbinis in Japan in 2024, the biggest chain of konbinis in Japan is 7-Eleven with over 22,000 stores, followed by FamilyMart then Lawson.
Based on number of stores, the six biggest konbinis in Japan as of summer 2024 are:
- 7-Eleven Japan – 22,000 stores
- Family Mart – 16,200 stores
- Lawson Japan – 15,000 stores
- Mini Stop – 2,100 stores
- Daily Yamazaki – 1,400 stores
- Seicomart – 1,200 stores (Hokkaido only)
Based on 2023 stats from Statista, 7-Eleven Japan is also the most preferred Japanese convenience store with 80% of Japanese consumers saying they regularly visited 7-Eleven.
The very first konbini in Japan was a 7-Eleven that opened in Toyosu (Tokyo) in 1969 and is still open today, 55 years later!
And the first FamilyMart Japan began in 1973 opening its first store in Sayama, initially trading under the name Seiyu stores.
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What can you buy in Japanese konbinis?
In fact, it is more a case of what you can’t buy in konbinis – these small shops cram in so much stuff on their limited shelf space. Some of the most popular items you can buy in Japanese konbinis include:
Cup / instant noodles
With aisle upon aisle dedicated to this most famous of Japanese products, we can say there are literally oodles of noodles – most have hot water machines too so you can slurp in-store.
You might like – Our guide to the Cup Noodles Museum or the Ramen Museum
Sandwiches
Although konbinis in Japan are most famous for their egg sandwiches (and deservedly so in our opinion), the konbini chiller cabinets are always full of fine, fresh sandwiches like the yakisoba and cabbage sandwich or shrimp cutlet and sauce sandwich.
And it isn’t just savory sandwiches – Japanese konbinis often have sweet sandwiches like strawberries, custard and whipped cream sandwiches.
Read our guide to Japanese egg sandwiches (tamago sando) including which we think is the best >
Onigiri
Located in the chiller section, these are one of the most popular cold snacks at konbinis – get there early if you have a favorite flavor of onigiri as the popular ones sell out quickly.
These healthy (ish) snacks are available in a range of flavors like tuna mayonnaise, salmon roe and bonito flakes.
Most konbini onigiris are priced around 140 to 170 Yen so for travelers, these nice rice snacks often cost less than £1 / $1USD.
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Konbini counters / skewers
One of the best food sections to try at konbinis is the hot counter, usually right next to the cashier desk where you pay.
The hot plate section often has skewers of meat, containers of fried chicken (more on this later), hash browns, spring rolls, meat cutlets and salty fried sausage.
Pre-heated and ready to go, this is one of the most popular konbini / convenience store products to try in Japan.
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Fried chicken / karaage / yakitori
Hot fried / grilled chicken is very popular in konbinis – so much so that most Japanese convenience stores bring out limited edition fried chicken flavors (Lawson in particular) like fish roe or lemon basil chicken.
The great debate rages on as to which konbini / convenience store does the best hot chicken – it is usually a toss-up between Lawson’s karaage or FamilyMart’s Famichiki range.
Read our guide to Lawson konbini karaage fried chicken >
Smoothies
Yes, one of the most viral konbini products (especially in Japan 7-Eleven) is the sublime smoothies.
To get your smoothie you first have to choose which flavor you want from the freezer – there are several varieties of cut up fruits / veggies in plastic cups.
After paying for it at the till, you take it over to a special machine where you scan the barcode on the cup, remove the seal and then pop the cup inside the machine which will blend your smoothie for you!
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Do konbinis in Japan sell beer / alcohol?
Yes, all konbinis in Japan sell beer, wine and spirits like whiskey and sake – amazingly you can buy alcohol and beer in konbinis 24 hours a day in Japan (but please drink responsibly).
One of their biggest alcohol ranges in convenience stores in Japan is highballs (whiskey and soda) in cans.
Konbinis 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!
There is also a famous 7-Eleven in Yokohama that specialises in craft beer – we’ll go into unusual and themed konbinis below.
Read more in our 7-Eleven Japan beer, sake and alcohol guide >
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Themed konbinis in Japan
With so many konbinis in Japan, they sometimes all blend into one but there are several unique konbinis and themed convenience stores you might want to visit:
Dragon Quest themed Lawson stores in Osaka and Tokyo
The Dragon Quest themed Lawson konbinis will bring out your inner ‘otaku’ in Osaka – a second newer Dragon Quest Lawson also opened in Shibuya in 2023, after the former Akihabara one closed down.
The first thing you notice when you first visit the themed Lawson is how the store-front has been taken over with all the online characters and dragons like Slime, Dracky, Weartiger and Erik from original Dragon Quest – very cool.
As you go through the front door, the usual Lawson door entrance doorbell chime and greeting is replaced by words spoken by the characters.
The store has lots of Dragon Quest merchandise inside too and even the chillers and freezers are branded and covered in monsters.
Want to see more? Read our guide to the themed Lawson Dragon Quest convenience store >
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Yokohama craft beer Hammerheads 7-Eleven
One of the most famous 7-Elevens in Japan is the Yokohama 7-Eleven Hammerheads branch which specialises in international and Japanese craft beer.
We’ve visited Yokohama’s viral craft beer 7-Eleven and it is amazing! There are over 500 different craft beers from all over the world plus lots of beer merchandise – cheers!
The owner was struggling to get regular customers during the COVID pandemic so decided to bring in the beer – it has been super popular ever since!
Read our guide to the famous 7-Eleven craft beer store in Yokohama or our Yokohama guide.
The famous Lawson Mount Fuji store
Perhaps the biggest konbini Japan news story in 2024 has been the Lawson convenience store in Fujikawaguchiko that had such incredible views of Mt Fuji behind it.
Thousands have stopped to take a picture of Japan’s most pretty convenience store with Mount Fuji as the beautiful backdrop.
However, recently overtourism and visitors stopping to take pictures on the road, parking in weird spots or staying too long have caused Lawson to take matters into their own hands and erect a barrier to cover up the view – and this is why we can’t have nice things!
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Train themed 7-Eleven
We also spotted this train themed 7-Eleven in the train station at Fukuoka Airport.
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Lawson 100 store & Natural Lawson
Lawson 100 stores are a little less frequent in Japan, but they offer a much bigger fresh food and chiller cabinets range, ideal for takeaway lunches or on the go snacks.
Japanese Lawson 100 stores launched in late 2013 and get their name from all of the 100 Yen groceries (however most prices have gone up since the launch over 10 years ago) and their exclusive 100 Yen series of products.
In addition to the special Lawson 100 stores, there is also a smaller chain of Natural Lawson stores, famed for their crimson exteriors and healthier product lines, selling more fruits, nuts and seeds plus low sugar drinks.
Fun fact!
Did you know 7-Eleven in Taiwan has over 100 themed stores, from Pokemon to Hello Kitty, Snoopy to Sumikko Gurashi and Mofusand. Read 14 facts about about Taiwan 7-Elevens here >
Spotlight on the big 5 konbini chains
When in Japan, seeing several konbinis on the same street (sometimes even next door to each other) is a common occurrence.
Let’s take a look at the big 5 konbinis in Japan:
7-Eleven Japan
The best known konbini in Japan (and also across the world), Japan has 22,000 7-Elevens, the most in the world followed by 13,000 in the USA & Canada, 12,000 in Thailand and 7,000 7-Elevens in Taiwan.
We like 7-Eleven Japan for their huge craft beer selections, good fresh salad selection and social-media sensation smoothies.
You might like our guide to 7-Eleven stores in Japan >
FamilyMart Japan
The second biggest konbini chain in Japan with over 16,000 stores, FamilyMart Japan began in 1973 opening its first store in Sayama.
The convenience store chain became very popular, very quickly after launching a successful range of boxed lunches and chilled fast food in the early 1980s.
Over the years, FamilyMart JP has 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 has since gone stratospheric (yes, it really is that good!)
In total, there are around 24,100 FamilyMart stores worldwide as of summer 2024, including around 8,000 FamilyMarts outside of Japan in Taiwan and Vietnam.
You might like our FamilyMart Japan food, drink & things to buy guide >
Lawson Japan
The third biggest konbini in Japan, Lawson has around 15,000 convenience stores in Japan including its Lawson 100 and Lawson Natural shops.
Lawsons Karaage (fried chicken) is so popular, it has numerous celebrity fans like Katy Perry plus their cartoon chicken mascot even has their own merchandise range including gachapons and plushies.
Such is the love for Lawson livery and the iconic Lawson light and milk urn, Lawson recently released a range of their own merchandise like a Lawson lamp.
We like Lawson for their karaage chicken plus we think they make the best konbini egg sandwich in Japan – the bread is so fluffy and the egg mayo is flavored just right!
You might like our top 15 facts about Lawson guide >
Daily Yamazaki
Not as well known as the big 3 konbinis, Daily Yamazaki is still a huge player on the Japanese convenience store scene with 1,400 stores across Japan.
We like Daily Yamazaki as it has the best konbini bakery and bread selection in its ‘Daily Hot’ bakeries.
The chain of Daily Yamazaki stores in Japan began in late 1977 and is owned by Yamazaki Baking, Japan’s largest bakery company that has headquarters in Tokyo – many of these Yamazaki Baking products are sold in stores.
You might like our guide to Daily Yamazaki konbinis >
Seicomart
This one is for the convenience store connoisseurs amongst you. Heading to Hokkaido or off to Sapporo soon? Then keep an eye out for the Seicomart convenience store chain, unique to Hokkaido and bigger than 7-Eleven or Japan in this part of Japan.
Rated as one of the best convenience stores in Japan with their own in store bakeries and ‘Hot Chef’ counters, Seicomart Japan has 1,200 stores across Hokkaido, Japan’s most northernmost island.
Focused on producing products that promote the very best of Hokkaido natural ingredients like milk and melons, Seicomart has lots of own brand products like ice cream, alcohol, fresh milk and soft drinks.
You might like our guide to Seicomart stores >
Useful konbini phrases in Japanese
Finally, here at Plan My Japan, we really know how to spoil you – if you want to speak Japanese in convenience stores, these are the top five konbini phrases and words you might want to know (unless you prefer the ‘pointy finger’ dance at the counter).
Japanese phrase: “Irasshaimase”
Translation: Welcome!
This is the greeting you’ll hear from store staff most of the time – they say it to all customers and is a polite greeting. You don’t need to acknowledge but a smile is always appreciated.
Japanese: _ _ _ o kudasai?
Translation: May I have (insert snack or brand name)?
This is an easy one to remember, if you can’t find the snack or drink you are looking for. We most often use the word ‘biru’ here – which is beer!
Japanese: Bineeru bukuro
Translation: Plastic bag
You’ll be asked if you want a bag literally every time – learn this phrase or just hold your own shopping bag.
Japanese: Atatamemashouka
Translation: Do you want it heated up?
Some stores have microwaves in the cafe section whilst some are kept behind the counter? Alternatively just say ‘Atsui’ – hot.
Japanese: Tamago sando
Translation: Egg sandwich
C’mon – you know you’ll be eating at least one of these konbini egg sandwiches so you might as well know the proper name for it!
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