Japanese Convenience Stores 7-Eleven and Family Mart Are a Godsend

You always hear how great Japanese convenience stores, known as konbini, can be, but it doesn’t prepare you for realizing exactly how great a 7-Eleven, Family Mart, or even Lawson’s can be when you get to Japan. After spending a few days in Osaka, I’m shocked at how quickly I came to rely on these staples. So much so that I now find I miss popping in to one every day now that I’m back in the states. 

During my time in Osaka, I was exceptionally fortunate. Why? If I turned immediately to the right after leaving my hotel, a 7-Eleven was right in front of me. Take a few steps more? I’m in front of a Lawson’s. Keep going until I reached the start of Shinsaibashi-suji? There’s a Family Mart. I was consistently blessed with ridiculously affordable places to go for food and items, or perhaps use as a rest stop.

7-Eleven became my main BFF, of course. It all started after landing and checking in. I discovered my pair of shoes had somewhat betrayed me. A quick walk to the Japanese convenience store, and the konbini blessed me with bandages, a nail clipper I wish I could have brought home, and what was probably the tastiest egg salad sandwich I’d ever eaten. I stopped by the next day for a green tea to take with me on my walk to work. The day after that? I popped in after a day exploring various Parcos and places in Shinsaibashi-suji and Dotonburi for a feast consisting of a tuna salad sandwich, various kinds of onigiri, cheesecake, cream puffs, candy, soda, and a fantastic orange juice that also included Mandarin orange. Not to mention, I picked up a few eShop currency cards before I left to ensure I’d be ready for the holiday sales. 

But even though I considered 7-Eleven the best, Lawson’s and Family Mart also took care of my needs. The Lawson’s karaage was as good as I’d been told, though they weren’t my favorite of all the convenience store meals. I came to admire the Family Mart for how much effort went into making the back of the store comfortable, with two that I popped in having little dining areas in the back near what was most shockingly clean convenience store bathroom I’d ever seen. And while I do think the Japanese 7-Eleven was the best in terms of organization, currency exchanging convenience, and selection, all three options were so well stocked and easy to use.

Getting access to the Japanese convenience stores also made for one of my best general airport shopping experiences, as the KIX Family Mart konbinis felt more comprehensive and accommodating than any similar airport stores I’ve experienced in the states. When I saw the giant Kit Kat and Pocky display outside of one while wandering around the airport ahead of my flight, it didn’t even initially register that it was a Family Mart. I figured it was a typical tourist trap stop. But nope! Good food. Still good prices, even though they could have been marked up since there were no alternatives. Fun selections of snacks and items like Pikmin hairclips and bath bombs. 

It’s weird to say so, but visiting Japanese convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Family Mart became a highlight of my day when in Japan, as the konbini seemed to constantly provide what I needed, when I needed it. The prices were unimaginably cheap compared to what I’d expect back in Illinois. Not to mention the quality was so far beyond anything I expected. Word is that we’re supposed to start getting similar quality options outside Japan, and after experiencing it firsthand I can only hope this is true. Because we are seriously missing out.