I’ll never forget the first time I visited a 7-Eleven in Thailand. Coming from the midwestern US, where many convenience stores are conveniently more for encountering sketchy people than for eating or drinking well, the locations in Bangkok felt almost immaculate.
Years later, when I made my maiden voyage into a Japanese 7-Eleven, I had the same sort of epiphany: They were as amazing compared to Thai ones as the Thai ones had been to the American ones.
On one hand, to be sure, you’re likely to be impressed by convenience stores in Asia, whether you visit 7-Eleven in Thailand or Japan. On the other hand, outlets in these two countries simply aren’t on the same level as one another.
Why Asian 7-Elevens Have Such a Sterling Reputation
Before I begin comparing Japan vs Thailand 7-11, I should speak in general about why convenience stores in Asia are so much better regarded than their counterparts in North America. The first reason is obvious: They are true community gathering centers here. In America, by contrast, they are primarily the domain of the poor and the working poor—which is fine—but, unfortunately, also of drifters and drug addicts and other low-lifes.
The second factor is that they are localized in just the right way. In Thailand, this means products like Thai Iced Tea and sticky rice moo ping sandwiches; in Japan, this means freshly-prepared onigiri and bento—and, in more rural areas, seasonal produce from nearby farms. This is also reflected in the coffee and other prepared beverages offered in both countries’ stores, though I’ll explain more about that in another section.
Ways to Compare 7-Elevens in Japan and Thailand
Number of stores
Surprisingly, the extent of 7-Eleven in Japan and Thailand is pretty similar: There are around 22,000 in Japan as of 2025, and just over 15,000 in Thailand. Relative to the populations of each country, this is more or less the same density. (Although as, I’ll explain later, Japan’s many other convenience store brands make it a bit more lopsided a winner.) Additionally, Japan is much less shy about placing multiple stores on the same block, especially in Tokyo.
Food and drink
Are Japanese or Thai convenience stores better? To some extent, this depends what you’re looking for. In terms of fresh food and drinks, Japan wins out—in Thailand, you don’t have the bento boxes, the delicious salads, the onigiri or the many varieties of fried chicken. You do have lots of delicious snacks, however—and various forms of Thai iced tea, both at the espresso bar and at the soda fountain, pre-prepared.
Service (and self-service)
Speaking of tea (and coffee), one distinction between Japanese and Thai 7-Eleven (or “Seven,” as it’s often shortened to in Thai) is the fact that coffee in Japan is self-service, using increasingly futuristic machines, some of which can now make smoothies. So too do even manned checkouts at Japanese stores include more and more self-service features. In terms of human service, employees at stores in both countries are friendly, but those in Thailand are more likely to speak English.
Cleanliness
If your comparison of Thai 7-11 or Japan 7-11 is with older stores, one thing I think you’ll notice in Thailand is the smell—a vague smell of body odor. I don’t think it’s a human body smell, however, since I’ve whiffed the same aroma in multiple stores. It might just be the smell of accumulated years, which for whatever reason don’t accumulate the same way in Japan (where stores, by and large, are simply leaner).
Consistency
Virtually every 7-Eleven in Japan offers a similar experience in terms of variety of products and quality of service, though obviously the layout can differ whether you’re in a cramped city or the spread-out countryside; urban stores are much less likely to have restrooms than rural ones. By contrast, in Thailand, older and individually-owned stores have much spottier quality than larger, new ones, which are mostly owned by the CP corporation.
Another Reason Japan Wins the Convenience Store War
Jaan has the most 7-11 stores in the world, and they are so numerous that you can often find multiple locations on the same city block. But except in very rare cases, it isn’t the only game in town. Rather, you have both national chains (Lawson and FamilyMart being the most conspicuous examples), and niche shops like NewDays (run by the JR East train company) and Seicomart, which is only found in Hokkaido.
This is not to say there aren’t certain other convenience stores in Thailand, the distinction between Thai or Japanese 7-11 notwithstanding. But you simply have both more convenience and more choice in Japan than you do in Thailand, which is a hard combination to beat. We’ll see if American 7-Eleven’s coming “Japanization” makes my home country a contender in this competition anytime soon!
Other FAQ About 7-Eleven in Thailand and Japan
Why is 7-Eleven popular in Thailand?
7-Eleven is popular among locals in Thailand because in most cities and towns, it’s the only business open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. For tourists, it’s a place to meet basic needs without having to speak Thai, and in an environment that is culturally familiar and un-intimidating.
Is it better to go to Thailand or Japan?
Thailand and Japan are best visited in combination with one another, rather than as a substitution for one another. I love Thailand for its controlled chaos, for its tropical warmth and wild beauty and for the overwhelming kindness of its people. In Japan, by contrast, I value order, tradition and heritage, and how unbeatably safe and reliable everything is.
Where is the largest 7-Eleven in Thailand?
The largest 7-Eleven store in Thailand is in Pattaya, near the beach. However, there are decently-sized stores throughout the Kingdom. If you’re in Bangkok, for example, I love the two two-story shops on Langsuan Road—one on the east side, just south of BTS Chit Lom Station, and other toward the west near the parking lot of Sindhorn Midtown Hotel.
The Bottom Line
Will you have a better experience at 7-Eleven in Thailand or Japan? In my opinion, it isn’t an especially close call. While there are some truly wonderful 7-Elevens in Thailand—I have a few particular outlets in my mind as I type this—the reality is that they are both more inconsistent (and, on the whole, more unremarkable) than their counterparts in Japan. There’s also the fact that in Japan, 7-Elevens form but part of a convenience store ecosystem that is far and away the best in the world. Need personalized help putting your Asian adventure together? Whether you plan to focus on Thailand, Japan or any other country, consider hiring me as your Travel Coach.
