Japanese for Convenience Stores — Shopping, Bill Pay & More | Nihongo to Japan
A Japanese convenience store (konbini) isn't just for shopping — you can pay bills, withdraw cash, send parcels, print, and even grab freshly made hot food. Japan's konbini go a step further in food quality and range of services, and you'll use one almost every day while traveling.
Basic checkout
- 〇〇円です (〇〇えんです) — That's ¥〇〇 (staff stating the total)
- Suicaで払えますか？ (すいかではらえますか) — Can I pay with Suica?
- カードで払えますか？ (かーどではらえますか) — Can I pay by card?
- 袋はいりません (ふくろはいりません) — I don't need a bag
- ポイントカードはお持ちですか？ (ぽいんとかーどはおもちですか) — Do you have a point card? (staff asking)
Hot food & eating in
- 温めますか？ (あたためますか) — Shall I heat it up? (staff asking)
- はい、お願いします (はい、おねがいします) — Yes, please
- いいえ、大丈夫です (いいえ、だいじょうぶです) — No, that's okay
- お箸はいりますか？ (おはしはいりますか) — Do you need chopsticks? (staff asking)
- こちらでお召し上がりですか？ (こちらでおめしあがりですか) — Are you eating here? (staff asking)
Other services
- ATMはどこですか？ (えーてぃーえむはどこですか) — Where is the ATM?
- コピー機の使い方を教えてもらえますか？ (こぴーきのつかいかたをおしえてもらえますか) — Could you show me how to use the copier?
- 宅配便の窓口はありますか？ (たくはいびんのまどぐちはありますか) — Is there a parcel-delivery counter?
- スプーンをもらえますか？ (すぷーんをもらえますか) — Could I have a spoon?
- トイレを借りてもいいですか？ (といれをかりてもいいですか) — May I use the restroom?
Travel tips
- 7-Eleven Japan's ATMs accept foreign Visa/Mastercard, and so do FamilyMart's — a great option for withdrawing cash on the go
- Konbini onigiri (rice balls), bento and hot snacks are far better than you'd expect — great as a real meal
- For copying or printing (like a booking confirmation), use the store's multi-function machine; the interface usually has an English option
FAQ
Can I use a credit card at a Japanese convenience store?
Most 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson stores accept major cards like Visa and Mastercard, plus IC cards like Suica and ICOCA. A few small stores may be cash-only, so keep some cash handy.
How are Japanese convenience stores different?
Japanese konbini have outstanding hot food (steamed buns, fried chicken), in-house desserts and seasonal items. They also offer more services — paying taxes, concert ticketing (Loppi at Lawson, multi-copy machines elsewhere) and parcel delivery (Yamato "Takkyubin" at 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, Japan Post "Yu-Pack" at Lawson) — making them a key hub during your trip.