I don't really go to コンビニ as I spend my money wisely. If I do it is to get something I need. The local ones to my 1LDK abode and employment are coincidentally セブンイレブン so I frequent them because after all 近くて便利な〜
I use whichever is the closest at the time. I know people have their favorites, but I don't find much between them, to be honest. They all serve their purpose very well.
I do miss the more regional ones that were bought out by the big chains, though. RIP "Save On"...
That's hardly an achievement. I'd rather drink no coffee than whatever that burnt stuff at Starbucks is called. Starbucks is only really good for liquid sugary desserts, if that's your thing.
The coffee machines at 7-eleven do a surprisingly adequate job. I haven't yet decided whether I like the one from the new touchy-feely machines better.
As for the question at hand: I'm konbini agnostic in general, but recently I'm really warming to Lawson Store 100, what with the surprisingly well stocked tiny 24-hour super they cram into the tightest spaces.
It's actually a toss up between 7-11 and Family Mart for me in my neighborhood.
Lately, (for the past couple of years) the staff at Family Mart have been friendly and more culturally diversed. I enjoy talking with the staff in their native language (I try to pick up a few words in their language) and they have on of my favorite sweet breads.
7-11 has a very good and affordable selection of wines. Again, friendly staff. I like their coffees and they have good tamago cake bread and I like their potato salads. I like their spaghetti with red sauce. The flavor reminds me of one of my favorite spaghetti places (The Spaghetti Factory) in my hometown.
Speaking of konbini, here's one of the random things you can't unnotice once you notice them:
The 300-ml One Cup Ozeki is consistently the same price (or sometimes even cheaper) than the regular 180-ml one, even when they are next to each other in the shelf.
I don't really go to コンビニ as I spend my money wisely. If I do it is to get something I need. The local ones to my 1LDK abode and employment are coincidentally セブンイレブン so I frequent them because after all 近くて便利な〜
Your use of katakana and 3 basic kanji isn't impressive. Just write in English guy.
Of the big three, they each have certain items that are better than the others.
Generally, 7-11 has the biggest selection, Famima is the cleanest, and Lawson has some interesting choices that differ from the other two, like select Muji items.
But, MiniStop is better than any of the big three. I especially love their soft cream options, and their hot foods and amazing yakimo. They have the power of Aeon behind them. So, they have a slew of good grocery and food items. Unfortunately, they are few and far between compared to the big three. Considering how Aeon seems to dominate the grocery and mall industries, I would think they would have a bigger presence in the conbini space. Maybe someday.
Daily Yamazaki is YBC (Yamazaki Baking Company), which manufactures horrible packaged baked goods. So, I generally avoid them, unless there's no other choice. But, considering the sheer number of conbinis here, that's a rare occasion. Plus, there's so few of them to begin with.
I used to dislike Lawson, but they got the tie up with Kirin and Oh La Ho, meaning Aooni craft beer in every store. Beer is one of the few products not marked up in conbinis.
7-11 has generally the best snacks, chips etc. Its small and pricey, but the frozen margerita pizza they do is really good, almost wood-fired oven level. Better than most Italian restaurants if you cook it properly.
7-11, and here is one of the main reasons why. If you go to one of the other shops and try to get money from a foreign credit card, let's say a cash advance, or even money from an overseas account, even though there is the tell-tale Visa symbol on the machine at said other stores, it will say your card cannot be used. I have seen foreign tourists running around frantically going from bank to bank and shop to shop trying to get money and cursing over the fact that the machines, shops, and stores say "Visa" but won't actually accept them. The 7-11 ATMs, on the other hand, will. So, when I see said panicking people I take them to a 7-11 and watch their relieved faces as they get money to be able to pay for the restaurant bill at a place that won't accept foreign credit cards (and many still don't).
7-11 has generally the best snacks, chips etc. Its small and pricey, but the frozen margerita pizza they do is really good, almost wood-fired oven level. Better than most Italian restaurants if you cook it properly.
Yes, the 7-11 Premium Gold frozen pizza is very good for a frozen pizza. But, it is in no way better than any decent restaurant pizza.
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Moonraker
7-Eleven, ii kibun.
BertieWooster
Seikomart
Aly Rustom
FamMart 7-11
deanzaZZR
Seicomart, because that means you are in lovely Hokkaido. My wife and I are headed back and will spend a week in Hokkaido in late December.
wallace
I don't have a favorite but probably we use Lawson more than others. Last week had a very nice coffee from Family Mart.
Eastman
none.
Elvis is here
I don't really go to コンビニ as I spend my money wisely. If I do it is to get something I need. The local ones to my 1LDK abode and employment are coincidentally セブンイレブン so I frequent them because after all 近くて便利な〜
isabelle
I use whichever is the closest at the time. I know people have their favorites, but I don't find much between them, to be honest. They all serve their purpose very well.
I do miss the more regional ones that were bought out by the big chains, though. RIP "Save On"...
dan
They are all overpriced.
mikeylikesit
No Seicomart? Outrage!
2020hindsights
It has to be Lawson, because I am addicted to からあげクン!
zulander
famima for their moca coffee.
Premium selections have disappeared from the others.
Jack
Really a tie for me between 7-11 and Family Mart.
wallace
I was surprised that the ¥130 Cafe Latte from Family Mart was better than Starbucks.
piskian
Lawson coffee is way superior to Starbucks.
We only have Familymart here,but luckily the staff have become enamoured of my children.
Nice to have real chats with Indian, Bangladeshi, Vietnamese and other foreign staff.
ClippetyClop
Famima sell a basic curry rice which can be pimped up with a piece or two of their excellent habanero crispy chicken.
Sherwin Go
Before 7-Eleven, but now Family Mart because I so love the FamiChiki...
diobrando
7-Eleven, much better in almost everything (food choice, service etc.) compared to the other. Lawson just for ticket concert or Ghibli...
kyushubill
Here in Miyazaki Mini Stop seems to be more frequent you find. Always clean, friendly, and 10% cheaper than the rest.
Quo Primum
Seicomart.
runner3
To tell the truth when I'm in Japan I go to all of them. I really can't tell them apart. They're all pretty good.
Spitfire
Aeon My Basket.
BertieWooster
ANY coffee is superior to Starbucks!
BackpackingNepal
7Eleven in HK is much better than Japan.
YeahRight
There's a difference?
Roy
That's hardly an achievement. I'd rather drink no coffee than whatever that burnt stuff at Starbucks is called. Starbucks is only really good for liquid sugary desserts, if that's your thing.
The coffee machines at 7-eleven do a surprisingly adequate job. I haven't yet decided whether I like the one from the new touchy-feely machines better.
As for the question at hand: I'm konbini agnostic in general, but recently I'm really warming to Lawson Store 100, what with the surprisingly well stocked tiny 24-hour super they cram into the tightest spaces.
fatrainfallingintheforest
The coffee at Starbucks is SO bad, it's the biggest coffee chain in the world!
Chico3
It's actually a toss up between 7-11 and Family Mart for me in my neighborhood.
Lately, (for the past couple of years) the staff at Family Mart have been friendly and more culturally diversed. I enjoy talking with the staff in their native language (I try to pick up a few words in their language) and they have on of my favorite sweet breads.
7-11 has a very good and affordable selection of wines. Again, friendly staff. I like their coffees and they have good tamago cake bread and I like their potato salads. I like their spaghetti with red sauce. The flavor reminds me of one of my favorite spaghetti places (The Spaghetti Factory) in my hometown.
Both places are affordable and convenient for me.
Chico3
That's true. You can even get the same coffee at Costco for a fraction of Starbuck's price and McDonald's McCafe is very good and affordable.
Chico3
Yes, their chicken is very good. My daughters love their Nikuman and frankfurters.
Roy
Speaking of konbini, here's one of the random things you can't unnotice once you notice them:
The 300-ml One Cup Ozeki is consistently the same price (or sometimes even cheaper) than the regular 180-ml one, even when they are next to each other in the shelf.
Gozar
Your use of katakana and 3 basic kanji isn't impressive. Just write in English guy.
garypen
Of the big three, they each have certain items that are better than the others.
Generally, 7-11 has the biggest selection, Famima is the cleanest, and Lawson has some interesting choices that differ from the other two, like select Muji items.
But, MiniStop is better than any of the big three. I especially love their soft cream options, and their hot foods and amazing yakimo. They have the power of Aeon behind them. So, they have a slew of good grocery and food items. Unfortunately, they are few and far between compared to the big three. Considering how Aeon seems to dominate the grocery and mall industries, I would think they would have a bigger presence in the conbini space. Maybe someday.
Daily Yamazaki is YBC (Yamazaki Baking Company), which manufactures horrible packaged baked goods. So, I generally avoid them, unless there's no other choice. But, considering the sheer number of conbinis here, that's a rare occasion. Plus, there's so few of them to begin with.
TokyoLiving
All Konbinis are great..
Go Ministop !!!...
atomu
The correct answer.
If not up in the deep north, it's a toss up between 711 & Family Mart. Each have their own specialities.
John-San
It's 7&iholdings
kohakuebisu
I used to dislike Lawson, but they got the tie up with Kirin and Oh La Ho, meaning Aooni craft beer in every store. Beer is one of the few products not marked up in conbinis.
7-11 has generally the best snacks, chips etc. Its small and pricey, but the frozen margerita pizza they do is really good, almost wood-fired oven level. Better than most Italian restaurants if you cook it properly.
quercetum
The coffee is not bad at 7 and Family.
smithinjapan
7-11, and here is one of the main reasons why. If you go to one of the other shops and try to get money from a foreign credit card, let's say a cash advance, or even money from an overseas account, even though there is the tell-tale Visa symbol on the machine at said other stores, it will say your card cannot be used. I have seen foreign tourists running around frantically going from bank to bank and shop to shop trying to get money and cursing over the fact that the machines, shops, and stores say "Visa" but won't actually accept them. The 7-11 ATMs, on the other hand, will. So, when I see said panicking people I take them to a 7-11 and watch their relieved faces as they get money to be able to pay for the restaurant bill at a place that won't accept foreign credit cards (and many still don't).
Also, food and coffee is a lot better.
garypen
Yes, the 7-11 Premium Gold frozen pizza is very good for a frozen pizza. But, it is in no way better than any decent restaurant pizza.