5 reasons why Japan convenience stores are so great

When you go to Japan, you can find convenience stores almost everywhere. These convenience stores are known as konbini. The strong competition between 3 major convenience store players (7-Eleven, Lawson and Family Mart) in Japan have created innovative products and services which makes Japanese convenience stores very convenient and reasonable price. These convenience stores opens 24 hours a day.

1. Premium unique flavour ice cream
When comes to ice-cream and confectionary, Japan have many amazing and unique flavours.

Haagen Dazs premium ice cream with variety of flavours which can't be found in other countries.


For example special flavour of Japonais. Thick strawberry sauce with chocolate chips ice-cream.




Special edition Opera ice-cream only available in Dec 2014. Thick chocolate and coffee flavour. The best ice-cream tasted.


New chocolate brownie ice-cream.

2. Ready pre-packed food and onigiri are easily available
Prepacked food and onigiri are preferred by Japanese as the society always on the go and they can just quickly pick anything that they want to eat and take it on the train.


Many kinds of onigiri are available at each convenience store. There are options for those who are health conscious they can even choose to have brown rice onigiri.

Even ready made pasta are available.

3. Variety of drink options
Kagome fruits and vegetable drinks. Good option if you can't find fruit to eat and fruits in Japan are basically expensive. Besides that, Japanese are highly competitive and they work long hours. Energy drink is a big industry in Japan.


Easy fruit drink options.


Many kinds of energy drinks. Some also claimed as health drink which improve liver functions.

Star Bucks coffee.

Pre-packed fruits.

4. Hot meals
The convenience stores provides hot water for those who purchased instant noodles. Selection of hot buns also known as nikumen with pork or beans also available. If you crave for yakitori, oden, fried chicken or fried items, they also have it.

Cup noodles.

Nikumen (steamed buns)

Fried and BBQ items. Yakitori, fried chicken and some tempura also available.

Oden - Japanese dish consisting of several ingredients such as boiled eggs, daikon, konjac, and fish cakes stewed in a light, soy-flavoured dashi broth.

5. Adult and lifestyle magazines
Japan only ban child pornography but not adult pornography. Thats why adult magazines are allowed to be sold openly in convenience stores.

Adult magazines were sell openly in convenience stores.

Lifestyle magazines and manga.