Making a living in Japan might seem difficult as wages tend to be quite low, but not when you factor in how cheap it is to eat at 7-Eleven!
Delicious Bento Box (3.50 USD)
It’s no secret that Japan’s 7-Eleven stores are stacked with cheap ready-to-eat meals, but how cheap are we talking?
Well, the picture to the left is a bento box featuring steamed rice with seasoning, grilled teriyaki chicken, and a handful of spaghetti for just 500 yen (3.50 USD).
The store person will offer to heat up your meal for you and, depending on the 7-Eleven branch, you may be able to eat in-store too!
Instant Noodle Varieties (1.35 USD)
For a big appetite, I recommend topping up your meal with one of the many instant noodles varieties to help you hit that hunger pang!
My personal favorite is the kitsune udon or “tofu noodle” option which features a huge piece of sweet fried tofu atop a generous helping of udon noodles and savory soup.
At just 200 yen (1.35 USD), it’s an absolute bargain of a buy that leaves both your stomach and your bank account satisfied.
Conveniently, you can access hot water at the 7-Eleven store and enjoy your instant noodles on the spot!
Cafe-Quality Drink (1.75 USD)
After those savory delights, you may yearn for something a little sweet.
When in Japan, do as the Japanese do! So, why not go for a delicious iced matcha latte (courtesy of Starbucks Japan) and wash down your meal in style?
There are plenty of similar drinks like this including coffees, milk teas, fruit smoothies, yogurt drinks, and more!
For just 250 yen (1.75 USD), you get to enjoy the quality of a cafe-brewed beverage without the long wait times!
Milk Pudding (1.75 USD)
Perhaps your sweet tooth isn’t quite satisfied with a drink alone, after all, we all deserve a little dessert from time to time.
Fortunately, Japan’s 7-Eleven stores are notorious for their wide selection of gourmet desserts including pudding, jelly, ice cream, and more!
My personal favorite is their milk pudding variety available for just 250 yen (1.75 USD), offering the smoothest, creamiest texture of any dessert I’ve ever tasted!
Healthy Vitamin Drink (0.75 USD)
That leaves us with under 300 yen (2 USD) to spare, so I’d recommend ending things on a healthy note by trying out a drink or jelly from the vitamin section.
Every 7-Eleven store in Japan has a special fridge stocked with healthy alternative drinks such as vitamin C shots, probiotic drinks, and electrolyte jellies among others.
I recommend the “Oronamin C” drink which is essentially a fizzy, orange-flavored beverage packed with vitamin C concentrate to give your mind and body a good kick!
Each of these items is typically around the 100–200 yen (0.75-1.50 USD) range, so you could really grab two of these drinks if you so please.
Total: 9.10 USD!
And there you have it! For the measly price of 9 dollars and 10 cents, you can enjoy a filling meal, delicious drinks, and even some dessert at Japan’s 7-Eleven stores!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!