Convenience Stores

Japan has many different types of convenience stores, and you’ll quickly notice there may even be multiple on the same block!

Most convenience stores carry similar products, though ingredients and possible contaminants can vary slightly between companies. Because of this, I highly recommend always checking ingredient labels, even for products that may look identical across stores.

One convenience store that carries a noticeably wider range of gluten free and allergy-friendly foods is Natural Lawson. Most stores are located within Tokyo, with a few extending into nearby prefectures. I especially recommend checking out Natural Lawson if you have multiple allergies or dietary restrictions, as they tend to stock a much larger variety of specialty products.

However, as Natural Lawson is a bit of a trek from where I live, my personal go-to snack is usually the red salted salmon onigiri from 7/11, as it’s one of the few onigiri options I can reliably eat across different convenience stores. If that isn’t available, my next choice is the salted rice onigiri, which can generally be found at most stores.

While options may feel limited at first, convenience stores in Japan can still be incredibly helpful for quick meals and snacks once you know what to look for.