When it comes to convenience stores in Hokkaido, most people immediately think of Seicomart. It’s more common here than 7-Eleven, Lawson, or FamilyMart.
However, in the city of Nemuro, Taiei is the real local favorite.
How to Get to Taiei
Taiei is a local convenience store chain located around Nemuro Station in eastern Hokkaido.
For directions to Nemuro Station, please refer to this article.
What is Taiei?
Taiei operates four stores across Nemuro City, offering bento meals and side dishes of such high quality that it’s hard to believe they come from a convenience store.
Japanese convenience stores are often praised for their high standards, but Taiei’s handmade bentos and deli items are on another level entirely.
Their signature dish is the Yakitori Bento—though, interestingly, the meat used isn’t chicken but pork.
Keep that in mind when ordering!
Store Locations
Chidori Main Store (about 26 minutes on foot from Nemuro Station)
2-43 Chishima-cho, Nemuro, Hokkaido – View on Google Maps
Open 7:00–22:00
Akebono Store (about 18 minutes on foot from Nemuro Station)
2-2 Akebono-cho, Nemuro, Hokkaido – View on Google Maps
Open 6:00–24:00
Nishihama Store (about 27 minutes on foot from Nemuro Station)
3-10 Nishihama-cho, Nemuro, Hokkaido – View on Google Maps
Open 24 hours
Nemuro City Hall Branch (about 7 minutes on foot from Nemuro Station)
2-27 Tokiwa-cho, Nemuro, Hokkaido – View on Google Maps
Open 8:30–17:00 (Closed on weekends and public holidays)
Inside Taiei
The photos here show the Nishihama Store, which has a spacious interior and operates 24 hours a day—making it very convenient for travelers.
The Yakitori Bento
As mentioned earlier, Taiei’s famous Yakitori Bento actually uses pork, not chicken.
It isn’t pre-made and displayed on the shelf — each one is freshly grilled after you order.
How to Order
The menu is written in Japanese only, but it includes photos, so don’t worry.
You can use a translation app if needed. Here’s how it works:
1:Choose your menu item.
The most popular option is the Yakitori Bento (Small) — it’s the top-left item on the menu.
It includes 200 grams of rice and three pork skewers.
2:Take an order sheet and a pen from the counter and fill it out.
Write your name at the top right corner. This is how they’ll call you when it’s ready.
(Writing it in simple English is perfectly fine.)
Indicate the number of bentos you want in the grid.
The left column lists the bento types, and the top row lists the sauce flavors.
If you want a simple, savory flavor, we recommend salt & pepper.
3:Hand the sheet to the staff and wait.
During lunchtime, it can take up to 30 minutes, so be patient and enjoy the local atmosphere.
How to Eat
The pork skewers are served directly on top of the rice.
You can eat them as they are, but it’s easier to remove the skewers first.
1:Open the lid — you’ll see the skewers laid over the rice. (Photo: Yakitori Variety Bento)
2:Close the lid again. On the edge of the container, you’ll find a small notch.Hook the skewer into the notch, press the lid down gently, and pull the skewer out.
3:The meat slides off neatly, making it easier to eat.Now it’s ready — enjoy your meal!
Soft-Serve Ice Cream
Taiei also offers soft-serve ice cream, perfect for dessert after your Yakitori Bento.
Look for the Betsukai Soft on the menu (bottom right corner).
“Betsukai” refers to Betsukai Town, a dairy-rich area of eastern Hokkaido where cows outnumber people.
Their milk is incredibly fresh, and the soft-serve ice cream made from it is exceptionally rich.
Our editorial team once visited Betsukai and tried the original soft-serve—it was unforgettable.
Being able to enjoy that same flavor here in Nemuro is a rare treat.
information in this article is accurate as of August 13, 2025.