Japanese Phrases for Convenience Stores

Japanese convenience stores, known as konbini, are one of the most useful stops on any trip to Japan. The Japan National Tourism Organization notes that major chains such as Lawson, Family Mart, and Seven Eleven are found across the country, offering everything from hot meals to ATMs. Knowing a handful of checkout phrases makes these stops faster and smoother.

At the register

When you bring your items to the counter, staff will often ask a few quick questions. Here are the phrases that come up most often.

袋いらないです。 [fukuro iranai desu] = "I don't need a bag."

Plastic bags are not automatically included for free, and the cashier will usually ask whether you want one. If you brought your own bag or just want to carry your items by hand, this phrase answers the question before it's even fully asked.

温めてください。 [atatamete kudasai] = "Please warm this up."

If you are buying a bento box or another item meant to be eaten hot, the cashier will often ask "温めますか" (atatamemasu ka, "should I warm it up?"). You can simply answer "はい" (hai, "yes") to that question, or say this phrase yourself if you want to be the one to ask.

お箸を一つください。 [ohashi o hitotsu kudasai] = "One pair of chopsticks, please."

お箸 (ohashi) is the polite word for chopsticks. Some stores automatically include a pair with bento purchases, but asking directly avoids any confusion, especially if you are buying something that doesn't obviously require utensils.

Reading expiration labels

Packaged food in Japan, including convenience store items, uses two different kinds of date labels, and understanding the difference matters for food safety.

賞味期限 (shoumi kigen) refers to the "best by" date, meaning the food will still taste good up to that point, though it may remain safe to eat a little after. This label usually appears on snacks, drinks, and shelf-stable items.

消費期限 (shouhi kigen) refers to the "use by" date, which is the safety cutoff for perishable items like bento boxes, sandwiches, and rice balls. Unlike shoumi kigen, you should not eat the item after this date has passed.

If a cashier or a sticker on the package says something like "消費期限は今日までです" (shouhi kigen wa kyou made desu, "the use-by date is today"), that is their way of letting you know the item needs to be eaten the same day.

Using the ATM

Many konbini locations have an ATM inside, which is often the easiest place to withdraw cash as a foreign visitor, since not all Japanese ATMs accept international cards.

ATMはどこにありますか。 [eetiiemu wa doko ni arimasu ka] = "Where is the ATM?"

Note that the Japanese pronunciation of the letters "ATM" is エーティーエム (ee-tii-emu), not the English way of saying the letters.

海外のカードは使えますか。 [kaigai no kaado wa tsukaemasu ka] = "Can I use a foreign card here?"

Not every ATM in Japan accepts international cards, so this question is worth asking before you insert your card, particularly outside major train stations or tourist areas.

手数料はかかりますか。 [tesuuryou wa kakarimasu ka] = "Is there a fee?"

International withdrawals almost always come with a fee, and this phrase lets you confirm the cost before committing to the transaction.

Putting it together

A typical convenience store visit might sound like this: you pick up a bento, the cashier asks if you want it warmed, you say "はい" or "温めてください," they ask about a bag, you say "袋いらないです" if you don't need one, and you pay. If you need cash first, you can stop at the ATM inside the same store and ask about international card compatibility before withdrawing.

Key takeaways

• 袋いらないです tells the cashier you don't need a bag, since bags are not automatic.
• 温めてください asks for your item to be heated, useful for bento and other hot food.
• 賞味期限 is a "best by" quality date, while 消費期限 is a safety-related "use by" date for perishable items.
• Konbini ATMs are convenient, but confirm foreign card compatibility and fees before withdrawing.
• These short, polite phrases work in any konbini chain across Japan, not just one brand.

Konbini are everywhere, so a short visit is a low-pressure way to practice these phrases before using them in a restaurant or train station.