Japan Convenience Store Shopping Best 10: Complete Guide (7-Eleven vs FamilyMart vs Lawson Comparison)
🏪 Japan's 3 Major Convenience Stores
7-Eleven vs FamilyMart vs Lawson
Complete Comparison Guide!
From signature items to hidden gems,
BEST 10 Must-Buy List
Perfect shopping guide
for your Japan trip!
🏪 Japan’s Top 3 Convenience Stores:
7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson
Japan's convenience stores (konbini, コンビニ)
are a traveler's paradise!
The "Big 3" convenience store chains are:
7-Eleven (セブンイレブン),
FamilyMart (ファミリーマート), and
Lawson (ローソン).
Each store has its own
unique signature products and strengths!
📊 Quick Comparison:
7-Eleven vs FamilyMart vs Lawson
| Store | Signature Items | Special Features |
|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven (セブンイレブン) | • Egg Sandwich (タマゴサンド) • Gold Label Coffee • Premium Rice Balls • Smoked Eggs | ✅ Highest quality prepared foods ✅ Premium dessert line ✅ Best coffee in convenience stores ✅ Exclusive cup ramen collaborations |
| FamilyMart (ファミリーマート) | • Famichiki (fried chicken) • Line Character Socks • Frappe & Smoothies • Premium Sweets | ✅ Best fried chicken (Famichiki 🥇) ✅ Trendy character collaborations ✅ Wide variety of fashion items ✅ Competitive dessert selection |
| Lawson (ローソン) | • Premium Roll Cake (Uchi Cafe) • Basque Cheesecake • Character Collaborations • Health-Conscious Food | ✅ Premium dessert specialists 🥇 ✅ Natural Lawson (organic line) ✅ Relaxuma & Pokémon goods ✅ Healthier food options |
🏆 BEST 10 Must-Buy Items
(Comparison & Recommendations)
Here are the top 10 items you absolutely
cannot miss when visiting
Japanese convenience stores!
Each item is ranked by store,
so you know exactly where to buy.
1. 🥪 Egg Sandwich (タマゴサンド)
🥇 Winner: 7-Eleven
The legendary egg sandwich
that made convenience store sandwiches famous!
7-Eleven's version is the gold standard:
Fluffy egg salad on pillowy soft white bread,
with perfectly balanced seasoning.
- 🥇 7-Eleven: Creamy egg salad with mayo, perfectly seasoned (¥180-220)
- 🥈 FamilyMart: Slightly sweeter, generous portion (¥180-200)
- 🥉 Lawson: Good quality, standard taste (¥180-200)
💡 Pro Tip: Best eaten fresh! The bread stays softest within 1-2 hours of purchase. Perfect for breakfast or a quick snack.
2. 🍰 Premium Desserts
(Roll Cake & Pudding)
🥇 Winner: Lawson (Uchi Cafe Series)
Lawson's "Uchi Cafe" premium dessert line
is legendary among Japanese convenience stores!
The Premium Roll Cake (プレミアムロールケーキ)
is their signature product—
incredibly soft sponge cake
with rich, smooth cream filling.
- 🥇 Lawson Uchi Cafe: Premium roll cake (¥150), Basque cheesecake, pudding
- 🥈 7-Eleven: Gold Label series, seasonal limited desserts
- 🥉 FamilyMart: Family Mart Collection, character collaboration sweets
3. 🍗 Famichiki (Fried Chicken)
🥇 Winner: FamilyMart
"Famichiki (ファミチキ)" is
FamilyMart's iconic fried chicken—
so famous it has its own name!
Crispy, juicy, and perfectly seasoned,
this is Japan's favorite convenience store
fried chicken.
- 🥇 FamilyMart - Famichiki: Crispy batter, juicy inside, perfectly spiced (¥198-238)
- 🥈 Lawson - L Chiki: Similar quality, slightly different seasoning (¥198-220)
- 🥉 7-Eleven - Nanachiki: Good but less iconic (¥198-220)
💡 Must-Try Flavors: Famichiki comes in seasonal flavors like spicy, garlic, and cheese. Ask at the counter (ホットスナックコーナー)!
4. 🥤 Smoothies & Frappe
🥈 Winners: 7-Eleven & FamilyMart
Frozen drinks are a summer essential
at Japanese convenience stores!
7-Eleven's "Frozen Drink" series and
FamilyMart's "Frappe"
are both excellent choices.
- 🥇 7-Eleven Frozen Series: Wide variety of flavors, great texture (¥198-298)
- 🥇 FamilyMart Frappe: Coffee-based frappe, dessert drinks (¥198-298)
- 🥉 Lawson: Limited frozen drink selection
5. 🍜 Restaurant Collaboration
Cup Ramen
🥇 Winner: 7-Eleven
7-Eleven's exclusive cup ramen
features collaborations with famous restaurants
like Ippudo, Ichiran, and Michelin-starred shops!
These aren't your average instant noodles—
they recreate authentic restaurant flavors.
- Popular Collaborations:
- • Ippudo Tonkotsu Ramen (一風堂)
- • Ichiran Ramen (一蘭)
- • Menya Musashi (麺屋武蔵)
- • Regional ramen specialties
- Price: ¥250-398
💡 How to Prepare: Ask staff for hot water at the counter ("お湯をください - Oyu wo kudasai"). Most stores have hot water dispensers!
6. 🥚 Smoked Eggs (燻製卵)
🥇 Winner: 7-Eleven
A hidden gem that surprises
every first-time visitor!
Smoked eggs (燻製卵 - kunsei tamago)
are perfectly seasoned, smoky hard-boiled eggs
that make an excellent snack or side dish.
- 🥇 7-Eleven: Best flavor and texture (¥120-150 for 1-2 eggs)
- 🥈 FamilyMart: Similar quality, slightly different seasoning
- 🥉 Lawson: Available but less popular
7. 🍺 Limited Edition Beer & Highball
🥉 All 3 Stores (Seasonal)
Japanese convenience stores regularly stock
exclusive limited-edition drinks
including craft beers, seasonal highballs,
and unique flavored chuhai (酎ハイ).
- Popular Limited Editions:
- • Strong Zero (ストロングゼロ) - Various flavors
- • Craft beer collaborations
- • Seasonal fruit highballs
- • Premium sake selections
- Price: ¥150-500
⚠️ Important: Legal drinking age in Japan is 20. Alcohol sales may stop after 11 PM in some areas. You must confirm your age at the touchscreen when purchasing.
8. 🧦 Line Character Socks
🥇 Winner: FamilyMart
FamilyMart's exclusive
Line Friends character socks
are perfect souvenirs!
Featuring Brown, Cony, Sally,
and other beloved characters.
- 🥇 FamilyMart: Exclusive Line Friends designs (¥300-500)
- Features:
- • High quality material
- • Cute character designs
- • Affordable price
- • Perfect as gifts/souvenirs
9. 🍧 Shirokuma Ice Cream (白くま)
🥉 All 3 Stores
A Japanese summer classic!
"Shirokuma" (White Bear) ice cream
is a shaved ice dessert topped with
condensed milk, fruits, and sweet beans.
- Available at all 3 stores:
- • Original flavor with fruits and beans
- • Matcha version
- • Strawberry version
- • Cup size: Small ¥150-180, Large ¥250-300
10. 🍙 Tuna Mayo Onigiri
(ツナマヨおにぎり)
🥇 Winner: 7-Eleven
The most popular onigiri (rice ball) flavor
in all of Japan!
Tuna mayo onigiri is the perfect combination of
savory tuna mixed with Japanese mayo,
wrapped in crispy seaweed.
- 🥇 7-Eleven: Premium tuna, perfect seasoning (¥130-160)
- 🥈 FamilyMart: Generous tuna filling (¥130-150)
- 🥉 Lawson: Standard quality, good value (¥120-150)
- Other Popular Flavors:
- • Salmon (鮭 - Shake)
- • Umeboshi (plum - 梅干し)
- • Konbu (kelp - 昆布)
💡 How to Open: Pull the strip labeled "1" to split the wrapper, then pull "2" and "3" to remove. This keeps the seaweed separate until you're ready to eat!
🍢 Winter Special:
Oden Season (9月~3月)
During fall and winter
(September through March),
all convenience stores sell
fresh hot oden (おでん)!
Oden is a Japanese hot pot dish
with various ingredients simmered
in a light dashi broth.
- Popular Oden Ingredients:
- • Daikon radish (大根 - Daikon) - ¥100
- • Egg (卵 - Tamago) - ¥80-100
- • Fish cake (はんぺん - Hanpen) - ¥100
- • Konjac (こんにゃく - Konnyaku) - ¥80
- • Beef tendon (牛すじ - Gyusuji) - ¥150
- • Fried tofu (厚揚げ - Atsuage) - ¥100
💡 How to Order: Point to the oden ingredients you want at the counter. Staff will pack them in a container with hot broth. Perfect for cold winter days!
📍 Essential Convenience Store
Travel Tips
1. 🔥 “Would You Like It Heated?”
(あたためますか？- Atatamemasu ka?)
When you buy bento boxes or prepared foods,
staff will ask if you want it heated:
"Atatamemasu ka?"
✅ Say "Hai" (はい) for YES (heated)
❌ Say "Daijoubu desu" (大丈夫です) for NO
2. 💳 ATM Cash Withdrawal
(Zero Fees!)
Japanese convenience store ATMs
accept international cards!
SEVEN Bank (7-Eleven) and
AEON Bank (FamilyMart)
have zero withdrawal fees.
English menu available on all ATMs!
- 🏧 SEVEN Bank (7-Eleven):
- • Zero withdrawal fees
- • 24/7 availability
- • English, Korean, Chinese available
- • Accepts Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, JCB
- 🏧 AEON Bank (FamilyMart):
- • Zero withdrawal fees
- • Same card acceptance as SEVEN Bank
3. 🕒 After 9 PM Discounts!
Many convenience stores discount
bento boxes and prepared foods
after 9 PM!
Look for discount stickers
showing 20-50% off.
4. 💊 Medicine Available
(Digestive Aids)
Japanese convenience stores sell
basic over-the-counter medicine!
Popular digestive aids:
• Cabejin (キャベジン) - For upset stomach
• Panciron (パンシロン) - For indigestion
- Available OTC Medicine:
- • Digestive aids (stomach medicine)
- • Pain relievers (headache, fever)
- • Cold medicine
- • Eye drops
- • Band-aids and basic first aid
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🏪 Final Thoughts
Japanese convenience stores are
much more than just "convenient"—
they're a cultural experience!
Each of the Big 3
(7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson)
offers unique signature products
worth trying during your Japan trip.
From premium desserts to hot oden,
from egg sandwiches to limited-edition drinks—
happy konbini shopping! 🎌