Lawson, one of Japan’s leading convenience stores (known locally as “Konbini”), has collaborated with the symbol of Hanamaki City in Iwate Prefecture: the “Marukan Building Cafeteria.” Two new products that recreate their famous menu items will be released exclusively in the Tohoku region of Japan.
This is exciting news for anyone traveling through the Tohoku region (Northeastern Honshu) or those interested in Japan’s unique food culture. The two new items being released are a pasta dish recreating the cafeteria’s signature “Napoli-katsu” and an onigiri (rice ball) inspired by their lavish Western-style “A-set” meal.
What is the “Showa Retro Sanctuary” Marukan Building Cafeteria?
Before diving into the delicious details, let’s look at the history of the “Marukan Building Cafeteria,” which supervised these products. Located in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, this spot has been beloved since 1973, originally serving as the cafeteria for a local department store.
When the department store itself closed in 2016, the cafeteria was also forced to shut its doors. However, thanks to the passion of local fans and supporters, as well as funding raised through crowdfunding, it made a miraculous comeback as the “Marukan Building Cafeteria” in 2017.
Boasting 550 seats, this massive observation-style cafeteria offers a panoramic view of Hanamaki City. Its menu features everything from Japanese-style Western food to traditional Japanese dishes, and it is most famous for its giant, 10-tier “soft-serve ice cream” that locals eat with chopsticks. The “Showa Retro” (nostalgic vibe of 1960s–80s Japan) atmosphere makes visitors feel as though they have stepped back in time.
For the people of Tohoku, being able to easily experience the flavors of this local treasure at a convenience store is a truly heartwarming event.
Recreating the Signature Volume! “Marukan Building Cafeteria Supervised: Napoli-katsu”
The “Napoli-katsu,” a dish ordered by many customers visiting the cafeteria, has been recreated as a pasta product.
- Product Name: Marukan Building Cafeteria Supervised: Napoli-katsu
- Release Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Price: 646 yen (tax included) (approx. $4.31)
- Sales Area: Lawson stores in the Tohoku region of Japan
“Napolitan” is a uniquely Japanese pasta seasoned with a tangy ketchup-based sauce. This product features a traditional pasta base with onions and mushrooms, topped with a generous “Tonkatsu” (Pork Cutlet).
The rich sauce with its ketchup acidity coats the pasta and meat perfectly. Unlike refined Italian pasta, this dish is characterized by a “robust, hearty deliciousness” that is distinctly Japanese. Its filling portion makes it perfect for lunchtime. Don’t miss this chance to experience a true Japanese soul food that can only be tasted in Tohoku.
A Western-Style Platter in One Bite! “Like an A-set Onigiri (Hamburger and Shrimp Cutlet)”
Next up is a unique product that packs the elements of the cafeteria’s popular “A-set” Western platter into a single onigiri.
- Product Name: Marukan Building Cafeteria Supervised: Like an A-set Onigiri (Hamburger and Shrimp Cutlet)
- Release Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Price: 354 yen (tax included) (approx. $2.36)
- Sales Area: Lawson stores in the Tohoku region of Japan
Onigiri (Rice Ball) is Japan’s quintessential snack. The “A-set” at Marukan Building Cafeteria is a luxurious platter featuring a hamburger steak, fried shrimp, and gratin all on one plate. This onigiri condenses that essence into one convenient package.
Inside, you’ll find a juicy hamburger steak and a plump “Shrimp Cutlet” (Ebi-katsu). The key to its flavor is the combination of rich demi-glace sauce and a mellow white gratin sauce.
While it offers the convenience of being eaten with one hand, the content provides the satisfaction of a full Western-style course. It is an incredibly creative product that expands the possibilities of what an onigiri can be.
Regional Flavors Enrich Daily Life
These region-exclusive collaborations are a major draw of Japanese convenience stores. For locals, it is an opportunity to reaffirm their “local pride,” and for tourists, it becomes a “special experience unique to that area.”
This project, which brings the vibrant energy of the “Marukan Building Cafeteria”—which draws visitors even from outside Iwate Prefecture—to Lawson stores across the entire Tohoku region, is truly special.
These items are available in limited quantities. If you are traveling through the Tohoku region, be sure to check your local Lawson early. You’ll be able to feel the vitality of Japan’s Showa era and the warmth of a legendary local cafeteria.
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