The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Convenience Stores (Konbini)
From buying Famichiki to understanding what the cashier is asking you. A complete survival guide to Japan's 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pointo kaado wa o-mochi desu ka? | Do you have a point card? | 'Nai desu' (No) or show your phone/card. |
| Fukuro wa go-riyou desu ka? | Would you like a plastic bag? (Bags cost 3 yen) | 'Hai, onegaishimasu' (Yes) or 'Irimasen' (No). |
| Obentou atatamemasu ka? | Should I heat up your bento box? | 'Hai' (Yes) or 'Daijoubu desu' (No, it's fine). |
| O-hashi/Supuun o-tsuke shimasu ka? | Shall I include chopsticks/spoon? | 'Hai' (Yes) or 'Irimasen' (No). |
Must-Try Konbini Food
Hot Food Counter
The glass case next to the register contains deep-fried heaven. Just point and say "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 (110 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, buy tickets to Ghibli Museum or Disneyland, and print out photos from your phone.
- 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: "Toire kashite moraemasu ka?" (May I borrow the toilet?)
🛍️ Order with Confidence
Don't panic when the cashier talks to you! LenGaki's Survival Travel module includes interactive speaking exercises simulating Konbini, Restaurant, and Train Station encounters.
Master Hiragana with LenGaki
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