Is Japan 7-Eleven any good? Hypothetical question for we all know the fact not only is 7-11 the best but Japanese 7-Eleven is the king of the whole crap. And yes I mean better than Bangkok or Seoul.
And why is Japanese 7-Eleven so damned good? Well this is for a myriad of reasons but chief among them is that under almost every category they offer the widest range of “goodies” of any mart in Asia. And when you tie this in with the fact the Japanese do things a little “different” then you also have the whole weird factor.
Oh and in case of ambiguity 7-11 Malaysia is still the worst.
What the 7-Eleven Japan?
7-Eleven started in America Dallas in the 1920s. But Japan turned it into something else. They opened their first store in 1974 and have since swallowed the entire operation buying out the American parent company in 2005. So yes the Japanese 7-Eleven now runs the whole show.
Unlike the American version which is mostly a petrol station attached to a shop Japanese 7-Eleven is a full on lifestyle brand. It is not just about snacks but convenience at every level services food drinks even clothing. This reinvention transformed the convenience store into an essential part of daily Japanese life.
7-Eleven Japan operates tens of thousands of stores nationwide and leads the convenience store market not just in size but in influence. The company isn’t just following a template they write the rulebook and the rest of the world copies. The fact they now own the original American brand only proves how much they have dominated this space. They don’t just sell stuff they offer solutions for almost every everyday need.
7-Eleven Japan in Numbers
There are over 21,000 7-Eleven stores in Japan a number so high it’s easy to forget how many that really is. Family Mart trails behind with around 16,000 stores and Lawson has roughly 14,000. The density means that in cities like Tokyo you can’t walk more than a few hundred meters without bumping into a 7-Eleven.
This massive footprint is a huge part of their success because availability means convenience is real not just a buzzword. Whether you’re in a city centre a suburban neighbourhood or even some smaller towns chances are you’re close to one. Their presence is relentless and absolutely part of everyday life here.
Hot Food at 7-Eleven Japan
The hot food at 7-Eleven Japan is seriously impressive. You walk in and are met with trays of oden simmering in a rich light broth. This isn’t just some cheap fast food oden it’s proper stuff thick chunks of daikon tender boiled eggs various fishcakes and konjac jelly all soaking in a soy dashi broth that tastes like it was simmered for hours.
Then there’s the fried chicken karaage which nails that crispy skin and juicy inside better than many sit down restaurants. It’s the kind of chicken you want to eat cold straight out of the box with a beer or hot right away if you prefer.
You’ll find pork katsu croquettes and an array of microwaveable meals. Curry rice with tender chunks of meat and fluffy rice yakisoba stir fried noodles omurice fried rice wrapped in a fluffy omelette and even creamy gratin dishes.
The Philippines and Thailand try to compete with rice heavy meals but can’t match the Japanese consistency or packaging. South Korea offers some good hot food but the variety and freshness don’t come close.
You can grab a filling hot meal here anytime for under 600 yen which is less than five bucks and beats most fast food prices with zero compromise on taste.
Click to read why 7-11 Cambodia is sooooo bad.
7-Eleven Sandwiches in Japan
Sandwiches at Japanese 7-Eleven are a mixed bag. The classics like egg salad ham and cheese and the famous strawberry cream sandwich are all here. Soft white bread with light fluffy fillings and no nasties.
But then they mix in some Chinese inspired flavours like shrimp mayo sandwiches yakisoba fried noodle sandwiches and even sweet potato paste filled bread. These odd combos don’t always work for foreigners and sometimes come off as strange or too sweet.
In terms of sandwich quality and variety Hong Kong 7-Eleven still owns the crown. Their sandwiches feature thick slices of ham real cheese and bread with a firmer texture that actually satisfies hunger better. Japan’s sandwiches are fine for a light snack but don’t come close to the full experience Hong Kong offers.
The Drinks at 7-Eleven Japan
This is where things get crazy. Japan’s 7-Eleven drinks section is loaded with beers from every prefecture big brands craft beers regional brews.
Highballs in cans are everywhere whisky mixed with soda and ice ready to drink. Sake comes in single serving cartons plus shochu umeshu plum wine vodka and even champagne for those feeling fancy.
Want a lemon sour with 9 percent alcohol? It’s here. Whisky soda with a Tokyo twist check. Seasonal cocktails like yuzu or matcha done. And yes, yes, yes they have soju.
No other convenience store in Asia comes close to this selection. Saigon’s 7-Eleven might be second best with its solid beer and spirits variety but Japan takes the crown hands down.
And the Best of the Rest
Snacks and sweets at 7-Eleven Japan are next level. Shelves are packed with Matcha KitKats mochi balls Hokkaido cheesecake slices wasabi peas and dozens of potato chip flavours many with local twists like soy sauce or seaweed.
Beyond just snacks these stores are service hubs. You can pay your utility bills buy train or concert tickets send faxes print out documents and withdraw cash on foreign cards from their ATMs. The fact their ATMs accept foreign cards is a big deal in Japan where many banks refuse them.
And You Can Buy Clothes
Here’s the weird but genius part. Japanese 7-Eleven sells clothes but not normal clothes. We’re talking single use underwear emergency dress shirts neckties thermal socks rain ponchos and disposable gloves.
Missed your last train and stuck overnight? No problem. You can buy fresh underwear a toothbrush and warm clothes to survive until morning. It’s bizarre but uniquely Japanese and incredibly practical.
In Conclusion
Other countries might do certain things better. Korea with spicier snacks Thailand with rice heavy meals Hong Kong with sandwiches.
But nobody comes close to the complete package that Japanese 7-Eleven offers.
It’s a snack shop bar ATM post office ticket agent emergency gear supplier and more all rolled into one. America might have given birth to 7-Eleven but Japan owns it now. They bought out the original and run the global empire.
Is Japan 7-Eleven any good? No it’s bloody awesome. The highest score yet on the #711quest. 9.75 out of 10.