Japanese konbini has a lot to offer! Use it in your daily life

Hello, this is Katayama from JAC (Japan Association for Construction Human Resources).

In the streets of Japan, you will see a lot of konbini (konbini ence stores).

konbini not only allows you to buy food and daily necessities, but also has stores where you can put down money in the bank and buy vegetables and fruits.

In this article, we will explain in detail about konbini in Japan!

Let's learn together about the useful use of konbini and the typical types and characteristics of konbini.

What is the representative konbini in Japan?

There are many konbini (konbini ence stores) in Japan.

Among them, the three major konbini companies have the most users.

Although the services they offer are similar, each of the three companies has different characteristics.

7-Eleven

◎Abbreviation:セブン（せぶん）
◎ Private brand:セブンプレミアム（せぶんぷれみあむ）

Seven-Eleven is konbini with the largest number of stores in Japan.

The high quality of private label sweets and refrigerated foods is particularly appreciated.

In addition, Seven-Eleven's coffee has a strong commitment to beans and is reputed to be drunk every day without getting tired of it.
Some people say, "I buy coffee at Seven-Eleven every day and then go to work."

FamilyMart

◎Abbreviation:ファミマ（ふぁみま）
◎ Private brand:ファミマル（ふぁみまる）

FamilyMart is the second largest konbini in Japan.
The fried chicken "Fami-Chiki" fried in the store is famous.

FamilyMart has a wide variety of services that allow you to shop at great prices.
There is a dedicated app for FamilyMart, where you can accumulate points that can be used for shopping and use coupons.

Lawson

◎ Private brand:3つ星ローソン（みつぼしろーそん）

Lawson is the third largest konbini in Japan.

Lawson has a history of being originally a milk store and is focusing on the development of sweets.
There are many sweets on sale that match trends and seasons, and it is a particularly popular konbini for sweets lovers.

Some stores specialize in specific themes, such as stores that carry many health-conscious products, while others focus on 100 yen products.

In addition, there are other konbini in Japan that have the following characteristics.

[Ministop]
All stores have a dining area where you can eat the products you purchase on the spot.
The soft serve ice cream and parfaits made in-house are popular.

[Seiko Mart]
konbini has stores mainly in Hokkaido.
Bento boxes and side dishes made in the store's kitchen are popular.

[New Days]
They have many stores inside JR East stations.
A special feature of this station is that you can purchase bento boxes and railway goods.

There are many other konbini in Japan.
Each konbini has its own characteristics, so visit a lot and find your favorite konbini.

What you can do with konbini in Japan

The three major Japanese konbini companies introduced earlier are basically open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Here are some useful examples of services available on many konbini.

Financial and payment services

konbini offers financial and payment services.

ATM usage

ATMs are located in most konbini.

In addition to withdrawing money from Japanese banks, you can also withdraw Japanese yen with cards issued overseas such as VISA and MasterCard.

The fee for using an ATM depends on the time of day.

Paying utility bills

You can pay your electricity, gas, water, taxes, mobile phone bills, and more.
To make a payment, you will need a payment slip with a special barcode.

Utility bills can generally only be paid in cash.

Charging electronic money

You can charge cash to transportation IC cards such as "Suica" and "PASMO" and electronic money.

Printing, ticketing and delivery services

You can use the following services using a copy machine or dedicated machine.

Use of multi-function copiers

The multi-function copier installed in the konbini allows you to:

• Printing and scanning
• Sending and receiving faxes
• Photo printing, etc.

With a dedicated app, you can also print data from your smartphone or computer from a multifunction copier via the Internet.

You can also use Individual Number Cards ("My Number Card") to obtain a certificate of residence.
The resident certificate is used when renting a house or for procedures at the government office when moving.

Purchase event tickets

konbini may have multimedia terminals installed near ATMs and multifunction copiers.
Multimedia terminals allow you to buy and issue tickets for concerts, movies, sports, museums, and more.

Accepting parcel deliveries and receiving packages

From konbini, you can send a courier.
You can also specify konbini to pick up packages for online shopping.

There are also konbini with posts inside and outside the store.

Purchasing stamps, postcards, and revenue stamps

You can buy stamps, postcards, and revenue stamps.
A revenue stamp is a certificate required for administrative procedures.

You can buy it at the post office, but the post office has limited hours.
Major konbini are often open 24 hours a day, which is very convenient for those who cannot go to buy during post office hours.

toilet

It is available free of charge at most stores.
Please ask the store clerk before use.

However, small konbini in urban areas or konbini in buildings and facilities may not have toilets.

Dining space

More and more stores have food and drink spaces where you can eat food purchased in the store.

If you buy food in konbini and eat it in the food and drink space, the sales tax rate will change.
Therefore, tell the clerk that you will be using the food and drink space at the checkout.

Japanese konbini also has a wide range of products like this!

konbini in Japan (konbini Ens Store) sells a lot of attractive products.
Here are some products that you should definitely check out on konbini in Japan.

Hot snacks

Hot snacks such as fried chicken, steamed meat buns, frankfurters, fried chicken, and croquettes are sold next to the cash register.
Some stores also sell donuts and baked sweet potatoes.

Oden, which is only available in winter, is also popular.

Cup ramen

The first cup noodles were released in Japan in 1971.

There are many types of cup noodles sold in konbini in Japan.
There are many types of flavors such as soy sauce, miso, salt, and tonkotsu.
New products will also be released one after another, such as products developed in collaboration with popular ramen shops and seasonal products.

Cup noodles are easy to eat by simply adding hot water, making them a popular choice for late-night snacks or when you're short on time.
Many konbini have water heaters in the store, so you can fill the cup noodles you buy with hot water on the spot.

The price is also cheap, so be sure to try a variety of cup noodles and find your favorite cup.

bento

konbini in Japan sell a lot of bento boxes.
There are various types of bento boxes, such as healthy bento boxes that focus on the type of vegetables and calories, and large bento boxes that emphasize quantity.

In addition to bento boxes, salads, pasta, curry, udon, and soba noodles are sold.

There are so many types that some people buy meals for konbini every day.

Freshly made drinks

At the big konbini, you can buy not only drinks in plastic bottles, but also freshly made coffee and smoothies.

Freshly made drinks are often purchased at the cash register and then put in by yourself using a machine.
There is a special machine near the cash register, so I use it.
If you don't know how to use it, ask the store clerk and they will tell you.

Alcohol and tobacco

Most konbini sell alcohol and cigarettes.

You can buy alcohol and cigarettes in Japan from the age of 20.
When purchasing, age verification is done at the cash register.

If the store clerk asks you to show your ID, please show your passport, residence card, or other evidence of your age.

Souvenirs and miscellaneous goods

Some konbini allow you to buy local souvenirs and more.
In particular, souvenirs are often sold in konbini, such as hot spring resorts that are frequented by tourists.

In addition, for a limited time, official collaboration products from popular anime may be sold.

Cosmetics and daily necessities

You can also buy skincare goods and makeup products at konbini.
Some cosmetic brands are only available on konbini.

And basic daily necessities such as shampoo, toothbrush, detergent, batteries, umbrellas, and sanitary products are available at most konbini.

clothing

Underwear and socks are sold to help you respond to sudden accommodations and emergencies.

In recent years, there are also konbini that deal with authentic clothing such as T-shirts and hoodies.
If you get wet or dirty in the rain and need a change of clothes, go to a nearby konbini.

stationery

Ballpoint pens, notebooks, envelopes, and other basic stationery needed for work and study are also available at konbini.
There are also stores where you can buy daily necessities and stationery from famous Japanese manufacturers.

Japanese stationery is highly regarded for its functionality, quality, and design, and is very popular among people outside of Japan.
Japanese stationery can be purchased at konbini, so be sure to try it out.

Summary: There's a lot you can do with Japanese konbini! Have fun with konbini

konbini in Japan (konbini Ensstore) is a convenient store that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The three major konbini companies in Japan are "Seven-Eleven", "FamilyMart", and "Lawson".
There are many other konbini in different regions.
Each has different features, so be sure to shop at a variety of konbini.

konbini allows you to withdraw money, send luggage, eat, and much more.
Some products can only be purchased at konbini, so be sure to check them out!

konbini is an essential part of life in Japan.
Know what you can do with konbini and enjoy living in Japan conveniently.

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