How to buy coffee at a Japanese convenience store (hot and iced)
Buy the cup first at the register, then make the coffee yourself at the machine. For iced coffee, take a cup of ice from the freezer. Lawson is different: staff may make it for you.
The basic steps
At 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, you pay first and make the coffee yourself.
- Take an empty cup (for hot coffee) or a cup full of ice (for iced coffee). Ice cups are kept in a freezer or an icebox in the store.
- Bring the cup to the register and pay. The cup is sealed with a lid or film.
- Take off the lid, then put the cup in the coffee machine.
- Press the button for the drink and size you bought. Some machines detect the cup by themselves.
- Take the cup when the machine stops. Milk and sugar are usually on a shelf nearby. Put on the lid.
Lawson works differently
Lawson's coffee (Machi Cafe) is often a service format. You order at the register and the clerk makes it, or tells you to use the machine. If you are not sure, ask "Coffee, please" and point to the cup.
Common mistakes
- Do not put a hot cup and an ice cup in the wrong machine button. Choose the same drink and size as the cup you bought.
- Do not open the cup before paying.
- Machines may be in Japanese. Some stores, such as 7-Eleven, also show English.
Please note
Machines, menus and prices differ by chain and by shop, and they change. Treat this page as a general guide, and follow the signs near the machine.
Many convenience stores have a trash bin for the cups and lids. Drink near the store, then throw them away there.
FAQ
Do I pay before I make the coffee?
Yes, at most stores. Buy the cup at the register first, then use the machine.
Where do I get the ice?
In a cup of ice from the freezer or icebox in the store. Take it to the register with you.
Can I add milk and sugar?
Yes. They are usually on a shelf near the coffee machine.
Sources
Related tips
- Business hours in Japan: when shops, offices and temples are openCity shops are usually open from about 10:00 to 20:00 every day, offices close on weekends, and convenience stores never close. Plan around three busy holiday periods: New Year, Golden Week and Obon.
- Do you need cash in Japan? Cards, IC cards and yenCards of international brands are generally accepted across Japan, but not everywhere. Carry a card, a Suica or PASMO IC card and a little yen.
- Where to throw away trash in Japan (there are few street bins)Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Carry a small bag, use the bins at stations and convenience stores, and take your trash home if you cannot find one.
- Eating while walking in Japan: when it is okayIt is not illegal, but many people think it is bad manners. It is accepted at festivals and street-food areas. Eat in front of the shop that sold it, and take your trash with you.
Last checked: 2026-11-01. Rules and prices can change, so please confirm with the official sources above.