In one sense, convenience stores or "konbini" (conbini), as they are known in Japan, are the same anywhere you go in the world. They sell inexpensive toiletries, prepared food items, and miscellaneous goods that you might need. But, Japanese konbini do not stop there. They offer a variety of unique services in Japan like bill payment and parcel delivery that really put the "convenience" in convenience store.

To get the most out of shopping at a supermarket in Japan, please read this article. For a list of international supermarkets in Tokyo, please check here. We also have many articles that will help you with daily life in Japan including buying a SIM Card, prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, as well as getting an internet connection, opening a bank account, and more. If you are interested in getting a credit card in Japan, please check "How to Get a Credit Card in Japan: An Expat Guide".

Paying Bills

Konbini accept bill payments for most utility companies in Japan. You should confirm with your specific service provider but generally speaking, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile phone bills can all be paid at a konbini. When you receive a bill in the mail, just take it to your nearest konbini, hand it to the clerk, pay the requested amount, and they will hand you a receipt. It's that simple. The konbini takes care of the rest, notifying the utility company that the bill has been paid. To learn about public utility prices in Japan, please check this article. You can also choose to pay at konbini for goods on e-commerce platforms such as Mercari (in Japanese). To learn how to shop using Mercari, please check this article.

Shipping and Receiving Parcels

Japanese konbini are often a designated pick-up point for parcel delivery. 宅急便 (takyubin - home delivery service) offered by Yamato (Kuroneko) will come to designated konbini to pick up packages. Many konbini chains, including Seven-Eleven and FamilyMart, offer parcel shipping. Please see here for the complete list of konbini chains that participate in this service. When you go to drop off a parcel at the konbini, there will often be mail bins for smaller packages. But, even large packages up to a certain weight can be shipped. Always look for the Yamato logo to confirm that a specific store offers the service. Furthermore, you can set konbini such as 7-11, FamilyMart, etc. as a pick up location for your Yamato delivery. For more information on changing of a pick-up location to a convenience store, please check here (in Japanese).

From konbini, you can also send items you have sold on e-commerce platforms such as Mercari. To learn how to send such items from 7-11, Lawson, and FamilyMart, please check this official website (in Japanese). To learn how to sell on Mercari Japan, please read this article.

Service Kiosk/ATM Machine

Most konbini in Japan have a service kiosk that offers a number of different services. Be aware that many, though not all, service kiosks do have English language menus.

ATM Service

The most common services is that of an ATM machine that allow you to withdraw and deposit money. Many konbini ATMs are available 24 hours a day and you can often use international debit cards at them as well. You will need to confirm with your bank regarding any specific restrictions or transaction fees. However, at a minimum, almost all konbini ATMs will allow you to withdraw money for a small fee. Some konbini, notably 7-11, have their own bank and/or special arrangements with other Japanese banks to allow for free withdrawals, cash deposits, and even transfers.

International Remittances

You can send money to your home country using Western Union at 7-11 konbini. For a list of international money transfer services from and to Japan, please check the following articles "International Money Transfers from Japan" and "International Money Transfers to Japan".

Services Available with My Number Card

If you have My Number Card, you can get issued certificates such as juminhyo (resident record) using kiosk terminals in konbini. Below is a translation of information provided on the following website in Japanese: コンビニエンスストア等における証明書等の自動交付（コンビニ交付）

"Convenience store delivery is a service that allows you to obtain certificates (copies of resident record, certificate of seal registration, etc.)  that are issued by municipalities from kiosk terminals (multi-copiers) at convenience stores nationwide using your My Number Card (or Basic Resident Registration Card) or a smartphone with an electronic certificate for smartphone. If the municipality of your residence and the municipality of your family register are different, you can also obtain a certificate of family register by applying in advance." 

For more details, please check with your municipality in Japan.

Photocopying/Printing/Scanning

Most konbini offer photocopying, printing, and scanning services on site. Documents can be photocopied, pictures printed from a smartphone using a dedicated app, camera memory card or memory stick, and many convenience stores even allow you to scan documents and save to your smartphone using a dedicated app or a USB memory stick. It is also possible to send a fax. The service kiosks at major konbini chains such as Lawson have English language menus so it is very straight forward to get your copies, printing, and scanning accomplished. You typically make payment for any services by putting coins directly into a cash receptacle at the machine itself and not to a clerk. There may be other forms of payment acceptable such as nanaco in case of 7-11.

Transportation/Event Ticket Purchases

Another great service offered through the service kiosk at most konbini is the ability to pay for highway bus/plane and various events/concerts. Generally speaking, you reserve your ticket for whatever service (transportation/event) on the internet and then are given a reservation number. You then take that number to your nearest konbini, go to the appropriate menu on the ATM/service kiosk and enter your reservation #, and it will print out a ticket stub, similar to what is pictured below. Provide this to the clerk and the associated amount of yen and your ticket will be paid for.

To learn about services available and determine which ones may be applicable to your situation, you would need to review each konbini chain's website or visit a konbini and peruse the service kiosk menu.

Power Bank Rental Station

At many convenience stores such as 7-11, Lawson, etc., you can rent a power bank for your phone using ChargerSPOT. It is very simple to use. You would need to install an app, register with the service. After that, you can simply scan QR displayed on the rental station to start renting. When you no longer need the power bank, you can return it back to any ChargerSPOT rental station. It has 3 types of cable such as USB-C, Micro USB, and iOS.

Eat-in Space

Some konbini have spaces where you can take a set and enjoy meal purchased there. Please note that in this case the higher consumption tax of 10% instead of 8% will apply as if you are eating out at the restaurant. Eat-in spaces can be a great option when you do not feel like going to a restaurant, but would like to enjoy some onigiri, sandwiches, bento, etc.

Bicycle Sharing

At some locations of popular convenience store chains such as 7-11, FamilyMart, and Lawson, there are bicycle sharing services available. Please check the official websites (in Japanese) of 7-11, FamilyMart, and Lawson, for more information. If you live in Tokyo, you may be interested in reading "How to Share, Rent Bikes in Tokyo".

Payment Methods and Charging Prepaid Cards

Besides credit/debit cards, various e-money including IC cards such as SUICA and PASMO can be used to pay for groceries and other items at konbini. The logos of accepted methods are displayed. Please note that available methods of payment may differ depending on the services you intend to use. For instance, credit cards are not accepted for paying bills in convenience stores.

You can also charge various prepaid cards at konbini. In case of 7-11, you can also do it through Seven Bank ATM (in Japanese). At Lawson (in Japanese) and FamilyMart (in Japanese), you can also charge various IC cards, etc.  

In addition to the services listed in this article, there are other services available at konbini. Please aware that unlike in some other countries (especially the United States), konbini in Japan do not sell gasoline. To learn about gas stations in Japan, please check this article.