Japan essential
Cheap coffee in Japan: conbini is your best bet
Skip the coffee shop — conbini coffee is just as good for a fraction of the price.
Published
Convenience stores — or conbini (コンビニ) — serve freshly brewed coffee for 100 to 150 yen a cup. The quality is genuinely on a par with mid-range coffee chains like Beck's Coffee, Doutor or Tully's, where the same drink would cost you 300 to 400 yen. It's usually self-service with a to-go cup, quick and no-fuss.
The main chains to look for are Seven Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart and Newdays — you'll find at least one in virtually every town and train station in the country. My personal favourite is Lawson's own brand, Machi Cafe.
Conbini coffee won't replace a proper café experience, but as an everyday option it's hard to beat.
