Japanese convenience stores (コンビニ / konbini) are not like US convenience stores. They are genuinely good, they are everywhere, and they will become a daily part of the trip.
The big three: 7-Eleven (セブン-イレブン), Lawson (ローソン), FamilyMart (ファミリーマート). All operate identically for most purposes.
What You Can Do There
Money
- ATM (7-Eleven only - 7bank ATM) - Best ATM in Japan for foreign cards. English interface, accepts Visa/Mastercard/Maestro, available 24/7. See Cash Strategy.
- IC card top-up - Load your Suica/ICOCA at the register or at the ATM machine
- Pay cash for almost anything - Bills, tickets, reservations, online orders can all be paid at the konbini register
Luggage
- Takkyubin (luggage forwarding) - Drop bags at FamilyMart or 7-Eleven to be delivered to your next hotel or the airport. The single most useful Japan-specific logistics service. See Takkyubin.
Documents
- Print QR codes and tickets - Every konbini has a multi-function machine. Upload a file or enter a code, print for ¥10–30/page. Useful for printing QR tickets or reservation confirmations.
Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi at all major chains - register once with an email address, auto-connects at all locations of the same chain
Everyday
- Food, drinks, hot foods at the counter, snacks, alcohol, over-the-counter medicine, personal care items
7-Eleven Japan Is a Different Thing
American 7-Eleven and Japanese 7-Eleven share a name and nothing else. The Japanese version is a legitimate daily food stop — not a gas station snack run. It will become part of the trip rhythm whether you plan it or not.
What makes it different:
- Fresh food rotated daily — onigiri, sandwiches, and hot items are made fresh and stocked multiple times per day. Nothing sits.
- Coffee that’s actually good — the in-store grinder makes fresh-ground drip for ¥110–150. Regulars in Japan swear by it over most cafés.
- Seasonal and regional exclusives — Japan’s 7-Eleven runs limited-time items tied to the season (sakura-themed sweets in April) and regional flavors. What’s in Osaka may not be in Tokyo.
- The egg salad sandwich — a legitimate cultural touchstone. Soft white bread, generous filling, better than it has any right to be.
- Hot foods counter — karaage, nikuman (steamed pork buns), corn dogs. Staff will bag them in a separate hot bag without being asked.
- Clean, air-conditioned, everywhere — useful as a rest stop in its own right.
Nearest 7-Eleven to each house:
- Osaka House (Nishinari): Multiple 7-Elevens within a 5–10 min walk in the Kishinosato-Tamade / Taisho area. The Daily Yamazaki at 200m is closer but 7-Eleven has better food — worth the extra walk.
- Tokyo House (Ikebukuro Honcho): Ikebukuro is dense with 7-Elevens — expect one within a 3–5 min walk in any direction. The Sunshine City basement also has convenience store options inside.
Tip: When you find one you like, note the location in Google Maps. The closest one to each house becomes a natural morning stop.
What to Eat
Breakfast (¥400–700 total)
| Item | Japanese | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Onigiri | おにぎり | Triangle rice balls; tuna mayo, salmon, umeboshi, edamame; ¥120–160 each |
| Egg salad sandwich | タマゴサンド | Legitimately excellent; soft white bread, generous filling; ¥220–280 |
| Tamagoyaki sandwich | 玉子サンド | Sweet rolled egg on white bread; ¥220–260 |
| Steamed bun | 肉まん / 中華まん | Hot pork or chicken bun from the counter; ¥150–200 |
| Pastries | - | Croissants, melon bread, anpan (bean paste bun); quality is genuinely good |
| Coffee | コーヒー | 7-Eleven coffee is excellent; fresh-ground, ¥110–150 |
Lunch / Snacks
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Karaage (fried chicken) | Hot from the counter; juicy, not greasy |
| Hot dog / corn dog | Counter item; better than expected |
| Oden | Hot stew items (egg, daikon, fishcake) in broth; seasonal (spring/winter); ¥100–200/item; point and they’ll bag it |
| Instant ramen | Quality brands available; eat in-store with hot water from dispenser |
| Chips and snacks | Japanese snack varieties you can’t get elsewhere |
Drinks
- Coffee vending / self-serve: 7-Eleven’s coffee machine makes fresh-ground coffee for ¥110. Ask staff to point you to it.
- Canned coffee (BOSS, Georgia) - good cold or hot from the machine
- Tea: green tea, barley tea, bottled
- Everything is labeled - use Google Lens to translate if needed
Daily Carry Uses
Before a temple / sight day:
- Grab onigiri + coffee for ¥300–400 - faster than any café and just as good
- Pick up water bottles (¥100–120 each)
- Stock snacks for the bag
Mid-day reset:
- Air conditioning - konbini are always cool; good for a 5-min break
- Refill water, grab a snack, sit briefly if there’s seating
Evening:
- Buy beer and snacks to bring back to the house instead of paying bar prices
- Alcohol is widely available - no ID checks for adults
Payment
All major konbini accept:
- IC card (tap to pay - fastest)
- Credit card (Visa/Mastercard) - contactless works; swipe works
- Cash
- No tax-free - konbini don’t participate in the tourist tax exemption
Spotting Them
7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart are within a few minutes’ walk of virtually everywhere you’ll be in Osaka and Tokyo. If you don’t see one, walk a block.
Near Osaka House: Daily Yamazaki at 200m, MaxValu (not konbini but better grocery) at 100m.