01
ホットコーヒーをお願いします。
Hotto kōhī o onegaishimasu.
"I'd like a hot coffee, please."
Grammar: Polite request pattern with を + onegaishimasu
Shopping & Daily Life
How to Order Coffee & Onigiri at Japanese Convenience Stores
Learn how to order coffee and pick out onigiri at a Japanese convenience store (konbini). These phrases cover what staff really ask, how to reply politely, and the small cultural details—like bag fees or hot vs. iced coffee—that every traveler runs into.
Japanese Convenience Store Shopping Context
You're at a Japanese convenience store (konbini) like 7-Eleven or FamilyMart, wanting to order hot coffee and an onigiri for a quick meal or snack
Essential Japanese Phrases for Convenience Store Orders
02
アイスコーヒーはありますか？
Aisu kōhī wa arimasu ka?
"Do you have iced coffee?"
Grammar: Availability inquiry using は + arimasu ka pattern
03
コーヒーはSサイズですか、Lサイズですか？
Kōhī wa esu saizu desu ka, eru saizu desu ka?
"Small or large coffee?"
Grammar: Choice question with size options (S/L commonly used in-store)
04
このおにぎりをお願いします。
Kono onigiri o onegaishimasu.
"I'd like this onigiri, please."
Grammar: Demonstrative 'kono' + object selection
05
温かいのと冷たいの、どちらがいいですか？
Atatakai no to tsumetai no, dochira ga ii desu ka?
"Would you like it hot or cold?"
Grammar: Either/or choice question using dochira pattern
06
お会計は400円です。
O-kaikei wa yonhyaku en desu.
"Your total is 400 yen."
Grammar: Formal transaction language with number + currency
07
PayPayで支払えますか？
PayPay de shiharaemasu ka?
"Can I pay with PayPay?"
Grammar: Payment method inquiry using で + potential form
08
袋は必要ですか？
Fukuro wa hitsuyō desu ka?
"Do you need a bag?"
Grammar: Necessity question using は + hitsuyō desu ka
09
温めますか？
Atatamemasu ka?
"Shall I heat it up?"
Grammar: Service-offer question you'll hear at the register
10
砂糖・ミルクは要りますか？
Satō・miruku wa irimasu ka?
"Do you need sugar or milk?"
Grammar: Need/require pattern with ～は要りますか
Understanding Japanese Konbini Culture and Etiquette
Japanese convenience stores (konbini) are cultural institutions offering fresh, high-quality food 24/7. The coffee is surprisingly good and often rivals major chains at a fraction of the price.
Onigiri selection varies by store and time of day. Popular flavors include salmon (sake), tuna mayo (ツナマヨ), and pickled plum (umeboshi). Late morning typically has fresh restocks, while commuter rushes sell out popular items quickly.
Staff will often confirm hot or iced for coffee, even if it seems obvious. This attention to preference is part of Japanese omotenashi (hospitality).
Digital payments like PayPay, LINE Pay, and IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) are widely accepted. Many customers prefer cashless payment for speed.
Since Japan's 2020 plastic bag charge, staff must ask about bags. Most people carry eco-bags to avoid the small fee.
Key Japanese Grammar Patterns for Convenience Store Shopping
[item]をお願いしますpolite
Standard polite request pattern using 'onegaishimasu' for ordering items
Essential phrase for ordering anything in service situations
[item]はありますか？polite
Polite inquiry pattern using 'arimasu ka' to ask about availability
Asking if something is available or in stock
[A]と[B]、どちらがいいですか？polite
Choice question pattern using 'dochira ga ii desu ka' for either/or questions
When staff asks you to choose between two options
[payment method]で支払えますか？polite
Payment inquiry using 'de shiharaemasu ka' to ask about payment methods
Confirming accepted payment options
温めてもらえますか？polite
Polite request 'Could you heat this up for me?' using ～てもらえますか
When asking staff to microwave food
Must-Know Japanese Convenience Store Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| コンビニ | konbini | convenience store | Places |
| コンビニエンスストア | konbiniensu sutoa | convenience store (formal) | Places |
| 温かい | atatakai | warm/hot | Temperature |
| 冷たい | tsumetai | cold | Temperature |
| Sサイズ | esu saizu | S size (small) | Sizes |
| Lサイズ | eru saizu | L size (large) | Sizes |
| 小サイズ | shō saizu | small size | Sizes |
| 大サイズ | dai saizu | large size | Sizes |
| 会計 | kaikei | bill/payment | Checkout |
| 領収書 | ryōshūsho | receipt | Checkout |
| 袋 | fukuro | bag | Checkout |
| レジ袋 | rejibukuro | plastic bag (at checkout) | Checkout |
| 必要 | hitsuyō | necessary | Checkout |
| 支払い | shiharai | payment | Payment |
| 現金 | genkin | cash | Payment |
| カード | kādo | card | Payment |
| 電子マネー | denshi manē | e-money (IC/QR) | Payment |
| ホットコーヒー | hotto kōhī | hot coffee | Food & Drink |
| アイスコーヒー | aisu kōhī | iced coffee | Food & Drink |
| おにぎり | onigiri | rice ball | Food & Drink |
| イートイン | ītoin | eat-in | Service |
| テイクアウト | teikuauto | takeout | Service |
| 砂糖 | satō | sugar | Service |
| ミルク | miruku | milk | Service |
Practical Tips for Japanese Convenience Store Shopping
Tip
Best Times for Fresh Selection
Many stores restock through the morning; late morning often has a strong selection. Commuter rushes (7-9 AM, 12-1 PM) can sell out popular items quickly.
Watch Out
Don't Skip the Politeness Level
Saying 'kōhī kudasai' can sound abrupt. '...をお<ruby>願<rt>ねが</rt></ruby>いします' is the expected level of politeness in stores.
Example:コーヒーください → ホットコーヒーをお願いします
Cultural
The Bag Question Is Mandatory
Because of the bag fee law, staff will ask about bags. Be ready with: 'はい、お<ruby>願<rt>ねが</rt></ruby>いします' (yes, please) or 'いいえ、けっこうです' (no, thanks).
Watch Out
Specify Hot vs Cold Coffee
Konbini sell both hot and iced coffee year-round. Say 'ホットコーヒー' or 'アイスコーヒー' clearly to avoid confusion.
Example:Hot? → ホットコーヒーをお願いします／Iced? → アイスコーヒーをお願いします
Tip
Have Payment Ready
Have your PayPay/IC card open and ready before the total. Cashless payments are fast and preferred by most customers.
Cultural
Staff Confirmations Are Normal Service
Even after you order, staff may confirm temperature, size, or bag needs. It's thorough Japanese customer service, not questioning your request.