A convenience store that is quite indispensable nowadays. There are plenty of convenient services such as ATMs, mail orders, and a convenience store that offers essential products located in almost every alley is indeed a lifesaver for some people especially those living far-off the city.
Now in this article, I would like to introduce the top 10 most popular Convenience Stores to visit in Japan along with some customer reviews to give you a hint of what each store can offer you! Scroll down to this post and check out these remarkable convenience stores.
Top 10 Convenience Stores Popularity Ranking and Customer Reviews in Japan
Orebo
Orebo is a convenience store operated by Otsuya Co., Ltd. in Fukui Prefecture. They have various stores such as “Orebo Station”, “Orange Box”, “Orebo Kitchen & “This is delicious Otsuya” which continue to be loved by the local people. It features in-store cooking where you can eat freshly made squirrels, abundant side dishes, and an eat-in space where you can easily eat and drink.
Customer Reviews…
“You can choose a freshly made bento in a buffet style, and it’s delicious, so I often use it. In addition to the buffet, there are plenty of bento boxes and you can eat and drink inside the store, which is convenient. It is very popular because it is cheap. Please drop in at us.” – Source: http://www.homemate-research-convenience-store.com/dtl/00000000000000259937/
“Revo is proud of its lunch box. You can put your favorite side dish, so the secret of popularity is that you can choose your favorite side dish according to your mood. The side dishes are also handmade and very delicious.” – Source: http://www.homemate-research-convenience-store.com/dtl/00000000000000259937/
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NewDays
NewDays is a convenience store operated by JR East Group Co., Ltd. “JR East Retail Net”. For this reason, stores are often set up inside stations and are often visited by people who commute to work or school under the catchphrase “Starting from the station, a new town.” The secret of its popularity is the unique service unique to JR, such as giving 2 to 5 times more points when shopping at Suica.
Customer Reviews…
“The cream buns sold at New Days are so delicious that I buy them every day! My favorite point is that the cream puff has sugar on it and is crispy. Recommended for custard and simmering! !!” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/newdays?sort=high#review-pre-area
“The convenience store is located in a speedy train station, so the speed of customer service is fast. It seems like it’s not so fast because it’s fast, but it’s better than being carefully melted, so it doesn’t bother me.” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/newdays?sort=high#review-pre-area
“I like the rice balls here because they are delicious” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/newdays?sort=high#review-pre-area
Lawson Three F
Lawson Three F is a convenience store that is gaining popularity mainly in the Kanto region. There was a time when it was advertised as “a convenience store born in Yokohama”, and also used Ayumi Ishida’s “Blue Light Yokohama” as a commercial. Currently, they are launching a new store brand, Lawson Three F, with Lawson, which has a capital and business alliance. In addition to Lawson’s products, they sell Three F original products such as “Yakitori” and “Chilled sushi”, making it a more powerful convenience store.
Customer Reviews…
“LAWSON Three F. Located at the Kotobukicho intersection. The store has been renovated and is very beautiful. The clerk is very smiling and responsive, and I go there almost every day. I am always grateful for your help.” – Source: http://www.homemate-research-convenience-store.com/dtl/75000000000000064520/kuchikomilist/
Seiko Mart
Seiko Mart is a convenience store mainly in Hokkaido. It is a popular community-based convenience store that offers Hokkaido-produced milk and fresh food, and you can rest assured that you can have Seiko Mart even if there is no supermarket nearby. The “Hot Chef” series, which cooks in the store, can be eaten in the state of freshly made fried chicken such as bento boxes, rice balls, and fried chicken. We are also focusing on wine, which is unusual for convenience stores and features a wide selection of wines, and we have a large selection of wines that are easy to buy.
Customer Reviews…
“The secomart near my house is very kind and the hot chef’s katsudon is delicious! The hot chef’s katsudon depends on the location, whether it’s delicious or not. However, to put it a little stricter, there aren’t many unique products that are intriguing, and there are only a limited number of delicious ones (bread, etc.). Ice cream is delicious! Therefore, when you come to Secoma, we recommend buying a bento box such as a hot chef. (It may feel different from what I said because of my personal opinion.) Please do try it!” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/seicomart?sort=high#review-pre-area
“For the first time today, I received the saury kabayaki, which Seiko Mart is proud of. Since it is called Kabayaki, I felt that if you attach “sansho” or “shichimi pepper”, it will be even more delicious for Mr. Ojisan. Thanking you in advance.” Source: https://minhyo.jp/seicomart?sort=high#review-pre-area
Poplar
Poplar is a convenience store that is expanding its stores mainly in the San’in region, and although the number is by no means large as a convenience store, it is gaining deep-rooted popularity due to its unique style. The lunch box has separate side dishes and rice, and the warm and heartfelt service that is close to people’s lives is attractive, such as being able to use a rice cooker.
Customer Reviews…
“The freshly cooked scent is irresistible! !! After all, other bento boxes with rice! Even if the lunch box shop is closed at midnight, I’m happy that I can eat proper “rice”!” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/poplar?sort=low#review-pre-area
“I was impressed with the warm rice.” – Source: http://www.nandemo-best10.com/f_conveni/z14.html
“I often see them in the city center these days, but for the time being, I thought the bento was excellent. The inside of the store was also clean and there were many beautiful places.” – Source: http://www.nandemo-best10.com/f_conveni/z14.html
Also Read: Best Japanese Snacks from Supermarket
Daily Yamazaki
As the name Daily Yamazaki suggests, it is a convenience store operated by Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd. Therefore, there are convenience stores that manufacture bread in the store, which is gaining popularity. Not only bread but also lunch boxes, side dishes, sandwiches, etc. are cooked in the store, making it a consumer-friendly convenience store. They are especially focusing on bread, so it is a convenience store where you can eat new products and original delicious bread.
Customer Reviews…
“I go there every day because of the delicious scent. it tastes very good. I’m looking forward to it” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/daily-yamazaki?sort=high#review-pre-area
“Bread and other side dish breads are available and handmade, which is unique and fun. It’s a pity that the number of stores is being pushed elsewhere (near Nagoya).” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/daily-yamazaki?sort=high#review-pre-area
“You can eat it at the store! The bread is freshly baked and delicious, so I often go to buy breakfast. I think the clerk’s attitude is also friendly and kind. It would be nice to have an eat-in space inside the store.” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/daily-yamazaki?sort=high#review-pre-area
Ministop
The feature of Ministop is that it has eat-in space. It is gaining popularity because it is easy to eat at any time and there is a relaxing space. Compared to other convenience stores, there are a wide variety of fast foods and they are attractive. Unique and original products such as soft-serve ice cream, pizza, and hot dogs are the secret to their popularity. It is popular not only in Japan but also overseas, and one of the features of MINISTOP is that there are more stores overseas than Japanese stores.
Customer Reviews…
“The best! After all, Ministop’s soft serve ice cream is delicious! I’m glad that you can eat various parfaits depending on the period!” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/mini-stop?sort=high#review-pre-area
“All the best convenience store fast foods are delicious Soft serve ice cream is more delicious than specialty stores. I’m glad that there are many clerk who are always indebted to the convenience store.” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/mini-stop?sort=high#review-pre-area
“It is very convenient because there is a mailbox in front of the cash register in the store, which has become more prominent recently. Some stores have a space where you can have a light meal, so it’s nice to be able to eat coffee and other products you just bought right away.” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/mini-stop?sort=high#review-pre-area
FamilyMart
FamilyMart is popular with the catchphrase “FamilyMart for you and the duo”. It is the second country after Lawson to start nationwide expansion in Japan, and it is now the world’s FamilyMart. We have built our own brand called “FamilyMart Collection”, and we have a wide variety of daily necessities as well as food products. We have developed unique products such as coffee, tea, and the “I” series targeting men. Among them, “Premium Chicken” has become one of FamilyMart’s signature products and is very popular.
Customer Reviews…
“ There are a lot of good clerk at FamilyMart fans. Recently, the bread and rice balls have become delicious!” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/family-mart?sort=high#review-pre-area
“Speaking of FamilyMart, chicken !!! The best of all is spicy chicken! W Dessert is too great!” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/family-mart?sort=high#review-pre-area
“FamilyMart is the best (* ´ω` *) I use FamilyMart a lot * °! !!I like rice balls ~ ^^ * It’s too delicious to be grilled ~ It’s fun to make a T-POINT card, shop a lot and collect points ^^ * It’s a great deal because there are some products that are cheaper, so I will continue to use FamilyMart I will let you ^^ *” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/family-mart?sort=high#review-pre-area
Lawson
Lawson is characterized by a milk mark on a white and blue sign. Born in the United States, it was originally a milk store. Therefore, an illustration of milk is drawn on the Lawson sign.
Lawson is the first convenience store in Japan to expand nationwide, and is also focusing on private brands, and has been focusing on fried foods for a long time. In particular, “Karaage-kun” has been a product that has been loved for many years, and now there are more variations in its taste, so consumers will not get bored.
Customer Reviews…
“It’s great to eat a rice burger. I always stop by to go back and forth between karaoke and buy it. I take it in the morning and eat it instead of a lunch box. It’s great because it can be eaten by the elderly, the atmosphere of the restaurant is great, the shrimp fried rice is delicious, and my grandchildren are happy to eat it.” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/lawson?sort=order_point&page=11
“Lawson in my neighborhood has good customer service and a wide range of products. Above all, the desserts are delicious, and I like Lawson the most at convenience stores. I drop in at other convenience stores, but I often leave the store without buying anything because I don’t have the products I want or want to eat, so I go to Lawson after all. The rice balls are delicious and I love Lawson ^^” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/lawson?sort=order_point&page=11
“It is the favorite degree NO1. The points are convenient, and I’m glad that there are plenty of sweets. Besides, the toilets are definitely cleaned, so it’s very popular.” Source: https://minhyo.jp/lawson?sort=order_point&page=11
7-Eleven
7-Eleven, whose motto is “close and convenient,” is by far the best Japanese convenience store on our list. They are also focusing on their own products such as “Seven Premium,” which has a wide range of products, and chilled lunch boxes that enable both freshness and extension of the expiration date are also attractive. We also meet the needs of our daily lives with our unique services such as “Seven Meal,” which provides balanced meals. Not only in Japan, but it has also become the “Seven-Eleven in the world”.
Customer Reviews…
“The sales floor is clean, easy to see, easy to buy, delicious food, and the staff are agile and polite. I use it every day.” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/7-eleven
“The clerk’s attitude is good, polite, agile, the food is delicious, and I use it every day. You can see that Seven is the best compared to other convenience stores.” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/7-eleven
“Bread, sandwiches, bento boxes, side dishes, pasta, soba noodles, udon noodles, desserts, etc. are very delicious at the specialty store level. The level of frozen food is also high. It is a stone’s throw. The clerk’s attitude is also good, and he is agile and has a decent greeting. It’s the best. I use it every day.” – Source: https://minhyo.jp/7-eleven
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