All About Japan

4 Great Buys Only from Lawson

Food & Drink Convenience Stores Lawson

If you're thinking that all combini are created equal in Japan, think again. There are unique must-buys from your neighborhood store that will surprise you. And from uniquely packaged snacks to Ghibli Museum tickets, there are a few things you can get only at Lawson convenience stores!

4. Kara-age Kun Red

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwozqChX6Zc

Anthony Bourdain, host of CNN's travel and food show Parts Unknown, may have traveled extensively around the world sampling different cuisines, but you'd be surprised to know that he and his wife are fans of Lawson's Kara-age Kun Red chicken nuggets. Ottavia Bourdain described them as "one of Japan's greatest delicacies" in a blog post in August 2013. Particularly for the price (five pieces for ¥200 plus tax), they're a great flavor- and protein-packed option when you're in need of a light meal.

3. Machi Café Drip Bag Coffee for Takeout

3. Machi Café Drip Bag Coffee for Takeout

This drip bag coffee from your neighborhood combini may make you reconsider your loyalty to your local barista. Not only is it full in aroma and flavor, but also very convenient to enjoy. Savoring this one is as easy as emptying the contents of the three-in-one packet into a cup—and tastes much better than your typical instant brew. See those paper hangers that snugly cling to the mug? They stay in place even when you pour hot water in all the way. No more cleaning up the coffee machine just makes mornings that much better.

2. 'Kawaii' Limited-Edition Goods

2. 'Kawaii' Limited-Edition Goods

http://www.lawson.co.jp/company/news/detail/1268027_2504.html

Various snack and drink companies like to attract attention with cute, limited-edition packaging—or in this case, with an adorable, limited-edition product.

This is Lawson's second collaboration with Yo-Ho Brewing Company, based in the town of Karuizawa, Nagano. On sale from April 26, 2016, "Boku Beer, Kimi Beer. Yorimichi" is a craft beer designed to evoke the sensation of wanting to stop by on a sunny day (yorimichi means "stopping by") with its aroma of citrus and passion fruit. Boku and kimi are slightly childish ways of saying "me" and "you," respectively. And the frog on the pile of books just makes us exclaim kawaii!

Keep an eye out for cute products like these—they won't be on the shelves for long!

1. Ghibli Museum Tickets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMwC8nYNwhA

If you're a fan of Totoro and the works of Hayao Miyazaki, your stay in Japan would be incomplete without a trip to the Ghibli Museum.

Featuring the works of Studio Ghibli, this museum represents an immersion in arguably the best of Japan's award-winning and internationally-acclaimed anime. The museum is always packed, and tickets aren't sold at the gate, so a trip to Lawson is a must if you want to get in! These are a Lawson exclusive—you can't get them anywhere else!

Not a fan? Well, Lawson also offers other options, like tickets to the Fujiko F. Fujio (Doraemon) Museum and the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park. These are all sold at Lawson's Loppi ticket machines, found in every Lawson store. And if you're worried about navigating the machine, check out our detailed guide here!