Find Some of Tokyo’s Best Food in Vending Machines, 7-11s, and Train Stations

In Tokyo, good eats can be found in the most unexpected places, like the basement of a department store, a 7-11, and even from a vending machine on a train station platform. Price isn’t a barrier either; eating well on a budget is an integral part of Japanese culture. Office workers queue at convenience stores that offer delicious light breakfasts and coffee made from freshly ground beans for only 75 cents a cup. Bento boxes, available everywhere, are artfully packed with a colorful array of ingredients ensuring a nutritious meal. Train stations are filled with fresh and flavorful to-go food options snapped up by travelers catching the bullet train. The following local spots will make your next trip to Japan a richer culinary adventure.

Depachika

Literally meaning the basement of a department store (depaato for department store and chika for basement), depachika sell an astonishing variety of prepared foods under one roof, including freshly baked breads, yakitori chicken skewers, tempura, and colorful salads. Seasonal trays of sashimi and sushi tempt shoppers in the seafood section, while exquisitely packaged cookies, chocolates, or traditional Japanese confectionery appeal as souvenirs. Ginza Six, Tokyo’s newest depachika, has a particularly impressive array of sweets shops (try the fresh fruit covered in delicate mochi) as well as casual spots for sipping sake, whisky, or wine. Daimaru at Tokyo Station specializes in bento as many long-distance trains start their journey here. Tip: Depachika typically don’t have seating, but the same department stores will have rooftop gardens with picnic-style seating to enjoy your food. 

Restaurants at department stores

A restaurant in a mall may not be your usual go-to, but in Tokyo they are some of the best places to eat. Department stores often contain branches of well-known brands, such as the infamous Sukiyabashi Jiro, of the Jiro Dreams of Sushi documentary, which has an outpost at Nihombashi Takashimaya. Soba buckwheat noodles are ground from groats and made by hand at Hakone Akatsukian inside the Ginza Mitsukoshi department store. Marbled wagyu beef is served as sukiyaki or shabu-shabu at Imahan inside Shinjuku Takashimaya. The restaurants are usually on the top floor, but not always, so inquire at the information desk when you visit. 

Convenience stores

Open 24 hours, convenience stores, or konbini, are treasure boxes of food. The late Anthony Bourdain was a big fan of the konbini egg salad sando that has its crusts removed so the soft texture is the same throughout. In addition to sandwiches, be sure to also check out the selection of beer, sake, and snacks like nori-seasoned potato chips. 7-11 is known for its prepared foods including sandwiches and onigiri rice balls with savory fillings like ikura or grilled salmon. Family Mart hot fried chicken is so popular, it has a nickname, Famichiki.

Train stations

Long distance travel on a speeding shinkansen is a civilized experience, especially when sipping on sake and nibbling on a bento with the countryside whizzing past outside the window. Tokyo and Shinagawa Stations, where the shinkansen stops, have alluring ready-to-go foods. Ekibenya Matsuri in Tokyo Station specializes in ekiben (eki for station and ben for bento), hyper-regional bento from throughout Japan. Sake aficionados make time to pick up a small bottle of sake or beer at Hasegawa Saketen, because you’re on vacation, right? The katsu sando at Maisen is a classic. If you’re craving vegetables seek out RF1, which sells salads and vegetable-forward meals. Remember to ask for hashi chopsticks and an oshibori wet towel.

Vending machines

Vending machines have a surprising variety of hot and cold beverages, with up to three dozen drinks in one machine, including coffee and a huge array of tea — sencha green, hōjicha roasted green, mugicha barley, and matcha lattes to name a few. Fun options include energy drinks and amazake — a naturally sweet fermented probiotic drink. You can even purchase hot soups like corn potage with corn kernels and miso soup with clams. Beer, freshly squeezed orange juice, and ice cream are also available for a few coins or a tap of a prepaid train card.