Must-try food and drink items from convenience stores – and great picks to bring back for friends?

Must-Try Food and Snacks from Japanese Convenience Stores

Conclusion

You must try Pocky, Famichiki, and onigiri. Even on a short trip, it’s worth visiting convenience stores daily. For souvenirs, Pai no Mi and Premium Roll Cake are great picks.

General Information

Japanese convenience stores (like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson) are incredibly popular among tourists. Open 24/7, they offer high-quality food, drinks, daily items, and even souvenirs. The food is especially well-made and trusted by locals for everyday meals.

Best Options Based on Your Goals

• Want to try local Japanese snacks?
  　→ Try Fami-chiki (fried chicken from FamilyMart), onigiri (rice balls), and sandwiches.
• Love sweets?
  　→ Go for Pai no Mi, Pocky, and Lawson’s Premium Roll Cake.
• Looking for souvenirs?
  　→ Grab Pocky (especially regional versions), Pai no Mi, or limited-edition seasonal snacks with cute packaging.

Best Choices by Time of Day

• Breakfast → Onigiri, seasonal fruit sandwiches, yogurt drinks
• Lunch → Pasta, sandwiches, or a Famichiki + bread combo
• Late-night snacks → Oden (in winter), cup noodles, or onigiri
• Last-minute souvenirs before flying home → Individually packed sweets or chocolates with nice packaging

Budget Comparison (approx.)

• Snacks & sweets: ¥100–¥200 ($0.70–$1.50)
• Hot snacks (Famichiki, etc.): ¥180–¥250 ($1.20–$1.70)
• Onigiri: ¥120–¥180 ($0.80–$1.20)
• Sweets (Roll cake, etc.): ¥200–¥400 ($1.50–$3.00)

Best Items by Season

• Spring: Sakura-flavored sweets and drinks
• Summer: Cold jellies, frozen drinks, and refreshing flavors like pickled plum
• Autumn: Sweet potato, chestnut, and pumpkin flavored items
• Winter: Oden, steamed buns, and rich chocolate snacks

Hidden Tips & Disadvantages

• Some packaging may not have English labels → Use Google Lens to translate when unsure.
• Many items are limited-time or region-exclusive → If you see something you like, grab it immediately—it might not be there tomorrow!

Extra Travel Tips

• Frozen meals are great too → If your hotel has a microwave, try frozen dumplings or fried rice.
• Hot snacks at the counter sell out quickly → Go earlier in the day to catch them fresh.
• Regional exclusives → Stores in places like Hokkaido or Kansai may stock local specialty flavors.