Japan Food Series: FamilyMart Convenience Store Finds in Sapporo

Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa

Introduction

This post is part of my Japan Food Series, which is a little different from my usual Ottawa restaurant reviews. Instead of focusing on sit-down meals, I wanted to share some of the everyday foods I came across that made the experience of travelling through Japan even more fun.

FamilyMart is one of the most iconic convenience store chains in Japan, alongside Lawson and 7-Eleven. These stores, often called konbini, are everywhere—you’ll find them on busy city corners, tucked away near train stations, and even in quiet neighbourhoods. What makes them special isn’t just the sheer variety of food and drink available, but also the quality. It’s remarkable to walk into what looks like a regular convenience store and come out with items that taste freshly prepared, unique, and worth remembering.

In Ottawa, convenience stores tend to focus on basic packaged snacks or coffee that’s been sitting in a pot for hours. It’s purely about function—getting something quick, not necessarily something enjoyable. In contrast, FamilyMart in Japan feels like a food destination of its own. During my trip to Sapporo, I made it a point to visit FamilyMart several times and try out a selection of their snacks, drinks, and quick meals.

Coffee – Suntory Family’s Boss – The Espresso

Japan’s canned coffee culture is something you quickly notice when you visit. Every konbini cooler is lined with cans and bottles of different styles, from bold black coffee to creamy lattes. The Espresso version from Suntory’s Family’s Boss line was one of my favourites at FamilyMart. It had the strong, roasted flavour you’d expect from an espresso, but with a smoother and slightly creamy texture that kept it from being harsh. It was convenient, energizing, and far more enjoyable than most grab-and-go coffees I’ve had back home.

Buy again? Yes.

Café Latte

This was a simple but reliable option. It tasted exactly like you’d expect a café latte to taste—smooth, milky, and easy to drink. Nothing about it was unique, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes all you want is something familiar and comforting, and FamilyMart’s latte delivered on that front. Having this chilled and ready to grab made mornings in Sapporo that much easier.

Buy again? Yes.

Onigiri – Salmon & Seaweed

Onigiri are one of the staples of Japanese convenience stores, and I quickly learned why. They’re inexpensive, filling, and surprisingly satisfying for how simple they are. The salmon and seaweed version from FamilyMart was quite good. The rice itself was soft and well-seasoned, with the nori adding that familiar salty crunch. I did find myself wishing for a bit more salmon inside—the filling leaned on the lighter side—but overall it was still an enjoyable way to start the day. It’s the kind of snack you could eat regularly and never get tired of.

Buy again? Yes.

Chocolate Mochi Bread

The texture here was the highlight. It was incredibly soft, pillowy, and chewy in just the right way, giving it that mochi-like quality that stood out from any bread I’ve had in Ottawa. Unfortunately, the chocolate flavour was subtle to the point of being underwhelming. It wasn’t bad, but it felt like the bread was carrying the experience more than the taste itself. I’d recommend this for the novelty of the texture alone, though it wouldn’t be my first choice if I was craving chocolate.

Buy again? Yes.

Milk Waffles

This one was a bit of a disappointment. The idea sounded fantastic—light waffles with a slightly crisp edge and soft, fluffy interior. What I actually got was something that leaned too soft throughout, without any contrast in texture. The flavour wasn’t bad, but it was muted, and the whole snack ended up feeling forgettable. Considering how many good options FamilyMart has, I wouldn’t put this high on the list.

Buy again? No.

Calbee Chips – Pizza Flavour

Calbee is a household name in Japan, and they’re known for pushing out all kinds of creative chip flavours. The pizza version was bold and fun, with notes of tomato, cheese, and herbs that really did capture that pizza profile. The chips were crisp and light, making them easy to snack on without feeling too heavy. While it’s not a flavour I’d reach for every time, it was definitely enjoyable and very different from what you’d typically find on shelves in Canada.

Buy again? Yes.

Chocolate Peanuts

Sometimes it’s nice to keep things simple. FamilyMart’s chocolate peanuts were exactly what I expected: crunchy roasted peanuts coated in a layer of chocolate. They weren’t particularly different from the Lawson version I had earlier, and I honestly couldn’t tell the difference between the two. That said, they were tasty, dependable, and a nice sweet-and-salty snack. Sometimes you don’t need innovation—just a classic combination done right.

Buy again? Yes.

Final Thoughts

FamilyMart reinforced why Japanese konbini are such a big deal. It wasn’t just the variety that impressed me, but also how consistent the quality was, even across such simple items. From bold canned coffee to soft mochi bread and creative chip flavours, everything felt like it had been designed to not only be convenient but also enjoyable.

This post is a little different from my usual reviews of Ottawa restaurants, but that’s exactly why I wanted to include it in the Japan Food Series. FamilyMart, much like Lawson, represents a part of everyday Japanese life that travellers shouldn’t overlook. These aren’t just convenience stores in the way we think of them back home—they’re an essential food stop that offers affordable, quick, and surprisingly good eats. If you’re planning a trip to Sapporo, don’t just walk past FamilyMart. Step inside, grab a coffee or an onigiri, and you’ll see firsthand why konbini culture is such a memorable part of visiting Japan.