A konbini job in Japan pays roughly ¥1,050 to ¥1,300 per hour depending on the city, the chain, and whether you work nights. For a foreign student capped at 28 hours per week, that translates to about ¥120,000 to ¥135,000 per month before taxes.
But the chain you pick changes your daily experience far more than it changes your paycheck. The gap between a stressful 7-Eleven near Shinjuku Station and a quiet Lawson in a residential Osaka neighborhood is massive, even when both pay the same hourly rate.
This comparison is for the international student or working-holiday visa holder who has already decided on konbini work and now needs to figure out which chain to target.
How Much Do Konbini Jobs Pay in 2026?
Konbini hourly wages in Japan range from about ¥1,050 to ¥1,300 for day shifts, with night shifts pushing to ¥1,390 or higher in Tokyo.
Tokyo's minimum wage sits at ¥1,113 per hour as of 2026, and convenience stores in Tokyo's 23 wards have a minimum of ¥1,300 starting June 2026.
Outside Tokyo, wages drop. A FamilyMart in Kyoto lists ¥1,130 to ¥1,413, while one in Fukuoka starts at ¥1,057. The chain name on the building matters less than the prefecture you work in.
Night Shift Premium: Where the Real Money Is
Night shifts (10 PM to 6 AM) carry a legally mandated 25% premium over the base hourly rate. A ¥1,113 base becomes roughly ¥1,390 after dark. A konbini night shift in Tokyo pays about ¥1,390 per hour.
I think the night shift premium at konbini is underrated for students at Japanese language schools, where classes typically run mornings only.
A student working five night shifts per week at ¥1,390 would hit the 28-hour cap and earn around ¥155,000 monthly, compared to ¥125,000 on day shifts at ¥1,113.
The 28-Hour Cap Changes Everything
Student visa holders in Japan can work a maximum of 28 hours per week during the academic term, with the limit rising to 8 hours per day during official school breaks.
The hour limits are not guidelines. Immigration authorities cross-check MyNumber payroll data, and from April 2026, language schools also periodically check students' working hours.
Penalties for exceeding the cap include visa renewal denial and fines up to ¥2 million.
7-Eleven, FamilyMart, or Lawson: Which Store Fits You?
7-Eleven is Japan's largest konbini chain with over 21,000 locations, followed by FamilyMart with more than 16,000 and Lawson with roughly 14,000. All three hire foreigners. The difference is pace, training style, and customer mix.
7-Eleven: Fast, Strict, and Everywhere
7-Eleven branches tend to run the tightest operations. Training manuals are detailed. Managers expect speed on the register and quick turnover on food displays.
The upside is predictability. Procedures are standardized across stores, so what you learn at one 7-Eleven transfers to another.
7-Eleven's ATMs are the most foreigner-friendly, accepting international Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay cards. Tourists gravitate toward these stores. So if you work near a station or tourist area, expect frequent English interactions alongside Japanese ones.
FamilyMart: More Relaxed Training, More Teamwork
FamilyMart stores generally have a slightly looser rhythm than 7-Eleven. Staff relationships tend to lean collaborative, and managers at smaller branches are more likely to walk you through tasks hands-on rather than pointing at a manual.
For a foreigner still building conversational Japanese, this can be a real advantage. Mistakes get corrected with less pressure.
The trade-off is that some FamilyMart locations are less structured, so your experience depends heavily on whoever manages your specific branch.
Lawson: Quieter Stores, Product-Heavy Work
Lawson has carved out a niche around premium and health-focused product lines, including its Natural Lawson sub-brand. Shifts in residential neighborhoods tend to be calmer than comparable 7-Eleven or FamilyMart locations.
The catch: Lawson customers sometimes expect staff to know product details, especially around the specialty desserts and seasonal items the chain is known for.
If you enjoy learning product lines and prefer a slower, steadier shift over high-volume register work, Lawson branches outside major transit hubs can be a good fit.
Side-by-Side: 7-Eleven vs FamilyMart vs Lawson for Foreign Workers
Each chain has a different feel, and the table below breaks it down by the factors that matter when you are choosing where to apply:
| Factor | 7-Eleven | FamilyMart | Lawson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store count (Japan) | ~21,000 | ~16,000 | ~14,000 |
| Hourly pay (Tokyo, day) | ¥1,100 to ¥1,300 | ¥1,050 to ¥1,200 | ¥1,050 to ¥1,200 |
| Training style | Strict, manual-driven | Hands-on, team-based | Moderate, product-focused |
| Pace | Fast, high volume | Medium | Slower in residential areas |
| Tourist interaction | High (urban stores) | Moderate | Lower |
| Japanese level needed | Conversational+ | Conversational | Conversational (product vocabulary helps) |
7-Eleven edges out on pay in busy urban stores, but FamilyMart and Lawson close the gap at night and outside Tokyo.
What You Need to Get Hired at a Konbini
A foreign national needs a valid residence card (在留カード / Zairyu Card) and the "Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted" stamp on their passport.
Even one hour of paid work before the sticker is in your passport is illegal, and immigration can revoke your visa and ban re-entry for 1 to 5 years.
Most konbini expect at least conversational Japanese, roughly JLPT N3 level. Stores near major train stations in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto sometimes hire with lower Japanese ability because tourist foot traffic is high.
A few things to bring to your konbini interview:
- Your Zairyu Card (residence card) with the work permission stamp
- Proof of student enrollment if applying under a student visa
- A bank account number (wages are paid by direct deposit, not cash)
- Your MyNumber card or notification, since payroll reporting requires it
Do You Need Prior Experience?
No. Konbini chains train from scratch. Cash handling, food prep, shelf stocking, and package reception are all taught on the job. But if your resume includes any food service or retail work, list it. Store managers process dozens of applications, and relevant experience helps yours stand out.
The Advice I Disagree With
I would push back on the idea that 7-Eleven is automatically the best konbini job because it has the most stores and the highest brand recognition. The 21,000-store count means more openings, sure.
But it also means more competition for shifts, faster-paced locations, and stricter management standards that can make the first month miserable for someone whose Japanese is still at N4 level.
I think a foreigner with intermediate Japanese is better off targeting a FamilyMart or Lawson in a residential neighborhood where the pace is manageable and the manager has time to coach.
You will learn more Japanese in a store where staff talk to you than in one where everyone is too busy to explain anything twice.
One Thing Worth Thinking About: The "Konbini Career Ladder" Is Short
Full-time konbini store managers earn annual salaries around ¥4 million (approximately $27,000 USD). That sounds like career progression, but the path from part-time arubaito to store manager takes years and typically requires permanent residency or a qualifying work visa.
For most foreign students, konbini work is a stepping stone, not a destination. About 30% of working international students in Japan hold konbini jobs.
The value is steady income, Japanese language practice in a real-world setting, and a structured introduction to Japanese workplace culture.
Do not expect promotion to shift leader within six months. Expect to leave with stronger Japanese and a much better understanding of how Japanese service standards work.
Questions People Ask About Konbini Jobs for Foreigners
If you are still deciding between chains, these answers cover a few loose ends.
- Q: Can I work at two different konbini at the same time?
Yes, but every hour across both jobs counts toward your 28-hour weekly cap. Immigration tracks combined hours through MyNumber payroll data, so splitting shifts between a 7-Eleven and a Lawson does not buy you extra hours. - Q: Do konbini provide uniforms?
All three chains provide uniforms at no cost. Some stores also supply a name tag with your name written in katakana, which is a nice perk for practicing how your name reads in Japanese. - Q: Is it easier to get hired at one chain over the others?
7-Eleven has the most locations, so it has the most openings at any given time. But FamilyMart and Lawson stores in areas with large foreign populations tend to be more open to hiring people with limited Japanese. Geography matters more than the brand. - Q: What happens during school breaks?
Your weekly hour limit jumps to 40 hours (or 8 hours per day). Some students switch to near-full-time konbini shifts during summer and winter breaks to save up. Night shifts during breaks can push monthly earnings above ¥200,000. - Q: Are there konbini jobs that do not require Japanese?
A few stores in heavily touristed areas hire with minimal Japanese, but these are rare. Even basic register prompts (membership card, bag needed, receipt) require set phrases. Expect to memorize at least 20 to 30 standard Japanese expressions in your first week regardless of the chain.
Conclusion
The best konbini chain for you depends on your Japanese level, your neighborhood, and how much pace you can handle. 7-Eleven pays slightly more in urban Tokyo but demands speed and consistency from day one.
FamilyMart and Lawson trade a small pay gap for a calmer learning curve that may serve a newer Japanese speaker better.
Pick the store that lets you last six months, not the one that looks best on paper. You can always visit 7-Eleven Japan's job page or the FamilyMart recruitment portal to check current openings near your school or apartment.