I'm an American who visited a convenience store in Japan. It was miles better than any I've been to in the US.
Christina Liao
- I frequently travel to Japan, and its major convenience-store chain Lawson always impresses me.
- Convenience stores in Japan offer delicious yet affordable food and Lawson is known for its sweets.
I travel to Japan at least once a year and am always surprised by just how incredible convenience stores — or konbini, as they're ubiquitously called in Japanese — are in the country.
One of the three major chains that can be found there is Lawson (the other two being 7-Eleven and Family Mart).
Lawson actually has roots in the United States. In 1939, J.J. Lawson opened a dairy store in Ohio that would eventually grow into a chain. Although there are just two locations in the US, plenty can be found in Japan.
Here's a closer look at what it's like shopping at a Lawson in Japan.
Food and drinks are the cornerstone of convenience stores in Japan.
At Japanese convenience stores like Lawson, there's often a wide selection of food that's relatively high quality and affordable.
The offerings are so delicious that you'll often find locals purchasing their lunch at Lawson or popping in for a quick snack.
The drink selection is extensive, too, going beyond your usual beverages, but more on that in a bit.
Onigiri is one of my favorite food items to pick up at a convenience store.
When I'm looking for an inexpensive but filling snack, I typically go for an onigiri. It's a rice ball that's often wrapped in seaweed and is stuffed with ingredients like salmon, tuna mayonnaise, and umeboshi (salted Japanese plum).
They typically cost about $1, so they're easy on the wallet. If I'm staying at a hotel where breakfast isn't included, I'll often get one or two the night before so that I have something to munch on the following morning.
Most onigiri sold at Lawson are wrapped so that the seaweed is kept separate from the rice, so even if I buy it the night before, the seaweed is still crispy the next day.
However, the rice-to-filling ratio with these onigiri admittedly lean far more to the former. When I want a little less rice, I'll opt for a temaki (hand roll) instead.
Sandwiches are another must-try item.
If I'm looking for something a little more substantial, I'll reach for a sando. These sandwiches use a crustless white bread that's unbelievably fluffy and delicious.
There are several varieties to choose from, including ham and cheese, pork cutlet, or, the most popular, egg.
Lawson's egg sando has an irresistibly creamy egg and mayo mixture with chunks of egg whites. There's also another version only sold in the variety packs that includes a jammy yolk.
Other fresh foods include bento boxes, salads, and noodles.
Bento boxes range from tonkatsu to beef sukiyaki and various noodles, including cold soba and Western kinds of pasta like spaghetti.
These items are refrigerated, and the cashier will ask if you'd like your food heated up in the microwave once you pay.
There are also usually a few salad options to choose from as well.
There's also a bakery section.
Lawson also has a section for sweet and savory baked goods kept at room temperature.
You'll find popular goodies like melon pan alongside sausage buns and some interesting offerings like croquette or yaki soba sandwiches.
And hot food by the cash register.
If you haven't heard it a million times already, don't leave Japan without trying fried chicken at a convenience store.
Family Mart's Famichiki is usually known as the best out of the "big three" chains, but Lawson's Kara-age Kun chicken nuggets are also worth trying.
Other hot foods include fried curry bread, croquettes, and steamed buns. In the winter you'll also find oden, a combination of boiled egg, fish cakes, daikon, and konjac cooked in a light dashi broth, that'll warm you from the inside out.
Lawson is also known for its sweets, especially the Hokkaido cream roll.
Each of the convenience store chains have a "specialty," so to speak, and one of Lawson's is its sweets, particularly the Hokkaido milk cream cake roll.
Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost main island and is often recognized for its rich, creamy milk. Lawson's signature dessert is more cream than cake, highlighting the lauded ingredient.
There are also plenty of ice-cream options.
Whether you're here in the summer when it's unbearably hot and humid or just want a cold treat, you'll find a freezer stocked with ice cream at Lawson.
Coolish, a "drinkable" ice cream in a pouch, is particularly beloved by locals.
But don't make the mistake of walking and eating at the same time.
In Japanese culture, walking while eating is frowned upon.
If you want to consume your purchases immediately, some Lawsons will have an area where you can eat before leaving the store.
There are hot and cold sections for tea and coffee.
As expected, you'll find the usual array of water, soda, and juices in the beverage aisle.
But what might be unexpected are the hot and cold sections for tea and coffee, an example of Japanese ingenuity.
Fresh coffee is also an option.
If the canned and bottled options aren't your thing, Lawson also has Machi Café for freshly brewed coffee.
The café also serves matcha lattes, hot chocolate, and soup.
There's no shortage of alcoholic beverages.
It's not uncommon to see locals drinking outside a konbini or on the train. And if you're looking for a tipple yourself, there are numerous options to choose from.
This particular Lawson was located in Kyoto, and I loved seeing a local craft beer on the shelf. There are also several ready-to-drink beverages like lemon sours, highballs, and even a canned Jack and Coke.
There's even a selection of full-size bottles of liquor, sake, and wine. And usually, just around the corner, you'll find a variety of drinks and supplements that are meant to help with hangovers.
You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to instant noodles.
Whether it's ramen, udon, or even yaki soba, Lawson has got you covered. There are also other instant items available such as soup, curry, and rice.
If you're hoping to eat these right away in the store, there's usually a hot water dispenser on one of the counters.
We also can't forget about the range of sweet and savory snacks.
From chocolate to chips, the snack aisles are always brimming with temptation.
Although these snacks may seem foreign to some Americans, as someone with Chinese roots, I love seeing packets of grilled squid and even seasoned quail eggs at Lawson. The former is considered a drinking snack for most Asian cultures, and the latter is a great topping for instant noodles.
Lawson also has its own line of nutritional packaged foods.
There are Natural Lawson stores that primarily sell health-focused products, but most regular Lawson stores also carry Natural Lawson products.
These packaged foods and snacks are meant to have more nutritional value and include vegan and vegetarian options. Natural Lawson items have a maroon logo with a sun in one corner and a wheat strand in the other.
But Lawson has more than just food.
Lawson is a convenience store, after all, so it's meant to offer anything and everything you could need.
Caught in an unexpected downpour? Umbrellas and ponchos are by the door. Lost your earbuds? Grab a pair in the store. Need a change of clothes? Socks, pantyhose, undergarments, and even a button-down shirt can sometimes be found at a Lawson.
Many locations also have a copy machine and ATMs. Pro tip: I've found that Lawson ATMs usually offer a near-exact exchange rate.
You can even find beauty products and household essentials at Lawson.
Lawson also sells sunscreen, skin care, makeup, and hygiene products. Those who might not have time to stop by a proper store can also find essentials like laundry detergent and pet food.
But one thing I consistently grab from this section is cooling wipes. With a quick swipe, these sheets leave me feeling instantly refreshed, a must for hot and sweaty days. I also stock up on them to use back home or for future travels to sunny destinations.
Lawson also recently began partnering with Muji.
Lawson sells Muji products in its stores, too. The Muji brand is favored for its minimalistic aesthetic and is particularly beloved for its stationery and home goods.
At Lawson, you'll find all that in addition to the brand's toiletries, snacks, and clothing.
Ultimately, I highly suggest visiting Lawson when you're in Japan.
Convenience stores in Japan really do live up to all of the hype and it's easy to see why.
Although I usually only pop into one for food and drinks, I love their convenience. Whether you're a forgetful traveler or a busy local, you can find almost anything you need at a konbini.
Whenever you're in Japan, take some time out of your busy schedule to spend some time perusing the shelves of Lawson.
At the very least, you'll get some good food at a low price, but you might just find your new favorite moisturizer or even an unexpected product — like the cooling wipes, in my case — that'll improve your daily life.
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