The Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, which drew visitors from all over the world, concluded on October 13, 2025. Among its many attractions, one of the pavilions that garnered significant attention was “7-Eleven.” During the expo, two futuristic stores opened on-site, drawing an incredible over 1.64 million visitors. This served as a global showcase for the new potential and appeal of Japanese convenience stores. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at 7-Eleven’s initiatives at the expo, which offered numerous surprises and inspirations.
Number One in Onigiri Sales in Japan! The Beloved Products of the Expo
The “7-Eleven West Gate Store” at the expo set an astonishing record during the event. By selling an average of 2,341 onigiri (rice balls) per day, it became the top-selling 7-Eleven store for onigiri in all of Japan. The total number of onigiri sold across the two stores reached approximately 759,000, demonstrating just how much this Japanese soul food was loved by people from all walks of life.
The most popular choices were the classic “Hand-Rolled Onigiri Tuna Mayonnaise,” followed by “Hand-Rolled Onigiri Salted Salmon” and “Hand-Rolled Onigiri Kishu Nanko Plum.” It seems many visitors enjoyed the easy and delicious taste of Japan.
But it wasn’t just the onigiri that garnered attention. Special products available only at this location also became a hot topic.
Expo Exclusive! The “Freshly Baked in Store” Series Was a Massive Hit
The expo stores offered a “Freshly Baked in Store” series, prepared in special ovens right on site. The “Freshly Baked Chocolate Cookie” and the “Handy Margherita Pizza” were particularly popular. The novel experience of enjoying freshly baked goods at a convenience store captivated many, leading to a massive hit with approximately 394,000 items sold in the series.
The Fun of Choice! The “SEVEN CAFÉ Smoothie” Lineup
The “SEVEN CAFÉ Smoothie” lineup, offering an easy way to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, was also extremely popular. The top seller was the “Aromatic Matcha Smoothie,” showing that Japanese flavors were a hit here as well. This was followed by the “Berry Berry Yogurt Smoothie” and the “Strawberry Banana Soy Smoothie,” with a total of about 166,000 cups sold, quenching the thirst of many visitors.
Surprisingly Popular Apparel? A Variety of Exclusive Merchandise
Beyond food, apparel and miscellaneous goods featuring the 7-Eleven logo also drew attention. The “7-Eleven Eco Bag” was especially popular as a souvenir. Furthermore, “7-Eleven T-shirts” and “7-Eleven Socks” were also sold, becoming a topic of conversation as unique items.
Is This the Convenience Store of the Future? Packed with Cutting-Edge Technology that Amazed the World!
There’s a reason these 7-Eleven stores were dubbed “futuristic.” Centered around the three themes of “Environment,” “Products,” and “Shopping Experience,” numerous advanced initiatives were undertaken with an eye toward the future of society. Let’s take a look at some of the amazing details.
Generating Power Just by Walking? The Form of an Eco-Friendly Convenience Store
The expo stores incorporated several surprising technologies that embody environmental consideration. For example, they utilized “power-generating glass,” installed in a commercial facility for the first time in Japan. Furthermore, the floors were equipped with “power-generating flooring” that creates electricity from the vibrations of people walking.
Additionally, the in-store smoothie machines were powered by electricity generated from hydrogen, in collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation. For product delivery, the stores used “B100 fuel” recycled from used cooking oil from the stores, establishing a system for resource circulation. These initiatives served as a wonderful model case, showing how future stores can contribute to the global environment.
Customer Service by Avatar! A Comfortable Shopping Experience for Everyone
The future of the shopping experience could also be glimpsed here. A demonstration was conducted in which staff provided customer service remotely through an avatar robot, “newme.” This not only addresses future labor shortages but also proposes a new form of communication.
As a measure for the many international visitors at the expo, product shelves displayed product names in four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. Furthermore, allergy information was clearly shown with pictograms, creating an environment where everyone could shop with peace of mind. This was another point that was highly praised by many.
Officially Recognized by the Expo! 7-Eleven’s Sustainable Challenge
These advanced initiatives by 7-Eleven were highly praised by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. The company received awards in two categories for its outstanding activities toward achieving a sustainable society: the “Decarbonization” category and the “Procurement” category.
In the “Decarbonization” category, the use of cutting-edge technologies like hydrogen power generation and power-generating glass was recognized. In the “Procurement” category, the company was praised for its selection of environmentally friendly raw materials.
For example, in raw material procurement, they sold products like a “Tamago Sando” (egg sandwich) using “Sanagara Egg,” a soy-based plant-based food substitute for eggs, and onigiri that utilized “okara” (soy pulp), a byproduct of tofu production. They also took on the challenge of developing products that balance deliciousness with eco-friendliness, such as the “Hand-Rolled Onigiri Charcoal-Grilled Red Salmon,” which used wild Alaskan salmon caught through sustainable fishing. These products offer significant hints for the future of food.
7-Eleven demonstrated the new possibilities of Japanese convenience stores on the global stage of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The knowledge and achievements gained here are planned to be utilized in future store operations. The day may come when the surprising technologies and environmentally friendly products showcased at the expo become a common sight at your local 7-Eleven. Be sure to keep an eye on the future evolution of 7-Eleven.
大阪・関西万博におけるセブン‐イレブンの取り組み 184日間の累計来店客数164万人超(※1)、すべてのお客様に心から感謝
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