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 should be high on your hit list next time you are in Hokkaido, Japan’s most northernmost island.
This post may contain affiliate links to tours and hotels. These help us earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.
The Japanese ‘konbini’ (convenience store) scene is big business with just under 60,000 convenience stores across Japan as of 2024.
7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMarts are really common in Japan (ubiquitous?) so it was a surprise to head to Sapporo recently and discover the superb Seicomart chain of shops.
Here is our guide to Hoikkaido’s Seicomart, Japan’s best kept convenience store secret and konbini chain.
You might like – Guide to Don Quijote, Japan’s best (and most fun!) discount store >
What is Seicomart Japan?
Seicomart is a chain of Japanese convenience stores (referred to in Japanese as Konbini or ‘combini’) that are solely found on the island of Hokkaido.
Unlike 7-Eleven and Lawson which are nationwide (and also international), Seicomart can only be found in the northernmost part of Japan, making a truly unique shopping experience for Japanese convenience store enthusiasts!
Seicomart Japan convenience stores are easy to spot – they are on most corners and streets in Hokkaido (especially in Sapporo) and have fluorescent orange and white branding.
Best of all, Seicomart stocks a range of incredible Hokkaido dairy products plus many of the larger Seicomarts have a special bakery and hot counter section called ‘Hot Chef’.
You might like – 15 Facts about Lawson Japan Convenience Stores >
History of Seicomart Japan stores
The chain of Seicomart stores in Hokkaido, Japan began in 1971 with their first store opening in the city of Sapporo, and it is now the most popular convenience store chain in Hokkaido.
The Seicomart Japan stores are owned by Seicoma with their Headquarters in Sapporo.
Focused on producing products that promote the very best of Hokkaido natural ingredients like milk and melons, Secoma produces many own brand products that retail through Seicomart.
The first product under the local Secoma brand was ice cream launched in 1995 – the Secoma / Seicomart product range has expanded since then to include alcohol, fresh milk and soft drinks.
It is also reputedly the first convenience store to open in Japan (Seicomart started in Sapporo in the early 1970s, before 7-Eleven opened their first store in Tokyo in 1974).
The growth of Seicomart has been phenomenal in Hokkaido over the last 50 years so much so that it is bigger than 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart on its home turf.
Seicomart is officially Japan’s best loved convenience store chain
According to the annual Japanese Customer Satisfaction run by the Japan Productivity Center, Seicomart in 2022 was officially the most liked convenience store brand (well in Hokkaido at least), with the highest satisfaction score.
In case of interest, 7-Eleven was the second most liked convenience store brand in Japan in 2022 (followed by Ministop).
You might like – Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour >
How Many Seicomart Stores are there?
There are around 1,200 Seicomart stores in Hokkaido Japan as of 2023.
The stores vary greatly in size, from tiny shop corner marts to huge super Seicomarts complete with inhouse hot food and bakery counters called ‘Hot Chef’ – more on this later.
You might like – Guide to Daily Yamazaki, Japan’s best convenience store bakery chain >
Products and Services
Similar to 7-Eleven, Family Mart and Lawsons, Seicomart sells a wide range of fresh foods, confectionery, cosmetics and other household items.
Popular goods to buy in Seicomart Japan include Japanese snacks and meals including bento boxes, instant noodles, onigiri and oden (a hot food counter where various foods are boiled and steamed like fish cakes and boiled eggs).
Seicomart also has their own range of alcoholic drinks like Strong Sour Grapefruit highball (9%) and even a special White Milk Sour (3%) using Hokkaido low fat milk.
Fishy products include Secoma Dried Scallop Strings made from fresh scallops caught off the Hokkaido coast and dried octopus leg (and no, it doesn’t come in a pack of 8 before you ask).
Sake-toba (salmon jerky) is also one the more unique gifts or foods to try from Hokkaido at Seicomart.
You might like – Experience traditional Japanese cuisine: soba-making experience in Sapporo >
Seicomart Hokkaido Unique Products
Many of the Seicomart food and snacks use local Hokkaido ingredients, the key point of differentiation for Seicomart, when compared to the likes of 7-Eleven Japan.
Popular Hokkaido food stuffs and items unique to Seicomart include:
- Secoma Hokkaido Milk Soft Serve
- Secoma Hokkaido Melon Ice Cream
- Secoma Hokkaido Milk & Coffee
- Secoma Dorayaki made from Hokkaido wheat
- Secoma Horseradish Ramen / Hokkaido Horseradish and Soy Sauce snacks
You can also sup Guarana, a popular drink enjoyed by Hokkaido’s younger groups that apparently tastes like cola.
You might like – Guide to food and drink at FamilyMart Japan >
‘Hot Chef’ Counters
Seicomart is perhaps best known for their ‘Hot Chef’ counter – here at Hot Chef, you’ll find all manner of hot meals to take away and freshly cooked snacks.
We regularly bought hot goods from the Hot Chef counter at the Seicomart near Nakajima Park in Sapporo (great if you are staying at the Premier Hotel Nakajima Park Sapporo). We visited Sapporo during the winter months so the hot food was greatly appreciated.
You could buy hot wedges, fried chicken, hot yakisoba noodles*, meat cutlets and various hot sandwiches – our favourite dish at Hot Chef was the katsudon (pork cutlet with rice and fried egg).
Such good value too and great if you are on a tight budget when travelling in Japan – this (and the incredible local dairy selection) is why we loved going to Seicomarts!
Alas not all of the Seicomarts have ‘Hot Chefs’ but do try to seek them out next time you are in Sapporo or hot footing it to Hokkaido.
*Including Yakisoba Pan – which is literally yakisoba noodles in a hot dog style bun!
You might like – Things to do in Nagoya, Japan >
Other Services
Seicomart isn’t just about Hot Chef or other food and drink – here you can do lots of activities like top up phone credit, buy concert tickets, use the ATM, pay your bills or even buy fuel or firelighters.
Given the cold winter months in Hokkaido, Seicomart is a blessing for many local residents, selling a wide variety of winter fuels and items to keep you warm.
You might like – Things to do in Sapporo, Japan >
Seicomart Opening Hours
Some (but not all) Seicomarts are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – the 24/7 Seicomart stores are generally in highly populated big city areas like Sapporo.
The smaller / regional Seicomart stores generally open around 6am and close at 12am.
You might like – Guide to the best Japanese Kit Kat flavours and where to buy them >
Convenience Stores are ‘Big in Japan’
Convenience stores are called Konbinis in Japan or sometimes referred to as “Conbini” or “Combini” – they are very popular in Japan and many are open 24 / 7. There are far more convenience stores than larger hypermarkets.
There are over 55,000 convenience stores (konbini) in Japan as of 2023 – so they are indeed pretty much on every street corner.
You might like – Things to do in Uji, Kyoto >
The Biggest Convenience Stores In Japan – where does Seicomart rank?
Seicomart is one of the top 10 biggest convenience store chains in Japan with around 1,200 stores in the Hokkaido area.
It is also the most loved convenience store brand in Japan based on the latest customer surveys run by the Japan Productivity Center. Kudos indeed!
Seicomart is however the biggest convenience store chain in Hokkaido, with more stores than the usual ‘Big Three’ – 7-Eleven Japan, Family Mart Japan and Lawson’s Japan.
There are said to be 22,000 7-Eleven stores in Japan, 16,000 Family Mart stores in Japan and 15,000 Lawson stores.
Other Japanese convenience stores include Daily Yamakasi (with around 1,400 stores as of 2023), New Days, Circle K and MiniStop.
Seicomart – your next joyful Japanese shopping experience
Next time you stop by Sapporo or have an ache in Asahikawa for some kombini action, make sure you try a Hot Chef special from Seicomart, followed by a Hokkaido milkshake or melon ice-cream – you will not regret it. Sayonara Seicomart!
Did you enjoy our Seicomart Japan Convenience Stores in Hokkaido blog post? Let us know in the comments or by sharing it on social media.
You can follow us on:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
You might also like
7-Eleven Stores in Japan – food and drinks you can buy
Don Quijote – Japan’s famous discount store
Cult of Lawson’s Fried Kara-age Kun Chicken Nuggets in Japan
Fun Facts about Lawson Japan Convenience Stores
Super Potato – Retro Game Store in Japan
Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, Ghibli Park Review
Gachapons in Japan – the Coolest Gachapon Capsule Toys