Konbini and Depachika

Konbini food is refreshed several times a day. Onigiri, sandwiches, bento, noodle dishes and salads fill the chilled shelves; a counter near the till offers fried chicken, croquettes and steamed buns, and in the cold months a pot of oden. Staff will heat bento in a microwave on request. Self-service coffee machines, frozen desserts, seasonal sweets and a large range of drinks, including beer, sake and chūhai, complete the offer.

Chains release new products constantly, particularly limited seasonal items, and compete on their own-brand ranges. Konbini also sell everyday goods, from underwear and umbrellas to phone chargers and cosmetics.

Beyond food, konbini function as service points. Most have ATMs that accept many foreign cards, multifunction machines for printing, copying and scanning, and counters where customers pay utility bills and taxes, pick up online orders, send parcels and buy tickets for concerts, sports and transport. Many stores are open 24 hours, though some have shortened hours, and most have a toilet available to customers.

A depachika is organised by counters, each run by a separate maker or brand. Typical sections include sōzai (prepared side dishes and salads, sold by weight or portion), bento and sushi, bakery, Western cakes, wagashi, tea, pickles, fresh and dried fish, meat, gift fruit and wine and sake. Many counters offer small tastings, and some make food in view of customers.

Depachika are central to Japanese gift culture: boxed sweets and delicacies bought there are the standard present for visits, and they are busiest during the summer and year-end gift seasons. They also take preorders for seasonal foods such as New Year osechi. Late in the day, many counters mark down fresh food with discount stickers.

Both konbini and depachika follow the food calendar closely: ehōmaki sushi rolls for Setsubun, chocolate for Valentine's Day, sakura sweets in spring, eel for the summer Ox Day, and osechi and Christmas cakes at year end. Convenience stores popularised the ehōmaki custom nationwide from the 1990s.

Food bought at a konbini is generally eaten at home, at the office, or in an eat-in corner where there is one; eating while walking is considered bad manners in many places. Rubbish should be taken home or put in the store's bins, as public bins are rare. Payment is by cash, card, IC card or smartphone.