🇯🇵 にほん の 「ねんまつ ねんし（年末年始）」 を たのしもう！ ：ひらがな と カタカナ で よめる かんたん にほんご ガイド
PikaMyu RYO
Enjoy JAPAN NAVI
How to Use Japanese Convenience Stores (Konbini): Easy English Guide for Foreign Residents & Travelers
PikaMyu RYO
記事内に商品プロモーションを含む場合があります
Japanese convenience stores—called konbini—are amazingly useful, clean, and safe. You can buy food, drinks, daily items, tickets, and even pay bills all in one place.
This guide explains how to use konbini easily, safely, and politely—even if it’s your first time in Japan.
やさしい にほんご で よむ
🏪 にほん の コンビニ の つかいかた 〜あんしん べんり に おかいもの〜：ひらがな と カタカナ で よめる かんたん にほんご ガイド
Contents
What You Can Do at a Konbini
Food & Drinks
Konbini have a wide range of ready-to-eat items:
- bento boxes, onigiri, sandwiches, bread, sweets, snacks, etc.
- hot foods like fried chicken or oden (seasonal)
- various drinks including tea, coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks, etc.
Services
- ATM
- Copy/print machine
- Wi-Fi (in some stores)
- Bill payment
- Parcel pickup
- Ticket purchases (concerts, events, etc.)
- Toilets (available in many stores)
Payment Methods
You can pay by:
- Cash
- Credit/debit card
- Suica, Pasmo, and other IC cards
- QR code payments (depending on store)
ATM note:
ATMs at konbini are generally safe, but use basic precautions like covering your PIN and avoiding using ATMs if someone is standing too close.
Useful Staff Phrases
Konbini staff may ask:
- “Atatamemasu ka?”（あたためますか？）
Would you like it heated? - “Fukuro wa irimasu ka?”（袋はいりますか？）
Do you need a plastic bag?
You can answer:
- “Hai”: Yes
- “Daijoubu desu” / “Iie”: No
Handy Japanese Phrases (With Romaji)
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Can you heat this? | atatamete kudasai（あたためてください） |
| No plastic bag, please | fukuro wa irimasen（袋はいりません） |
| Do you have a spoon/chopsticks? | spoon / ohashi arimasu ka?（スプーン / おはし ありますか？） |
| What time do you close? | nanji ni shimarimasu ka?（何時に閉まりますか？） |
| May I use the restroom? | toire ii desu ka?（トイレ いいですか？） |
| Thank you | arigatou（ありがとう） |
| Excuse me / Sorry | sumimasen（すみません） |
💡 Tip:
Some stores require you to say “Sumimasen, toire ii desu ka?” to use the restroom. It’s polite to ask before entering.
Konbini Manners
Important but Friendly Guide 🌸
Japanese konbini (convenience stores) are very useful.
They are clean, fast, and easy to use.
But many konbini are small and narrow.
Good manners help staff and customers feel comfortable.
Here are some gentle rules to follow 😊
1) Be careful with big bags and backpacks 🎒
Many konbini aisles are narrow.
If your backpack is big,
take it off your back or hold it in front of you.
This helps you avoid hitting shelves or other people.
Moving slowly gives a very good impression.
2) Speak quietly inside the store 🔇
Konbini are small spaces.
Speaking loudly can make other people feel surprised or uncomfortable.
Please use a soft and calm voice.
Phone calls should also be short and quiet if possible.
3) Keep some distance when lining up 📶
When you wait at the cashier,
do not stand too close to the person in front of you.
Leaving a small space shows respect for privacy.
This is an important custom in Japan.
4) Follow the queue order 🚶
In Japan, waiting in line is very important.
Do not cut in line.
Please wait calmly until it is your turn.
This helps everyone feel safe and relaxed.
5) Do not open items before paying 📦
Please do not open food or drinks before you pay.
Once an item is opened,
the staff cannot sell it, and it causes trouble.
You can eat or drink after buying,
outside the store or in an eat-in space.
6) Follow the rules in the eat-in area 🍽️
Some konbini have eat-in spaces.
When you use them, please:
- Do not talk loudly
- Keep the table clean
- Do not stay too long during busy hours
Remember: it is a shared space.
7) Use trash bins correctly 🗑️
Trash bins in konbini are mainly for items bought in that store.
Please do not throw away trash from other places.
If there is no trash bin,
taking your trash back to your hotel or home
is considered very polite.
8) Do not take photos or videos without permission 📷
Taking photos or videos inside the store is usually not allowed.
Staff or other customers may appear in the picture.
This can make people uncomfortable.
If you want to take photos,
please ask the staff first.
Tips 🌸
Konbini support daily life in Japan.
By following small manners,
everyone can feel comfortable and respected.
Turning
“I didn’t know”
into
“Now I understand”
is a great first step 😊
When Store Hours Are Shorter
Most big cities have 24-hour konbini, but:
- Tourist spots
- Mountainside areas
- Countryside towns
may have shorter hours.
Before going far to find a konbini, ask someone:
“Kono konbini wa nanji made desu ka?”（このコンビニは何時までですか？）
What time does this convenience store close?”
This will save you a lot of trouble!
Helpful Links
The official English website of a major convenience store is below.
Final Tips
Konbini are one of the easiest and safest places for travelers to use in Japan.
As long as you follow basic manners and stay aware of store rules, you’ll have a smooth and pleasant experience.
Enjoy exploring Japanese konbini—they’re small, but full of surprises!
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横浜（よこはま）出身（しゅっしん）の日本人（にほんじん）です。25の国（くに）と地域（ちいき）の言葉（ことば）を勉強（べんきょう）しています。台湾（たいわん）で日本語（にほんご）を教（おし）えるための勉強（べんきょう）をしたことがあります。日本（にほん）で役（やく）に立（た）つ情報（じょうほう）をまとめていきます。時々（ときどき）見（み）に来（き）てくださいね♪
