Konbini (Convenience Store)
"Konbini (convenience stores)—7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart—are Japan's culinary secret weapon, offering shockingly high-quality food 24/7. Famous items: egg salad sandwiches (fluffy white bread, creamy filling), onigiri (rice balls with salmon, tuna mayo, or pickled plum), fried chicken (Famichiki at FamilyMart), oden (hot pot items in broth), and fresh coffee. It's cheap (¥100-500), reliable, and open all night."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Convenient, reliable
Duration
5 minutes
Best For
Quick meals
The Backstory
Japan's first 7-Eleven opened in 1974 and revolutionized convenience retail. By the 1980s-90s, konbini became essential urban infrastructure—ATMs, bill payment, printing, food, all in one. The food quality escalated in the 2000s with daily deliveries and refrigeration tech. Now konbini are visited 60+ million times daily across Japan.
Local Secret
"Heat items at the register—staff will ask 'atatamemasu ka?' (shall I warm it?). Top picks: egg salad sandwich (tamago sando), tuna mayo onigiri, Famichiki fried chicken, oden in winter, and konbini coffee (¥100-200). Look for seasonal items. Use the hot water dispenser for instant ramen. Lawson has the best desserts (Uchi Cafe brand). It's judgment-free eating at 3am."