Popular Items at Japan’s NewDays Convenience Store

It’s hard to avoid Japan’s convenience stores (or “conbini”), but with so much to offer, you wouldn’t want to miss the experience anyway! Convenience stores are a necessity during any trip to Japan, and one of the most popular brands is NewDays, run by JR East Cross Station. NewDays is known for being located in and around JR train stations, which makes the shops especially popular among travelers, whether they’re aware of the brand or not. If you’ve ever noticed NewDays, though, you’ve probably noticed the convenience store’s unique offerings.

A true conbini connoisseur knows exactly what to look for, so we’ve selected 15 NewDays product recommendations across different categories, from full meals to drinks and snacks. Enjoy the ultimate Japanese convenience store experience with these popular products!

NewDays Recommendations: Onigiri & Bento

^{_{Left: Natto Temaki Sushi / Right: Kishu Nanko-Ume Plum Onigiri}}

① Natto Temaki Sushi

Natto is a traditional Japanese delicacy made of fermented soy beans, and locals consider it a staple health food. The distinctive aroma and sticky texture of the beans can be a challenge for beginners, but for many travelers, it’s still worth a try. Fresh new experiences and interesting new flavors like natto are what make visiting Japan so much fun!

Since natto isn’t all that common in restaurants, it’s most convenient to pick some up from the convenience store – we recommend NewDays’ Natto Temaki Sushi, a hand-roll made with high-quality Hokkaido soybeans. The rich, nutty Hokkaido soybeans help to make the strong natto flavor a little bit more accessible, even for first-timers, and the compact size makes it easy to eat on the go. It’s an easy way to experience natto’s unique flavor.

② Kishu Nanko-Ume Plum Onigiri

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Ready for another distinctive flavor that’s unique to Japan? Don’t miss the chance to try an onigiri (rice ball) stuffed with umeboshi – Japanese pickled plum – which is a true staple of Japanese lunchboxes and other homecooking.

At NewDays you’ll find the Kishu Nanko-Ume Plum Onigiri, made with premium ume plum from the Kishu region of Wakayama Prefecture, an area famous for plum production. The tender fruit and its sweet-sour-salty flavor create a delightful balance with the surrounding white rice, making this onigiri a tasty snack or light lunch. Onigiri are also conveniently compact, so you can throw one in your bag and have a unique culinary experience waiting for you whenever you’re hungry!

^{_{Left: Irodori Yasai no Nigiwai Bento / Right: Nishoku Soboro & Chicken Teriyaki Bento}}

③ Irodori Yasai no Nigiwai Chicken, Egg, and Vegetable Bento

Japanese convenience stores are famous for offering real food, and when you’re looking for a real meal that’s both convenient and nutritious, this bento is for you! Packed with colorful vegetables, the “Irodori Yasai no Nigiwai” Bento is both visually appealing and appetizing. From crunchy lotus root to silky soft pumpkin and sweet potato, and even chewy mushrooms. If you feel like you haven’t been eating enough vegetables while traveling, this bento is a great choice! It’s low on fried foods and heavy on flavorful simmered vegetables, not to mention the succulent chicken, making it perfect when you’re body’s screaming for something light and nutritious.

④ Nishoku Soboro (Chicken/Egg) & Chicken Teriyaki Bento

Looking for a filling, protein-packed bento? Then the “Nishoku Soboro” & Chicken Teriyaki Bento is the way to go. This Japanese-style rice bowl is topped with finely scrambled egg and flavorful ground chicken, prepared in the soboro (そぼろ) style in a sweet and savory sauce. For extra flavor (and additional protein), the bento includes juicy chunks of teriyaki chicken, creating a bento filled with flavors of Japanese home-cooking. Ask the staff to heat it up, and you’ll have yourself a warm meal with plenty of protein to keep you satisfied during your adventures in Japan!

NewDays Recommendations: Desserts

⑤ Suica Penguin Marumocchi (Custard Cream Bun)

The dessert sections at Japanese convenience stores are no joke, with something to satisfy just about any sweet tooth, and NewDays offers a unique selection.

If you’ve taken the train in Tokyo, then you’ve probably seen the cute penguin mascot for the Suica card – one of Japan’s major transportation cards. The Suica Penguin is so cute it has its own fanbase, and at NewDays, everyone who’s ever said “he’s so cute I could just eat him up” can finally get their wish. The Suica Penguin Marumocchi bun comes in cute packaging featuring the iconic mascot, and the dessert itself is inspired by traditional imagawa-yaki (今川焼) desserts – a little like a thick, filled pancake. These ones come stamped with the penguin’s face, and stuffed with custard cream made from high-quality Hokkaido milk.

^{_{Left: Chocolate Banana Crepe / Right: No-Bake Cheese Blueberry Crepe}}

⑥ & ⑦ Chocolate Banana Crepe & No-Bake Cheese Blueberry Crepe

Crepes might be a French creation, but the cute crepe shops of Harajuku have made them a Japanese specialty – one that you can easily pick up at NewDays for a great price. Their Chocolate Banana Crepe features a simple pairing of rich chocolate cream and slices of ripe banana, while the No-Bake Cheese Blueberry Crepe combines the depth of a no-bake cheesecake filling with the refreshingly tart flavor of blueberries, for a more refined flavor profile. Pick your favorite or try both for a convenience store dessert break!

NewDays Recommendations: Heated Snacks

^{_{Left: Spicy NewChiki / Right: “Tsukune” Chicken Meatball Skewers
*Please refrain from taking photos inside NewDays; these photos were taken with special permission.}}

⑧ Spicy NewChiki Fried Chicken

Next up we’re looking at NewDays’ heated snacks, which can be found lined up inside warming cases next to the cash registers. This might resemble your standard convenience store hot dog machine, but the contents are way more exciting. If you’re not sure what to pick out, we recommend their Spicy “NewChiki” Fried Chicken, seasoned with an addictive kick. Take a bite and sink your teeth into a juicy hunk of chicken coated in a thin layer of crispy batter – perfect for when you need a quick but substantial bite to eat. Both the standard NewChiki and the spicy variety are also great when paired with an onigiri or a bento box for more of a full meal!

⑨ Tsukune Chicken Meatball Skewers

In Japan, yakitori grilled chicken skewers are most often enjoyed at an izakaya, but NewDays offers the experience on the go with their “Tsukune” Chicken Meatball Skewers! These meatballs actually include small bits of cartilage called “nankotsu” for a satisfying crunch, and each skewer is doused in a savory-sweet soy-based sauce to enhance the umami flavor. You can even bring a few skewers back to the hotel to create the izakaya experience while relaxing in your room!

NewDays Recommendations: Drinks

⑩ EKI na CAFE Royal Milk Tea

Ready to find the perfect drink to wash all these snacks down? Well, if you like your tea with milk and sugar, then you’ll love the EKI na CAFE Royal Milk Tea! Made with the famously luxurious cream produced in Toyotomi and fragrant Assam tea, this milk tea is rich and creamy, with a deep and satisfying flavor. It pairs well with food, but it also makes a great pick-me-up during your travels.

⑪ Hot Cafe Latte

Can’t go without caffeine during your trip? You can get your daily cup of joe from the NewDays coffee corner – their Regular Hot Cafe Latte is a well-balanced blend of espresso and foamy milk. It’s convenient and affordable, and ready to go in no time – great for travelers on the move.

NewDays Recommendations: Seafood Snacks

^{_{Left: Cheese-Tara / Right: Squid Cartilage}}

⑫ Squid Cartilage

Never paired squid with a cold beer before? You’ve been missing out – you’ll want to pick up this popular snack when you’re looking for drinks and snacks to bring back to the hotel room in the evening. Squid cartilage (ika nankotsu/イカ軟骨) has a chewy, crunchy texture and a salty flavor packed with umami!

⑬ Cheese-Tara

If you’re not quite ready to try squid with your beer, Cheese-Tara is another great option. These addictive snacks feature a layer of cheese sandwiched between two super-thin layers of dried cod, and the savory flavor goes perfectly with a cold drink.

NewDays Recommendations: Baked Goods

⑭ SakuFuwa Melon Bread (Made with Domestic Wheat)

NewDays offers affordable baked goods made with high-quality ingredients, and one of our favorites is the SakuFuwa Melon Bread. Japan’s beloved melon bread (sometimes “melonpan”) doesn’t actually taste like melons, but the simple, sweet bread is a beloved staple at bakeries all over the country. If you can’t quite fit any famous bakeries into your itinerary, the NewDays version is plenty tempting thanks to the sweet, crunchy crust and fluffy insides. It’s convenient, affordable, and popular with travelers of all ages, making it a great option for a quick breakfast or afternoon snack!

⑮ Saucy Yakisoba Noodle Bread

Ever found yourself wondering what exactly all the high-schoolers in anime are eating when it looks like their sandwich is stuffed with pasta? Yakisoba bread is a real piece of carb-on-carb heaven – the kind that only Japan could dream up – which is why you should absolutely copy your favorite anime characters and give it a try during your trip. The soft roll of NewDays’ yakisoba bread is stuffed with chewy, sauce-coated noodles. Grab one for a light lunch, or a snack, and see what the fuss is all about.

Try the Quick & Easy Self-Checkout

The wide variety of convenient products might be the best part about going to NewDays, but we also love the simple self-checkout system. The self-checkout registers help cut down on long lines so that customers can quickly be on their way, and they’re also a lifesaver for anyone who feels a little anxious about talking to staff in Japanese.

The screens offer a variety of language options (English, Chinese, and Korean alongside the standard Japanese), so there’s no language barrier! You can pay with major credit cards like Visa and Mastercard, or use one the Japanese transportation passes that also work as charge cards, like the Suica card, for a quick and easy checkout.

Get Your Japanese Convenience Store Favorites at NewDays, On the Way to (or From) the Train!

If you’ve never been to a Japanese convenience store before, prepare to be amazed. NewDays sells all kinds of conveniences and tasty treats at their locations in and around JR Stations (often right near the ticket gates), and these 15 items are just a few of our favorites! On your next trip to Japan, don’t forget to check out all the unique options while you’re at the train station!

Find out more about Japanese convenience stores here, or check out the full NewDays lineup before you shop at the official NewDays website.

For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don’t forget to follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook!

^{_{ⒸChiharu Sakazaki/JR東日本/DENTSU}}

^{_{*The information in this article regarding NewDays products, prices, and ingredients is accurate as of February 2025, but may be subject to change.}}