Here's What Japanese Convenience Stores Are Like Inside (Spoiler: They're Amazing)

It's got everything you could ever want.

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The wondrous Japanese convenience store (konbini) is unlike any convenience store you've probably experienced. You can sit down for a hot meal, buy and print out concert tickets, ship your bags, and get self-care essentials — all from one unassuming storefront.

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You’ll see the big players — Lawson, 7-Eleven, and Family Mart — everywhere, and for people like me, that’s key. When I was traveling around the country and living out of a van, they became my food source, parking lot, workspace, bank, and post office. Multiple visits per day became the norm.

Even though a trip to Japan isn't really an option right now, its amazing convenience stores still deserve your attention. Here's a look inside and a run down of everything you won't want to miss (when you eventually get to visit).

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Keep in mind, some of the offerings vary by store and region. For example, in downtown Tokyo (where space is limited) stores won't always have bathrooms, seating areas, and print and copy machines. The farther you get out of the city, the more conveniences stores evolve into a true one-stop shop, with all the features I mention below.

1. First up: you can order proper coffee from the cashier-turned-barista.

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In every convenience store you’ll find a warming case filled with coffee and tea and a self-serve coffee bar. But if you’re in the mood for coffee shop–style service, seek out a Lawson's Machi café. They're not in every Lawson, but when you stumble upon one, it's gold.

2. For breakfast, sample some baked goods.

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Grab a fresh donut or danish from behind the counter, or go to the bread and cake aisle for plastic-wrapped goodies like melon pan or dorayaki (a pancake sandwich filled with sweet red bean paste).

If pastry first thing in the morning isn’t your vibe, head to the cooler section where you’ll find fresh fruit and yogurt galore. The drinkable yogurt is both weird and amazing.

3. Cure what ails you in the vitamin section.

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There’s an entire section dedicated to vitamins and supplements. If you’re feeling rundown, the carbonated Oronamin C is full of vitamin C and The Collagen, is meant to counter aging and stress. If you’ve got a big night out, take a cue from the locals who rely on Ukon no Chikara (a drink containing lots of turmeric) to ease the impending hangover.

4. Check your email using free Wi-Fi while lounging in the indoor seating.

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If you're in Tokyo (or downtown in a big city) you may be out of luck, but convenience stores in smaller towns and rural areas often have small seating areas by the windows.

Regardless of the seating area sitch, you can hop on the free Wi-Fi for a quick check-in. You’ll need to register when connecting for the first time, which can be difficult, especially at 7-Eleven. Here’s what you need to know to connect at Lawson, and here are the deets for Family Mart.

5. For a snack, pick up the famed convenience store sando.

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People practically write poetry over convenience store sandwiches or “sandos.” These perfectly wrapped triangles are made using exceptionally pillowy bread, and the tamago (egg salad) sando has practically taken the world by storm.

6. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, opt for onigiri.

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These triangular rice balls are stuffed with savory fillings — like tuna and mayo or seaweed and soy sauce — and wrapped in nori (seaweed paper). But the real genius is the cellophane packaging, which keeps the nori crisp by separating it from the rice until you're ready to eat it.

7. Buy those J-pop tickets you’ve been dreaming of — and then print them out.

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Without stepping foot outside the convenience store, you can purchase tickets for that baseball game, J-pop concert, or cross-country bus. Then, print your tickets at the multi-use copy machine — you can copy, scan, and fax, too.

8. If you have a ton of luggage, you can ship a few bags to your next destination.

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Heading to Hokkaido tomorrow and dreading lugging your bags or ski gear on the train? You can ship your bags right from the convenience store thanks to Yamato Transport (and their iconic black cat logo). Delivery is usually the next day, and the service is surprisingly affordable.

9. Or buy a book of stamps and mail your mom a postcard.

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Luggage shipping isn't the only postal service available. You can stop by the counter to buy stamps — and in some stores you can drop off your mail, too.

10. For lunch, select a pre-made meal from the cooler of bento boxes.

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The bento can be eaten cold or hot and often change with the season. Inside each lunch box–style tray you’ll find something different — from a serving of noodles next to some fish and pickled vegetables to donburi, a rice bowl often topped with thin strips of marinated beef or pork cutlet scrambled with eggs. You’ll also find Japanese curry and Western-style pastas. If you want your meal hot, simply head to the in-store microwave.

11. When you’re low on cash, the convenience store is also where you’ll find a foreigner-friendly ATM.

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Much of Japan still uses cash, so chances are you’ll need to keep some yen on hand. When it comes to ATMs, 7-Eleven is your best bet as they consistently support foreign withdrawals.

12. And don’t worry about the amount of time you spend inside — parking is free.

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If you have a car — or are like me and are living in your car — this is where you’ll find parking that is not only free, but also safe and convenient. But remember: within major cities like Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka, convenience store parking is basically non-existent.

13. Eat traditional Japanese comfort food for dinner, or try Lawson's famous fried chicken.

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The convenience store selection changes with the season, and oden is one such example. During the winter months, you’ll find heated metal pots filled with various foods — tofu, boiled eggs, fish cakes, and daikon radish — near the cashier. Grab a plastic bowl and serve yourself, picking and choosing what to put in the dish's hot broth base. The clerk will ring you up based on the ingredients you selected.

If oden isn't gonna cut it, pair the famous konbini fried chicken with a bowl of instant noodles. Lawson in particular is known for their fried chicken, which is cooked on-site and sold in the hot foods section near the register. Pair it with a steaming-hot bowl of instant ramen or yakisoba (fried noodles), which you can make and season in-store.

14. Pair your meal with a can of beer or wine.

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The convenience store liquor selection is surprisingly impressive — particularly at 7-Eleven. You’ll find several brands and styles of sake, shochu, wine, and beer.

15. Then head to the freezer section for dessert.

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When it comes to sweets, there are cakes, candy, and chocolate, but the ice cream is the real standout. You can buy parfaits topped with frozen strawberries, popsicles, and the unforgettable waffle ice cream sandwich (vanilla ice cream stuffed in a chocolate-coated waffle shell).

16. If you get in a pinch — or have a hot date — you can buy new underwear or a shirt.

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Believe it or not, you can find the clothing basics — think plain T-shirts, underwear, tights, hats — in convenience stores. If you forgot a towel for the onsen (public bath) or need a fedora for a big night out, look no further.

17. You can also clean-up (or take a sink shower) in the spotless bathrooms.

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Chances are, the convenience store bathroom is cleaner than the one at your hotel. And if you forgot your toothbrush or ran out of tampons, there’s a full aisle dedicated to toiletries and miscellaneous goods.

18. Or check out the rack of manga porn.

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Whether you plan on buying it or not, the impressive artistry and completely vulgar images will leave you amazed, alarmed, disgusted — and maybe a little turned on.

19. That being said, don’t be rude — there are some rules you should know about.

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The Japanese are very conscious of others, and when you’re traveling there, you should make an effort to be as well. That means you wouldn’t want to hop on the Wi-Fi, use the toilet, or even park your car without purchasing something inside. You also shouldn’t eat your konbini goodies in front of the store — head to the seating area inside, your car, or the nearest park.

20. And the best part is: if you forget something, don’t worry, they’re open 24/7.

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Cue midnight excursion for ice cream waffle sandwiches.

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