Think of 7-Eleven and you might picture your average convenience store. It is the place to refill your car’s gas tank, but while you’re at it, perhaps you will purchase a bag of chips to go with your large slurpee? In Japan, however, 7-Eleven is a completely different experience, redefining what convenience truly means. Imagine walking into a highly organized store where everything from freshly prepared rice bowls to noodles is ready to grab and go. Sound like a dream? Well you’re in luck because this may soon become a reality in U.S. stores!

Konbini!

In Japan, the culture of “konbini” or 7-Eleven is an essential part of daily life for busy individuals, ranging from students to office workers. What makes konbinis stand out is heavily due to their nearly endless selection of snacks, meals, and beverages that appeal to all cravings. By contrast, U.S. convenience stores are far less focused on freshness and diversity, relying on pre-packaged foods. These often heavily processed products don’t necessarily encourage regular visits beyond occasional snacks. Let’s take a deeper look into how Japan has over 21,000 7-Eleven locations, making it the largest convenience store chain in the country. 

One of the main stars is onigiri, a compact rice ball usually stuffed with fillings like salmon, tuna, or pickled plum. Onigiri is both delicious and convenient to eat, making it the perfect snack or light meal for people on the go. Sandwiches range from fluffy egg salad to thick katsu cutlet, providing satisfying meal options without the fast-food heaviness. Other popular options include hot bar items like crispy fried chicken, nikuman (steamed buns filled with pork), and karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken), all of which are freshly prepared and carefully packaged to keep them tasting great. 

“Customer appreciation would also go up in U.S. 7-Elevens since everyone would appreciate healthier food options,” said Amir Kozhakhmet ’28.

Are you craving something sweet? Shelves are lined with mochi, cream-filled pastries, peelable fruit gummies, and perfectly sweet cakes. You can easily pick up a little dessert to go with your meal, like a custard-filled taiyaki (fish-shaped pastry) or a soft castella pancake. 

Jaima Wahed ’26 said, “Instead of being a typical grab and go gas station, Japan’s 7-Elevens have more of an elevated feel to them, since they offer more fresh and diverse food options.”

What really sets Japan apart from other convenience stores is their inclusion of microwaves, hot water stations, and ice cups. Customers can heat up meals like ramen, rice bowls, or curry, on the spot rather than taking them home. You can also choose from a variety of packaged juice flavors and pour it into an ice cup. Plus, you’ll know exactly how much juice or water is poured, and you can customize how cold you want it. 

On A Budget?

One of the most impressive aspects of Japan’s 7-Elevens is their affordable price. Meals such as curry bowls, fried chicken, packaged soups, and iced coffees are all available for around 500-700 yen (roughly $3-5), with full meals priced around 1,000 yen, or $7. That’s a full meal, including a drink and dessert, for less than what a single snack and soda might cost in the U.S. By offering such high-quality options at a low price, Japan’s 7-Elevens attract a wide range of customers, from students looking for a quick and affordable lunch to tourists wanting to explore Japan’s diverse food options.

“The variety of actually filling and nutritious meals for a fair price is amazing. I’ve always wanted to try food from a Japanese 7-Eleven, and it definitely costs a lot of time and money to fly to Japan, so the introduction of Japanese products to 7-Elevens in the U.S. would be very convenient,” said Olivia Lin ’27.

In a 2022 questionnaire conducted by Japan’s Seven & I Group, 7-Eleven’s parent company, over 20% of Japanese customers expressed high satisfaction with their 7-Eleven. This is a stark contrast to the U.S., where over 400 7-Eleven stores announced they would be shutting down this year due to underperformance in revenue and customer traffic.

With affordable prices and diverse food options, it’s no surprise that students often flock to konbinis after school to eat and hang out. In many ways, Japan’s 7-Elevens feel more like 24-hour cafés, encouraging customers to linger, socialize, or even study while enjoying their meal. 

“I always see videos of people traveling to Asia and trying authentic foods there, and many even stop at convenience stores like 7-Eleven. The quality of Asian convenience food drastically exceeds the quality of American convenience foods, so I’m curious about that aspect,” said Melissa Zhou ’25.

Clean and Welcoming

Japan’s 7-Elevens also stand out for their amazing cleanliness and welcoming staff. These stores are often spotless, with well-maintained aisles, brightly lit interiors, and a layout that’s easy to navigate. The harsh fluorescent lighting or rushed atmosphere that prevails in many U.S. convenience stores is nowhere to be seen in Japan’s konbinis. Because U.S. convenience stores tend to prioritize speed and efficiency over welcoming, it’s no wonder U.S. 7-Elevens have much to work on considering their negative reviews. 

The staff at Japan’s 7-Elevens are also known to greet customers with friendly manners and offer top-notch customer service. You’re far more likely to receive help with finding items or using the in-store services. One of the main reasons for that is because hospitality in Japan is highly valued, which usually leaves customers coming back time and again. 

“If U.S. workers could maintain the level I’ve seen in Japan and start changing convenience store culture, I think some great changes could come through,” said Kina Nagasaki ’26.

With these points in mind, it’s clear why influencers and tourists around the world travel to Japan simply for the 7-Eleven experience. Speaking of which, if you’re ever planning a trip to Japan, definitely try to visit. 

What To Expect

Now, this iconic Japanese experience is making its way to the U.S. stores. They aim to boost U.S. sales from 24% to one-third by introducing items inspired by Japanese food culture, such as Mangonada donuts with Tajin, barbeque pork sliders, chicken curry bowls, chicken teriyaki rice balls, miso ramen, sweet chili crisp wings, and breakfast sandwiches, just to name a few. In addition, they’re focusing on bringing unique snacks like rich chocolates and unique chip flavors to the American market. 7-Eleven Inc. has announced it will work closely with Japan’s 7-Eleven, learning the best practices of its food manufacturers. 

“I think these changes will meet my expectations because more variety is good, and it will incentivize me to go to 7-Eleven more often,” said Anna Hunt ’27.

Hailey Poon ’27 said, “I’m not sure if America will be able to implement Japanese food into 7-Elevens as well as I would like them to, but I would highly appreciate any effort.” 

With its clear and ambitious goal to bring the taste, quality, and aura of Japan’s konbinis to America – one question awaits: will you stop by your local 7-Eleven for fresh onigiri, a bowl of miso ramen, a creamy matcha dessert, and a variety of other diverse food selections? If so, this revamped 7-Eleven might just be the experience you’ve been waiting for. 

With its clear and ambitious goal to bring the taste, quality, and aura of Japan’s konbinis to America – one question awaits: will you stop by your local 7-Eleven for fresh onigiri, a bowl of miso ramen, a creamy matcha dessert, and a variety of other diverse food selections? If so, this revamped 7-Eleven might just be the experience you’ve been waiting for.