Japan's convenience stores (konbini) are a genuine part of the travel experience — open long hours, everywhere, and stocked with good, affordable food.
What to try
- Onigiri: rice balls with fillings like salmon, tuna mayo, pickled plum (umeboshi) or kelp. Follow the numbered tabs to unwrap without tearing the seaweed.
- Egg sandwiches (tamago sando): soft white bread with creamy egg salad.
- Fried chicken from the hot counter — each chain has its own signature.
- Oden: simmered fish cakes, daikon and egg in broth, mostly in colder months.
- Bento and noodles: staff will offer to heat them ("atatamemasu ka?").
- Desserts: puddings, cream puffs and seasonal sweets.
- Drinks: unsweetened green tea, coffee, and seasonal limited flavours.
Services beyond food
- ATMs that accept foreign cards (especially 7-Eleven).
- IC card top-ups at the register.
- Printing and copying, ticket pickup, and parcel shipping (including luggage forwarding at many stores).
- Toilets in many branches — ask politely.
Etiquette
Place items and your payment in the tray at the register. Most stores ask if you need a bag (bags usually cost a few yen). Eat outside or in the store's eat-in area, not while walking.