You can see so many “Convenience stores” in Japan. It’ called “Konbini”(“Convenience store” is usually called like, it’s abbreviated) is a small retail grocery shop which sells a variety of everyday items such as Lunch box, Snacks, Confectioneries, Drinks (and alcoholic one as well if the shop is licensed), and Over-the-counter drugs, Toiletries, Books and Magazines, and has ATM. The size of a convivence store in Japan is about 1650 to 2000 SQ feet. While it is really small, but “Convenience stores” sells many kind of things as above. For example in Tokyo, “Convenience stores” is located ground floor of buildings, almost every corner or conjunction, and it opens 24h/7days!! I think you can get almost all necessary items for your daily life when you stay in Japan.
Where is “Konbini”?
As mentioned, if you would go to big cities such as Tokyo or Kyoto, you will see “Konbini” (Convenience Store) anywhere… The number of “Convenience stores” has increased last 20 years rapidly, actually, the number of Convenience Stores caught up with the number of Supermarkets (Mid or large Grocery market). “Convenience stores” already becomes a part of daily life resource for all Japanese.
In US, Seven Elevenis popular, and it is the same in Japan too. Seven Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart, these are top three company’s brand dominating Convenience stores in Japan. Here are their signboard’s picture below. However, the width of both services and products are not different so much amongst them.
I expect you are surprised to see lots of high quality lunch boxes (Bento boxes) and beautiful sweets and breads! More advantage point is that they are relatively reasonable prices. The main price range is,,,, (based on 1USD=140yen)
Lunch box (Bento Box) — From US$ 3 – 5 or so There are so many type of Bento box. Apart from it, a Rice ball is US$ 1 – 1.5.
A rice ball and Nori Bento, It is about US$ 4 -5intotal.
Sandwich — From US$ 2 – 4 or so. Egg, ham, potato salad, tomato,,, you see many variety of “Japanese type” sandwiches!
Egg Sandwich and Pork cutlet SandwichFruit Sandwich
Sweets, dessert — From US$ 1 – 4 or so. You can enjoy eating not only Japanese rational sweets but western dessert in reasonable price!!
Mochi ParfaitCream puffTaiyaki, this is a fish shaped cake with custard cream inside
Variety of service!!!
One of differences of Seven Eleven between Japan and USA is the number of the wide variety of services and products, especially foods. It’s difficult to say everything service, but you can be provided lots of services
ATM service, Payment of utility bill, Delivery (like FEDEX), Concert booking and ticketing, Issuance of certificate of residence (Public service), Copy and FAX (by using Xerox), Mailing post,,,,
Bank ATM
Another tips…
In general, convenience store allows customers to use their bathroom inside.
Some convenience store has Eat in space inside for customers. You can eat what you bought there.
Store clerks are so kind, but they may not listen and speak English very well. Please use Google Translation app, if you want to ask a complicated question.
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