In most countries, a convenience store is a place to buy overpriced chips and questionable hot dogs at 2 AM. In Japan, the Konbini (コンビニ) is the very fabric of society. You can pay your taxes, buy concert tickets, send luggage to the airport, eat Michelin-quality egg sandwiches, and print your resume—all in one brightly lit store.
The Big Three
Japan's convenience store market is dominated by three giants, each with their own cult following and specialty items. 7-Eleven (Best overall food quality), FamilyMart (Best fried chicken - Famichiki), and Lawson (Best desserts - UchiCafé).
The Konbini Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
When you get to the register, the cashier will fire off a series of rapid questions in polite Japanese. Here is exactly what they are saying and how you should respond.
| Cashier Asks... | Meaning | Your Response |
|---|---|---|
| ポイントカードはお持ちですか？Pointo kaado wa o-mochi desu ka? | Do you have a point card? | ないです 'Nai desu' (No) or show your phone/card. |
| 袋はご利用ですか？Fukuro wa go-riyou desu ka? | Would you like a plastic bag? (Bags cost a few yen) | はい、お願いします 'Hai, onegaishimasu' (Yes) or いりません 'Irimasen' (No). |
| お弁当温めますか？Obentou atatamemasu ka? | Should I heat up your bento box? | はい 'Hai' (Yes) or 大丈夫です 'Daijoubu desu' (No, it's fine). |
| お箸／スプーンお付けしますか？O-hashi/Supuun o-tsuke shimasu ka? | Shall I include chopsticks/spoon? | はい 'Hai' (Yes) or いりません 'Irimasen' (No). |
Must-Try Konbini Food
Hot Food Counter
The glass case next to the register contains deep-fried heaven. Just point and say これ、一つください "Kore, hitotsu kudasai" (One of this, please).
- Famichiki: Boneless fried chicken from FamilyMart. Legendary.
- Karaage-kun: Chicken nuggets from Lawson, comes in cute packaging with flavors like Red (Spicy) or Cheese.
- Nikuman: Steamed pork buns (available mainly in winter).
Iced Coffee Machine
Konbini iced coffee is incredibly cheap (usually well under 200 yen) and delicious. Here is how to buy it:
- Go to the freezer section.
- Grab a plastic cup filled with ice cubes (marked R for Regular or L for Large).
- Pay at the register.
- Take the cup to the coffee machine by the door, peel off the lid, place it in, and press the corresponding R or L iced coffee button.
Hidden Services
- ATM: 7-Eleven ATMs are the most reliable place in Japan for tourists to withdraw cash using a foreign debit/credit card.
- Multipurpose Copier: You can print PDF files from a USB drive or your phone and print out photos. Event tickets are sold through the store's ticket terminal (Loppi at Lawson) or FamilyMart's multi-copy machine.
- Restrooms: Most Konbinis let you use their exceptionally clean restrooms for free (though it's polite to buy a drink or snack afterward). Just ask: トイレ、貸してもらえますか？ "Toire kashite moraemasu ka?" (May I borrow the toilet?)
🛍️ Order with Confidence
Don't panic when the cashier talks to you! LenGaki's free speaking practice has Shopping, Food and Travel topics with 25 everyday sentences each, like saying you don't need a bag or asking whether you can pay by card. Hear each sentence, say it back and get a pronunciation score.
