Convenience · Practical guide

FamilyMart Japan Guide for Tourists: How to Order Famichiki, Self-Checkout & Tax-Free Tips

Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.

Quick Facts

Feature Details
CategoryConvenience Store / Retail (FamilyMart Official Website)
Store CountApproximately 16,300 stores across all 47 prefectures (Store Locator)
Ordering StyleBring shelf items in a basket to a staffed register or self-checkout terminal; order counter hot snacks like Famichiki verbally at a staffed register
Membership Required?No membership or ID required for general shopping
Approximate Price RangeFamichiki around ¥230, rice balls (omusubi) around ¥130–¥200, Famima Café starting around ¥120 (tax-included approximate prices, as of September 13, 2026)
Payment MethodsVaries by store; generally accepts cash (staffed registers), credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners, UnionPay), transit IC cards, e-money (iD, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy, WAON), and QR/barcode apps (FamiPay, PayPay, d-barai, Rakuten Pay, au PAY, Alipay, WeChat Pay)
Multilingual SupportVaries by store; official visitor site, self-checkout screens, and in-store E-net ATMs support English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean
A FamilyMart store in Japan
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

What it is

FamilyMart, operated by FamilyMart Co., Ltd. (an ITOCHU Group company), is one of Japan's "Big Three" convenience store chains with roughly 16,300 stores across all 47 prefectures. Famous for its boneless fried chicken (Famichiki), Famima Café drinks, and its in-house Convenience Wear clothing line (such as striped socks and travel basics), it offers 24-hour convenience for travelers. Locations commonly feature international-card-compatible E-net ATMs and multi-copy machines, while select stores in tourist districts and airports provide tax-free shopping (Official Tax-Free Guide). With no membership needed and multilingual self-checkout and ATM screens, it is an easy everyday stop across Japan.

How to order

Shopping at FamilyMart differs slightly depending on whether you want hot counter food or are paying with cash versus cashless methods:

  1. Collect packaged items in a basket: Pick up rice balls (omusubi, around ¥130–¥200 as of September 13, 2026), drinks, snacks, or Convenience Wear essentials from the aisles.
  2. Choose the right register (Staffed vs. Self-Checkout):
    • Go to a staffed register if you are paying with cash or ordering hot counter snacks like Famichiki (around ¥230 tax-included as of September 13, 2026). Most FamilyMart self-checkout machines are strictly cashless-only and cannot accept bills or coins.
    • Use a self-checkout terminal if you are only buying barcoded shelf items and paying by credit card, transit IC card, e-money, or QR code payment. You can switch the self-checkout screen to English, Chinese, or Korean.
  3. Order Famichiki or Famima Café at the staffed counter: Ask the cashier verbally for Famichiki or hot snacks from the display case next to the register.
  4. Declare Eat-In before payment: If the store has an eat-in seating area and you plan to eat or drink inside, inform the staff (or select the eat-in option) before paying so the 10% consumption tax rate is applied instead of the 8% takeout rate.
  5. Scan and pay: Pay using your preferred method and collect your receipt.

What to order first

All items below are verified on the FamilyMart Official Website, the Official Hot Snacks & Delicatessen Page, and row reference data (regional availability varies by store):

Payment & practical info

Tax-free — refund method (checked 2026-11-02): FamilyMart's official tax-free page now describes the refund method: pay tax-included, scan the receipt QR code to register your refund method, and receive the refund after customs confirmation at departure (before security/baggage check-in, within 90 days). The ~15-minute in-store procedure figure survives on the updated page. Source: FamilyMart Official Tax-Free Guide.

Payment acceptance and store facilities vary by individual location, so verify signage at the store or via the Official Store Locator:

Good to know / Common mistakes

FAQ

Q1: How much is Famichiki and coffee at FamilyMart? As of September 13, 2026, Famichiki costs around ¥230, rice balls (omusubi) are around ¥130–¥200, and Famima Café drinks start around ¥120 (all approximate tax-included prices).

Q2: Can I pay with cash at FamilyMart's self-checkout machines? In most stores, no. The majority of FamilyMart self-checkout terminals are cashless-only (accepting credit cards, transit IC cards, e-money, and QR apps). If you want to pay with cash—or order hot counter foods like Famichiki—join the line for a staffed register.

Q3: Can I use my Visit Japan Web QR code for tax-free shopping at FamilyMart? No. According to FamilyMart's Official Tax-Free FAQ, Visit Japan Web QR codes are not accepted. You must present your physical passport showing a valid entry stamp and have been in Japan for less than 6 months under an eligible short-stay status.

Sources