Konbini

When visiting Japan, one of the most noticeable and unique aspects of daily life is the presence of konbini - ubiquitous convenience stores found on nearly every corner. But they’re much more than just places to grab a quick snack or drink. Konbini are an essential part of everyday life, offering an impressive range of products and services that go far beyond what you'd expect.

What is a Konbini?

The term “konbini” (コンビニ) comes from the English word “convenience”. Open 24/7, 365 days a year, konbini are a lifeline for anyone needing anything from a cup of coffee to a last-minute birthday gift. With fast service, helpful staff, and self-checkout systems, the shopping experience is smooth and hassle-free. Some of the major chains you’ll encounter in Japan include:

• 7-Eleven (セブン-イレブン)
• Lawson (ローソン)
• FamilyMart (ファミリーマート)
• Mini Stop (ミニストップ)

Each of these stores has its own distinctive offerings, but they all share the same core purpose: providing convenience in every sense of the word.

What Can You Find at a Japanese Konbini?

Konbini stores are often a wonderland of variety. Here’s a look at the key categories of products and services you’ll find.

Ready-to-Eat Meals

Konbini are renowned for their ready-to-eat meals, and they’ve perfected the art of convenience food. There are also seasonal items available only at certain times of the year - like Japanese oden, which you can enjoy only during the colder months. Whether you're in the mood for something light or hearty, you'll find a wide array of options:

• Onigiri (Rice Balls): These triangular or cylindrical rice snacks are stuffed with a variety of fillings like tuna, salmon, pickled plum, or even teriyaki chicken. They're an easy and satisfying meal on the go.
• Bento Boxes: A full meal in a box, often containing rice, meat (like karaage fried chicken or beef), pickles, and sometimes vegetables. These are popular for lunch and dinner.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: Expect fresh sandwiches, ranging from traditional egg salad to more unique options like teriyaki chicken or shrimp tempura. Submarine-style sandwiches are also available. It's also worth trying the famous Japanese konbini sweet sandwiches - filled with fresh cream and fruit, they’re both delicious and beautifully presented.
• Instant Noodles: A must-have for anyone looking for a quick meal, konbini stock a variety of instant ramen and soba noodles.
• Salads and Side Dishes: Fresh salads, as well as dishes like potato salad and coleslaw, are available for those looking for something light.

Drinks

No konbini visit is complete without checking out the wide drink selection. You’ll find hot drinks and ice-cold beverages available year-round. What makes it especially interesting and enjoyable is hunting for limited-edition or seasonal flavours available for a short time only.

• Soft Drinks and Juices: You'll find familiar sodas and bottled juices, as well as a variety of local options, including sweet yogurt drinks and boldly flavored sodas. Some combinations may sound unusual, but konbini beverages offer a fun 'flavor adventure' that's worth trying.
• Coffee: Grab a hot or iced coffee to-go, with options ranging from Konbini coffee (sold in cans) to freshly brewed cups from machines inside the store.
• Tea: Japan is known for its rich tea tradition. In konbini, you'll find a wide range of bottled teas - from common mugi-cha to rich, concentrated matcha. Whether you're looking for something refreshingly cold or perfectly hot on a chilly day, you'll find just the right one for the moment.
• Alcohol: Konbini are one of the easiest places to grab an alcoholic beverage. You'll find beer, sake, shochu, and even ready-to-drink cocktails. Keep in mind that in Japan, individuals under 20 - whether residents or tourists - are strictly prohibited from consuming or purchasing alcohol.

Snacks and Sweets

Japan is home to some of the most unique snacks and sweets. At konbini, you can try many of them. One of their special features is the wide variety of limited-edition snacks and sweets, often with seasonal flavours or themed around special events.

• Chips, Nuts, and Popcorn: Local flavours like wasabi, soy sauce, and seaweed are common, offering a fun twist on your typical snack.
• Japanese Sweets (Wagashi): From mochi (rice cakes) to dorayaki (sweet red bean pancake sandwiches), konbini offer a wide variety of traditional Japanese sweets.
• Chocolate and Candy: You’ll find plenty of familiar chocolate bars, along with uniquely Japanese options like Kit-Kat in flavours such as matcha, sake, and sweet potato.

Everyday Essentials

Konbini also offer a wide range of everyday items - from hygiene products and cleaning supplies to groceries and cooking ingredients.

• Toiletries: Need toothpaste, soap, or tissues? Konbini have it all, from basic hygiene products to travel-sized toiletries.
• Medicine and Supplements: You can find over-the-counter medicine for minor aches, colds, or digestive issues.
• Stationery and Office Supplies: If you need a pen, notebook, or some quick office supplies, the konbini has you covered.

How to Order Food in Konbini

Agemono (揚げ物) refers to a variety of Japanese deep-fried foods, commonly found in konbini and bento shops. At konbini, agemono is usually kept warm behind the counter near the cashier. Unlike pre-packaged meals, it’s often freshly fried and handed to you upon order - making it a tasty and satisfying snack on the go. Common types of agemono include:

• Karaage: Fried chicken pieces, typically served in a crispy batter.
• Korokke: Japanese croquettes made with mashed potatoes or ground meat, then breaded and fried.
• Amerikan Doggu: It’s a hot dog on a stick, coated in a slightly sweet pancake-like batter, then deep-fried until golden.
• Chicken katsu: Breaded and fried chicken cutlet.
• Menchikatsu: Ground meat (usually beef and pork) formed into patties, breaded and fried.

Ordering:

Just point to the item you want in the heated display case and name it if you know the name. Otherwise, simply point and say "kore o kudasai" (これをください), which means "this one, please". the other useful phrases: 

• "Karaage o kudasai" (からあげをください) - "Karaage, please"
• "Korokke o kudasai" (コロッケをください) - "Croquette, please"
• "Hitotsu kudasai" (ひとつください) - "One, please"
• "Futatsu kudasai" (ふたつください) - "Two, please"

Services at Konbini

Konbini in Japan are not just for food and drinks - they also offer a range of services:

• Utility Bill Payments: You can pay your electricity, water, gas, and even mobile phone bills at konbini stores.
• ATM: Many konbini have ATMs that accept international cards, making it easy for travelers to withdraw cash.
• Courier Services: Need to send a parcel? Many konbini offer courier services through Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) or Japan Post. You can also pick up packages that have been delivered to the store.
• Ticketing: Konbini often sell tickets for concerts, events, and even transportation. For example, you can buy tickets for the Shinkansen or other forms of public transportation at the counter or at kiosks inside the store.
• Photocopying and Printing: Need to make copies of your documents or print out travel confirmations? Many konbini are equipped with self-service photocopy machines and printing services.
• Faxes and Mail Services: If you need to send a fax, some konbini offer fax services, along with traditional postage for sending letters and packages.

How to Buy a Ticket

Most konbini in Japan are equipped with ticket machines or multi-function kiosks (like Loppi for Lawson, FamiPort for FamilyMart, or 7-Eleven’s Ticket Machine). These kiosks allow you to buy tickets for various services, including: train tickets (local, Shinkansen, or other railway lines), event tickets (concerts, sports events, theatre shows), movie tickets (cinema tickets), theme park tickets (like Disneyland or Universal Studios Japan), transportation passes (JR Passes, regional transport passes). 

1) Approach the Machine: The kiosk machine will have an interface in Japanese, but most offer an English language option. Look for the language option on the screen.

2) Select Your Ticket Type: The options will be divided into categories, such as Train Tickets, Concert/Event Tickets, Movie Tickets, and more. Select the category that applies to your purchase. 

• For train tickets: You will choose your departure station, arrival station, and travel date.
• For event tickets: You can search for the event by name or location and pick the available dates and seats.

3) Enter Your Ticket Details: 

• For Train Tickets: You’ll be asked to select the stations you are traveling from and to, as well as the type of ticket (reserved seat, unreserved seat, etc.). Some kiosks allow you to select your travel date and time.
• For Event or Movie Tickets: Choose your date, time, and number of tickets. For some events, you might also choose the seat from a seating chart.

4) Payment: Once you've entered the necessary details, the machine will display the total price for your tickets. Paying for your ticket is done at the counter or at the machine itself.

• At the Machine: The kiosk will typically have a payment section where you can pay using cash or credit cards. Some kiosks even accept electronic money like Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA.
• At the Counter: If you choose to pay at the counter, the machine will print a payment slip, and you will need to bring it to the cashier. The cashier will finalise the payment and give you your tickets.

5) After payment is completed, your tickets will either be:

• Printed at the Machine: For most types of tickets, the kiosk will print them out immediately. Just pick them up from the machine once your payment is processed.
• Issued at the Counter: For certain services, the tickets will be handed to you by the cashier. This is often the case for Shinkansen tickets, concert tickets, or theme park tickets.

Sending Mail or Packages from a Konbini

Japanese convenience stores partner with major postal services like Japan Post and private carriers (e.g., Yamato Transport or Sagawa Express) to offer mailing services. Follow these steps to send your post.

1) Prepare Your Mail or Package:

• Addressing the envelope/package with the correct recipient’s details.
• Weighing the package to determine postage costs (this can be done at the konbini counter if needed). Packing securely, especially for fragile items. If you're mailing a package, it’s a good idea to use a box or padded envelope.

2) Go to the Konbini Counter, and ask for the mailing service:

• 郵便を出したいです - "Yūbin o dashitai desu" - "I would like to send a letter/package".
• For a package: 荷物を送りたいです - "Nimotsu o okuritai desu" - "I want to send a package".

3) Choose the Type of Service. At the counter, the staff will ask you for your preferred mailing service. You may have options such as:

• Regular mail (Standard): Basic post, suitable for letters and small items.
• Express mail (EMS): Fast international shipping for urgent deliveries.
• Yu-Pack: Domestic parcel service, available at some konbini.
• Kuro-Neko Yamato: Yamato Transport’s parcel service.

For international shipping, you’ll typically need to use EMS (Express Mail Service), which is Japan's fastest international postal service.

4) Pay for Postage. Once the staff confirms the service, they will calculate the postage cost based on the size, weight, and type of service. You can pay at the counter using: cash, credit/debit card, electronic payments (like Suica or Pasmo, depending on the store).

The staff will then attach the postage label to your package or letter, and it will be ready to be sent.

Receiving Post or Packages at a Konbini

Receiving parcels at a konbini is a convenient service provided by many convenience stores in Japan, especially if you're not home when a delivery arrives.

1)  Wait for Delivery Notification. If you’ve ordered a package or a letter, the delivery service (e.g., Japan Post, Yamato, or Sagawa) will attempt delivery. If no one is home, they will leave a delivery notice with details on how to collect your package. The notice will typically state that your package can be picked up at a nearby konbini.

2) Go to the Konbini

• Present the Delivery Notice. Hand the notice to the staff and tell them you are there to pick up your package: 荷物を受け取りたいです - "Nimotsu o uketoritai desu" - "I would like to receive my package".

3)  For Identification Check you can use:

• Passport (most common for foreigners)
• Japanese driver’s license
• Residence card (if applicable)

Once your identity is verified, the staff will retrieve your package. The process is usually quick and efficient.

Tips for Sending or Receiving Post at a Konbini

• Use Convenience Store Delivery Options: If you don’t want your package delivered to your home, many online stores allow you to have it sent directly to a konbini for in-store pickup. This can be especially useful if you're staying in a hotel or Airbnb.
• Check Service Availability: Not all konbini offer the same mail services. Some might not provide international shipping or parcel receiving. Look for signs indicating the presence of Yamato, Japan Post, or Sagawa services at the store.
• Parcel Storage: If you are receiving a parcel, be sure to pick it up within the specified period. After a certain amount of time (usually a few days), the parcel may be returned to the sender.
• Keep the Delivery Notice: If you’re picking up a package, always bring the delivery notice and an ID with you. The notice contains all the necessary information for the konbini to locate your package.