"You can pick up your residence certificate at the konbini." Most foreigners hearing this for the first time are baffled. "I don't have to go to the city office?"
Correct. You don't.
Japan's major convenience store chains (Seven-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, and others) are far more than grocery stores. They roll city office, bank, post office, parcel center, print shop, ticket counter, and restaurant into a single building — true urban infrastructure.
This article walks through 15 genius services at the konbini, organized by use case. Knowing them will dramatically change how convenient your life in Japan feels.
Konbini basics
Some quick facts to start.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of stores | About 55,000 nationwide (as of 2026) |
| Top three chains | Seven-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson |
| Hours | Generally 24/7, 365 days (some now operate shorter hours) |
| Payment | Cash, credit card, IC cards (Suica, etc.), QR codes (PayPay, etc.), e-money |
"There's a konbini nearby" alone affects rent prices — that's how deeply embedded they are in daily Japanese life.
[City office functions] Residence certificates, seal certificates, family registers
This is the feature that surprises foreigners most.
1. Residence certificate (jūminhyō) via the Convenience Store Issuance Service
- What you need: My Number Card (and your 4-digit PIN memorized)
- Where: The "multi-copy machine" inside the store
- Time: About 5 minutes
- Fee: Varies by city (typically ¥100–300 — often cheaper than at the counter)
- Hours: Most cities offer 6:30–23:00 (excluding year-end holidays)
How it works:
- Choose "Government Services" on the multi-copy machine
- Place your My Number Card on the indicated spot
- Enter your 4-digit PIN
- Choose the document and number of copies
- Insert cash and collect your printout
This service almost eliminates the need to go to the city office on weekdays — a revolution for office workers and students. Available documents include: Certificate of Residence (jūminhyō), seal registration certificate, family register documents (subject to some restrictions based on registered domicile), income / tax certificates, and various other tax documents.
2. Family register documents (some cities)
Even when your registered domicile differs from where you currently live, an increasing number of cities let you obtain family register documents at the konbini using your My Number Card and an advance registration.
Important: You cannot use the konbini issuance service without a My Number Card. Apply at your city office (free for the first card). It takes about a month to be issued — strongly recommended to apply soon after arriving in Japan.
[Banking functions] 24-hour ATMs
3. 24-hour ATMs
The big three chains each have ATMs.
| Convenience store | ATM |
|---|---|
| Seven-Eleven | Seven Bank ATM |
| Lawson | Lawson Bank ATM |
| FamilyMart | E-net ATM, Japan Post Bank ATM |
Hours: Nearly 24/7 (some banks pause overnight)
Fees (rough guide): About ¥110 on weekdays 8:45–18:00; about ¥220 outside those hours (varies by bank, time, and day)
Seven Bank ATMs support 12 languages and accept cards issued overseas (VISA, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay, and others) for cash withdrawals.
4. Overseas remittance
Seven Bank offers an "International Money Transfer Service." You open an account through their dedicated app and deposit cash at the ATM to send money to family abroad (with cash pickup available in many countries).
[Payment functions] Utility bills and taxes
5. Pay bills with barcoded slips (haraikomi-hyō)
Electricity, gas, water, mobile phone, vehicle tax, National Pension, National Health Insurance premiums, deferred online shopping payments...
If your bill has a barcode, you can pay it at the register at any konbini.
- Hours: During store hours (essentially 24/7)
- Payment: Cash only (credit cards and e-money are generally not accepted)
- Fee: No charge to the customer
- Receipt: A separate official receipt (ryōshūshō) is issued, distinct from the regular sales receipt
Important: Payments over ¥300,000 may not be accepted at the konbini (due to regulations on payment collection services). Pay rent or large bills via bank transfer or credit card.
[Delivery functions] Sending and receiving packages
6. Sending parcels
Yamato Transport (Takkyūbin) parcels can be sent from FamilyMart and select Seven-Eleven stores. Sagawa Express and Japan Post (Yu-Pack) parcels can be sent from Lawson and Ministop.
- Documents: A shipping label provided by the store, or a QR code generated through an app
- Payment: Cash or electronic payment
- Delivery time slots: Selectable (after the daily cutoff time, parcels go out the next day)
QR-code shipping labels generated by smartphone are now widespread, eliminating the need to handwrite addresses.
7. Online shopping pickup
You can pick up Amazon, Rakuten, and Mercari packages at the konbini. Hugely popular with people who are often away from home or who prefer not to display their name on a doorplate.
- Choose "convenience store pickup" at checkout
- You'll receive an email when the package arrives
- Show the email number at the register to receive your package
- After the holding period (usually one week from arrival), packages are returned automatically
[Printing functions] Copying, faxing, and net printing
The multi-copy machine handles much more than government documents.
8. Net Print (mobile printing)
Print documents and photos saved on your phone or PC at the konbini, even without a home printer.
- Seven-Eleven: "Easy Net Print" app or "netprint"
- FamilyMart / Lawson: "PrintSmash" or "Network Print"
- A4 black-and-white: ¥20 per page; A4 color: about ¥60 per page
Printing PDFs lets you complete government paperwork at home without owning a printer.
9. Photo printing
Print smartphone photos on L-size glossy paper (¥30–40 per print). You can also print ID photos for about ¥200 — usable for Residence Card and passport renewals (check the background and size requirements).
10. Fax sending
Even today, Japanese government offices, hospitals, and real estate agencies sometimes still use fax. You can send domestic and international faxes from the konbini (¥50+ per page domestically).
[Lifestyle services] Tickets and applications
11. Ticket reservations and pickups
Buy and pick up tickets for concerts, theater, sports, museums, and theme parks at the dedicated terminal next to the register (Loppi at Lawson, Famiport at FamilyMart, etc.).
12. Airline and shinkansen tickets
Pick up airline tickets and shinkansen (JR) tickets by entering your reservation number (coverage varies by carrier).
13. Day-of tickets for live events
Convert mobile-purchased e-tickets into physical ones, or print payment slips for in-person registration.
[Food and drink] The ultimate prepared-food shop
14. Bento, salads, and sweets
Seven-Eleven's bento boxes and prepared dishes are world-famous for their quality. ¥500–800 buys you a balanced meal. Heating is free — at the register, just say "atatamete kudasai" or "Please warm."
Popular items: onigiri (rice balls, ¥120–200), bento (¥500–700), hot snacks (¥150–400), konbini coffee (¥120–200), oden (winter only, select stores)
15. 24-hour eat-in space
Many stores offer an eat-in area where you can consume what you bought on-site. Many offer free Wi-Fi and power outlets, making them practical for studying or remote work.
Etiquette: Items consumed in the eat-in area are taxed at 10% (vs. 8% for takeaway, under the reduced consumption tax rate). Either declare "I'll eat in" or answer honestly when asked at the register. Don't hog tables for hours, and don't bring in food bought elsewhere.
Other handy features worth knowing
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Currency exchange (no) | Konbini do not provide currency exchange; withdraw from the ATM and get change from a purchase |
| Parking and bike parking | Free 24/7 (no long-term parking) |
| Public restrooms | Generally free to use (some stores ask you to make a purchase first) |
| Wi-Fi | Free with email registration |
| Emergency safe haven | Functions as a designated safe spot for women and children, coordinated with police |
FAQ
Q. Can I get a residence certificate without a My Number Card?
A. Unfortunately, no — the convenience store issuance service requires a My Number Card. A paper Notification Card alone won't work. Apply at your ward office (free for the first card).
Q. Can I pay utility bills by credit card at the konbini?
A. No — payment slips (barcoded bills) are cash-only at konbini registers. To pay by credit card, switch to direct credit card billing on each provider's website (electric company, gas company, etc.).
Q. Will my overseas-issued credit card work?
A. The big three chains accept VISA, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, and UnionPay. However, some transactions require an IC chip and PIN — signature-only cards may be refused.
Q. Is it safe to go to a konbini late at night?
A. Generally yes. Konbini are coordinated with the National Police Agency as "safe stations." Stores displaying a "Safety Station" sticker will contact police on your behalf in an emergency.
Q. How does sales tax work on bento I don't reheat?
A. Eating in → 10% (treated as restaurant dining). Take-away → 8% (reduced consumption tax rate). The cashier will ask. Whether or not you reheat doesn't affect the rate.
Q. I heard not all konbini are open 24 hours anymore.
A. True. With labor shortages and reduced overnight demand, more stores now operate shorter hours (e.g., 5:00–23:00). Check store hours in advance via each chain's store finder if you plan to use one late at night.
Q. Is it OK to ask konbini staff for directions?
A. Generally yes, but avoid times when the register is busy. Most konbini also have neighborhood maps. If you're in a hurry, using Google Maps via the konbini Wi-Fi is often faster.
Final thoughts
A Japanese konbini is not just a "store" — it's "the town itself." In particular:
- Get a My Number Card → unlocks city office functions
- Identify one konbini near you → use it for ATMs, bill payments, parcels
- Practice the multi-copy machine once → printing and government paperwork all happen at home time
Just doing these will sharply reduce how often you need to visit ward offices and banks on weekdays.
At Nihongo-tomo, we offer free vocabulary lists for konbini, bank, and ward office terms. Learning common register questions like "atatamemasu ka?" ("Shall I heat it?") and "fukuro irimasu ka?" ("Do you need a bag?") in advance makes daily shopping much smoother.
References / 参考・出典
- Convenience Store Issuance Service Official (J-LIS) — Available stores, supported cities, and document types
- List of stores supporting Convenience Store Issuance Service
- Seven Bank ATM — Overseas Card Support — 12 languages, international money transfers
- Mizuho Bank — Konbini ATM Hours and Fees — ATM fee reference
- National Tax Agency — Reduced Consumption Tax System — Basis for 10% (eat-in) vs 8% (take-away)
- Japan Franchise Association — Convenience store industry statistics
- Each chain's official site: Seven-Eleven / FamilyMart / Lawson
All institutional details and services in this article are based on information accurate as of May 2026. Available services and fees vary by store and region — check with your local store or city for the latest details.