Japan Convenience Store Guide: Food, ATMs, Payments and Everyday Services

Japanese convenience stores — known as conbini (コンビニ) — are far more than places to grab a snack. They are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and serve as ATMs, bill payment counters, printing services, ticket machines, parcel pickup points and emergency supply depots. For anyone visiting or living in Japan, knowing what you can do at a conbini makes daily life noticeably easier.

This guide covers everything available at Japan’s three major chains — 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart — with practical advice for first-time tourists, short-term visitors and long-term residents alike.

Last updated: May 2026  |  Last checked: May 2026  |  Sources: Seven Bank (sevenbank.co.jp), Lawson (lawson.co.jp), FamilyMart (family.co.jp), PASMO, JR East

Quick Answer: What Can You Do at a Japanese Convenience Store?

What you want to do	Available?	Notes
Buy food and drinks	✓ All chains	Onigiri, bento, sandwiches, hot food, coffee, desserts
Withdraw cash (ATM)	✓ All major chains	Seven Bank, Lawson Bank, E-net; foreign Visa/Mastercard supported
Pay with IC card (Suica, PASMO)	✓ All chains	Tap to pay at the register
Pay with credit/debit card	✓ Most locations	Visa, Mastercard, JCB; contactless accepted at many stores
Print / copy / scan	✓ Most locations	Multi-copy machines; PDF, photo, A4/A3 printing
Buy event/museum tickets	✓ Most locations	Via Loppi (Lawson), Famiport (FamilyMart), 7tickets (7-Eleven)
Pay utility bills / taxes	✓ All chains	Scan barcode on payment slip at the register
Send or receive a parcel	✓ Most locations	Yamato Transport, Japan Post; also online shopping pickup
Use the toilet	✓ Most locations	Not guaranteed — varies by location and layout
Top up your IC card	✓ Most locations	Use the multi-function machine or register; cash top-up only at most conbini

The Three Major Convenience Store Chains

Japan has over 55,000 convenience stores. The three main chains you will encounter everywhere are 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart. All three offer the same core services. The differences are mostly minor — food preferences, loyalty programs and the exact ticket terminal model in each store.

Chain	Stores (approx.)	ATM	Ticket terminal	Known for
7-Eleven (Seven-Eleven)	~21,000	Seven Bank ATM	7-Eleven multifunction	Excellent onigiri and sandwiches; strong ATM foreign card support
Lawson	~14,000	Lawson Bank ATM	Loppi terminal	Uchi Cafe desserts; strong dessert range; Loppi for tickets
FamilyMart	~16,000	E-net ATM	Famiport terminal	Famiチキ (fried chicken); strong bento selection; Famiport for tickets

Which chain is best? For practical purposes, choose whichever is closest. All three chains have the same ATM, printing and payment services. If foreign-card ATM reliability is your priority, Seven Bank ATM (7-Eleven) has a particularly consistent track record with overseas Visa and Mastercard.

Convenience Store Food in Japan

Convenience store food in Japan is genuinely good. Chains employ dedicated food teams and release seasonal menus. For budget travelers, a conbini lunch or dinner is both practical and affordable.

What to Buy

• Onigiri (rice balls) — ¥110–¥200. Dozens of fillings: tuna mayo, salmon, plum, konbu. Instructions on the wrapper for opening; a fresh outer nori sheet is standard.
• Bento (boxed meals) — ¥400–¥700. Rice with protein and vegetables. Can be warmed at the register.
• Sandwiches — ¥200–¥400. Egg, tuna, fruit-and-cream (a Japanese favourite).
• Hot food at the counter — fried chicken, steamed pork buns (nikuman), hot dogs, corn dogs. Ask for one by pointing or saying “hitotsu kudasai” (one please).
• Coffee — ¥100–¥200. Fresh-brew machines; press the size button then take the cup to the machine.
• Chilled desserts — puddings, parfaits, cakes. Lawson Uchi Cafe and 7-Eleven desserts have strong reputations.
• Emergency supplies — instant noodles, cup soups, rice porridge. Useful late at night or during travel disruption.
• Toiletries and basics — toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, wet wipes, plasters, socks, mobile charger cables (availability varies).
• Umbrellas — ¥500–¥800. A reliable backup when you get caught in rain.

How to Use the Food Services

• Warming bento: At the register, say “atatamete kudasai” (please warm this up) or “atatame wa irimasu ka?” is the staff’s standard question (do you want it warmed?). Answer “hai” (yes) or “daijoubu desu” (no thank you).
• Chopsticks and cutlery: Staff will ask “ohashi wa irimasu ka?” (do you need chopsticks?). A spoon is “supūn.”
• Eating in-store: Some conbini have a small counter or bar seating by the window. Many do not. Check before assuming you can sit down. Eating while standing outside the store is fine.
• Trash disposal: Each store has bins sorted by type (burnable / plastic / PET bottles / cans). Use the correct bin. Do not deposit your trash in public street bins — use the store’s bins when you buy your food there.

Food Labelling: Vegetarian, Halal, Allergens

Japanese food labelling lists major allergens (eggs, milk, wheat, peanuts, shrimp, crab, soba, tree nuts) but is primarily in Japanese. Vegetarian and halal options are not guaranteed at convenience stores — dashi (fish stock) is used in many rice and noodle dishes, and pork is common. If you have dietary restrictions, read labels carefully or search for the chain’s English allergen list online. Do not rely solely on this guide for allergy-critical decisions.

ATMs at Japanese Convenience Stores

Japan remains a cash-heavy society in many contexts. Knowing which ATM to use with your overseas card is one of the most useful pieces of knowledge before arriving.

ATM	Chain	Foreign cards	Hours	English UI
Seven Bank ATM	7-Eleven	✓ Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay, and more	24 hours at most locations	✓ Multiple languages
Lawson Bank ATM	Lawson	✓ Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay	24 hours at most locations	✓ English available
E-net ATM	FamilyMart	✓ Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay	24 hours at most locations	✓ English available

Fees: Your overseas bank will likely charge a foreign transaction fee (typically 1–3%) and a flat ATM withdrawal fee. The Japanese ATM may also charge a fee, especially at certain times of day. Check with your bank before your trip. Japan Post Bank ATMs (at post offices) also support many foreign cards.

Withdrawal steps (Seven Bank example):

1. Press the screen or any button to start
2. Select “Withdrawal”
3. Insert your card or tap your phone/watch
4. Select “English” if available
5. Enter your PIN
6. Enter the amount in yen
7. Collect your cash and card (the ATM will make an alert sound if you leave the card)

Note: Japan is still largely cash-reliant in rural areas, smaller restaurants, shrines, local markets, and some tourist attractions. Keeping at least ¥5,000–¥10,000 in cash is advisable even if you plan to use IC cards and credit cards as your main payment methods. For more on cashless options, see the cashless payment guide.

Paying at Convenience Stores

Convenience stores in Japan accept a wide range of payment methods. The most practical options for tourists are IC cards and credit cards.

Payment method	Accepted	Notes
Cash (yen)	✓ Always	Always accepted; change given
IC card (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA)	✓ All major chains	Tap the reader at the register; fast and convenient
Credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard)	✓ Most locations	Insert or tap (contactless); some smaller/older stores may be cash-only
QR code payment (PayPay, d払い, etc.)	✓ Most locations	Primarily resident-oriented; requires Japanese-linked account for most services
Apple Pay / Google Pay	✓ Most locations	Works if linked to Visa/Mastercard or Japanese IC card

IC cards are the fastest option at the register. Just hold your card (or phone/watch with IC card) near the reader as the cashier announces the total. No PIN, no signature, no receipt to sign. For how to get an IC card, see the Japan IC card guide.

QR payment services like PayPay, Rakuten Pay and d払い are widely accepted but are designed primarily for Japanese residents with Japanese bank accounts or Japanese SIM-linked accounts. Foreign tourists can sometimes sign up, but the process is not straightforward. This is not a priority for short-term visitors.

Printing, Copying and Scanning

Every major convenience store has a multi-function machine (called a “multi-copy machine” or “kopī-ki”) that can print, copy, scan and send faxes. These are practical for tourists needing to print boarding passes, visa documents, travel insurance forms, accommodation booking confirmations, or any PDF.

What You Can Print

• PDF documents from a USB drive, smartphone (via app) or cloud storage
• Photos (L-size, 2L, postcard; 3R / 4R sizes available at some chains)
• A4 / B4 / A3 documents (colour or black-and-white)
• Documents stored in the chain’s own cloud service (e.g. netprint for 7-Eleven, networkprint for Lawson/FamilyMart)

Network Print Services (Print from Your Phone)

• 7-Eleven: netprint — Upload a file to the netprint app or website; receive a print number; enter it at the machine. Free to register; printing fees apply (from ¥20 per page).
• Lawson / FamilyMart: networkprint — Same approach; upload via app; enter number at the Loppi or Famiport-linked machine.

Typical costs: Black-and-white A4 print ¥20–¥30. Colour A4 print ¥50–¥100. Photo print ¥30–¥50. Prices correct as of May 2026; confirm at the machine.

Resident use cases: Printing city hall forms (“jūminhyō” certificate application forms, tax return documents), visa extension application forms, residence card-related paperwork, employment documents. These are commonly printed at convenience stores by residents who do not own a home printer.

Tickets, Bills and Services at the Terminal

The multi-function terminal (Loppi at Lawson, Famiport at FamilyMart, 7-Eleven’s own system) can handle a range of services beyond printing.

Ticket Purchase

• Concert and event tickets — Major ticketing services (e-plus, Ticket Pia, CN Playguide, Lawson Ticket, FamilyMart Ticket) allow purchase and pickup at the relevant chain’s terminal. Confirmation code is issued at the terminal; pay at the register.
• Theme park tickets — Disneyland, USJ and other parks sell tickets through convenience store terminals. Useful if sold out online or if you prefer cash purchase.
• Museum / tourist attraction tickets — Availability varies by location and attraction.
• Sports event tickets — J-League football, Sumo (depending on tournament), Nippon Professional Baseball.

Note: English-language interface on these terminals is limited. For first-time users, having the booking code and chain name (Lawson Ticket vs FamilyMart Ticket) ready in advance reduces confusion.

Bill and Tax Payment

• Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) — Bring the payment slip with the barcode. Staff scans the barcode at the register; you pay in cash or sometimes by IC card.
• Tax payment slips — National and local tax payment can be made by the same method. Used by residents and self-employed individuals.
• Online shopping payment — Konbini payment (“convenience store payment”) is a standard checkout option in Japanese online shops. You receive a confirmation number and pay in cash at the register or terminal within a deadline.

Sending and Receiving Parcels

Convenience stores are parcel pickup and drop-off points for Japan’s major courier services. This is especially useful for residents who cannot receive packages at home during working hours.

• Yamato Transport (Kuroneko Yamato) — Drop off packages and receive collection slips at the register. Used widely for domestic shipping.
• Japan Post parcel pickup — Lawson acts as a Japan Post pickup point at many locations. Bring your notification slip or barcode.
• Online shopping delivery (Amazon, Rakuten, etc.) — When ordering online in Japan, you can select a convenience store as the delivery address. You receive a notification (app or SMS) when the parcel arrives; collect with your barcode within a deadline (usually 3–7 days).

Tourist use: If you are staying in Japan for more than a week and have a local address, you can use the convenience store delivery system. For short stays or hotel stays, hotel reception is usually more practical for receiving packages. For IC card and eSIM purchases, these are typically picked up at the airport or ordered directly to your accommodation.

Topping Up Your IC Card at a Convenience Store

Most convenience stores have a dedicated IC card top-up reader near the register or at the multi-function machine. The process varies slightly by chain:

• At the register: Hand your IC card to the cashier and tell them the amount (“sen-en charge onegaishimasu” for ¥1,000). Pay in cash.
• At the multi-function machine (7-Eleven / Lawson): Some machines have an IC card top-up function. Select “IC card charge” on the screen, place your card on the reader, enter the amount and insert cash.

Credit card top-up is not available at most conbini top-up terminals — use cash. For credit card or Apple Pay top-up of Welcome Suica Mobile, use the Welcome Suica app directly. See the Japan IC card guide for full mobile top-up options.

Tourist-Specific Use Cases

• Late-night arrival: Conbini are 24/7. After a long flight, you can buy food, withdraw cash, top up your IC card, and pick up toiletries — all in one stop on the way to your hotel.
• Early-morning departure: Buy breakfast (onigiri, egg sandwich, hot coffee) before catching an early train. Skip the hotel breakfast queue.
• Printing travel documents: If your airline, hotel or tour requires printed documents, use the multi-copy machine. Your email attachment or PDF works via the network print app.
• Emergency supplies during travel: Instant noodles, cup soups, rice porridge, basic medicines (pain relief, stomach medicine), umbrellas, phone charger cables — all available in a pinch.
• Buying a day’s worth of food on a budget: Onigiri (¥120) + coffee (¥150) + salad (¥200) comes to under ¥500 — a practical budget breakfast or lunch.

Resident-Specific Use Cases

• Paying utility bills: Take the paper bill to the register and pay the barcode. No need to set up a bank transfer. Takes 30 seconds.
• Printing official documents: Print jūminhyō (residence certificate) request forms, health insurance forms, tax return documents or employment paperwork at the multi-copy machine.
• ATM cash withdrawal: Seven Bank and Lawson Bank ATMs are the standard fallback for residents whose main bank branch is not nearby.
• Parcel pickup: Collect online shopping deliveries without needing to be home. Most online stores in Japan offer convenience store pickup as a free option.
• Quick meals: Bento and onigiri work well for office lunch when you are short on time. Coffee at ¥100–¥150 is cheaper than a café.

Common Mistakes at Japanese Convenience Stores

• Assuming every store has a toilet. Most urban conbini do not have public toilets. Some suburban and highway-adjacent stores do. Do not count on it.
• Expecting to eat inside. Many stores have no seating. If there is a small counter along the window, it’s usually fine to stand there. If there is clearly no designated eating area, buy and eat elsewhere.
• Throwing trash on the street. Use the store’s bins. Japan has very few public trash bins — plan to carry your trash until you find a bin (usually at a conbini or train station).
• Not separating trash. There are separate bins for burnable waste, plastic, PET bottles and cans. Follow the labels.
• Forgetting cash. Card readers are now standard, but some older stores, smaller express formats, or rural locations may still be cash-only. Carry a small amount of yen.
• Checking your ATM fees after withdrawal. Know your bank’s foreign ATM fees before you withdraw. Withdrawing ¥10,000 at once is more efficient than multiple small withdrawals.
• Assuming all food is safe for dietary restrictions. Dashi (fish stock) and pork are common in foods that look vegetarian. Always check the allergen label if you have restrictions.
• Expecting English from staff. Most conbini staff speak minimal English. Have your phone ready to translate or show what you need. Pointing at the menu, item or machine works in most situations.

Useful Japanese Phrases at Convenience Stores

Situation	Japanese phrase	What it means
Bag question from staff	“Fukuro wa irimasu ka?”	“Do you need a bag?” Answer: “Hai” (yes) / “Daijoubu desu” (no thanks)
Warming your food	“Atatame wa irimasu ka?”	“Do you want this warmed up?” — say “Hai, onegaishimasu”
Asking for chopsticks	“Ohashi wa irimasu ka?”	“Do you need chopsticks?” — say “Hai”
Paying by IC card	“Suica de onegaishimasu”	“With Suica please” — or “PASMO de onegaishimasu”
Paying by credit card	“Kurejitto kādo de onegaishimasu”	“By credit card please”
Where is the printer?	“Insatsu-ki wa doko desu ka?”	“Where is the printer/copier?”
Is there an ATM?	“ATM wa arimasu ka?”	“Is there an ATM?”
Top up IC card	“Sen-en charge onegaishimasu”	“Please charge ¥1,000” (change amount as needed)

Convenience Store vs Other Shops in Japan

Type of shop	Hours	Best for	Not ideal for
Convenience store	24/7	Quick food, ATM, printing, bills, top-up, emergency supplies	Fresh produce, larger quantities, specialty items
Supermarket	Typically 9am–10pm	Fresh produce, meat, seafood, larger quantities, lower prices on basics	Printing, bills, late-night shopping, ATM services
Drugstore	Typically 9am–11pm	Medicines, cosmetics, toiletries, some groceries at competitive prices	ATM (rare), printing, bill payment, 24-hour access
100-yen shop (Daiso, Seria)	Typically 10am–8pm	Household items, stationery, travel accessories, small gifts at ¥100	Food, ATM, printing, round-the-clock access

For most day-to-day needs during a Japan trip, a convenience store covers the essentials. Combine with a drugstore (Matsumotokiyoshi, Welcia, Tsuruha) for cosmetics and medicines at better prices, and a supermarket for fresh food if you have kitchen access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Japanese convenience stores open 24 hours?

Most are. The 24/7 model is central to the convenience store concept in Japan. A small number of stores in rural areas or low-traffic locations may have reduced hours. In urban areas and near stations, round-the-clock operation is the standard.

Can tourists use ATMs at Japanese convenience stores?

Yes. Seven Bank ATM (7-Eleven), Lawson Bank ATM and E-net (FamilyMart) all accept overseas Visa, Mastercard, American Express and UnionPay cards. The interface is available in English and other languages. Your home bank will likely charge a foreign transaction fee on top of any ATM fee — check before withdrawing.

Which convenience store has the best ATM for foreign cards?

Seven Bank ATM at 7-Eleven is widely regarded as the most reliable for foreign cards, with consistent multilingual support and broad card network coverage. All three major chains support the main international networks. If one machine declines your card, try another chain’s ATM before concluding your card does not work in Japan.

Can I pay with Suica, PASMO or ICOCA at convenience stores?

Yes — all three IC cards are accepted at 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart, plus most other major convenience store chains. Tap the reader at the register when you hear the total. Payment is instant. This is the fastest checkout option. See the Japan IC card guide for how to get and charge an IC card.

Can I use a credit or debit card at Japanese convenience stores?

Yes. Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express are accepted at most locations of the three major chains. Contactless payment is increasingly available. Some older stores, smaller express formats, or rural locations may still be cash-only — carry some yen as a backup.

Can I print documents at a Japanese convenience store?

Yes. The multi-function machine (multi-copy machine) at 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart can print A4, B4 and A3 documents, as well as photos. You can upload your file via the chain’s app (netprint for 7-Eleven, networkprint for Lawson and FamilyMart), receive a print number, then enter it at the machine. Typical cost: ¥20–¥30 for black-and-white A4, ¥50–¥100 for colour A4.

Do Japanese convenience stores have vegetarian or halal food?

Dedicated vegetarian or halal labelling is uncommon at convenience stores. Many dishes that look meat-free contain fish stock (dashi) — common in rice, noodle soups and some salad dressings. Eggs and dairy are widely present. If you have strict dietary requirements, check the allergen table on each product (in Japanese), use a translation app, or consult the chain’s online allergen information. Do not rely on visual appearance alone for allergy-critical decisions.

Can I eat inside a convenience store in Japan?

Some stores have a small counter area or bar seating near the window or at the back. Many urban stores do not. Look for chairs or counter stools. If there is clearly no designated eating area, take your food outside or to a nearby bench. Most convenience store food is designed to be eaten while standing or on the go.

Can I pay utility bills or taxes at a convenience store?

Yes. Bring the paper bill (electricity, gas, water, local tax, national health insurance, etc.) with its barcode to the register. The cashier scans the barcode; you pay in cash. This service is used frequently by residents. Payment is instant and you receive a receipt. Note: some bills specify a payment deadline — pay before the due date to avoid late fees.

Which is better: 7-Eleven, Lawson or FamilyMart?

For everyday use, all three are excellent and the difference is small. 7-Eleven is often praised for its sandwiches and onigiri range, and Seven Bank ATM has a strong reputation for foreign card reliability. Lawson is known for its dessert range (Uchi Cafe) and Loppi ticket terminal. FamilyMart is noted for its fried chicken (Famiチキ) and bento variety. Practically, use whichever is closest — you will not go wrong at any of them.

Also useful: Japan food guide — ramen, street food, izakaya and dining tips — and the First-time Japan travel guide — everything else you need before your trip. For shopping, see the Japan shopping guide; for saving money, see the Japan budget travel guide.