Summer in Japan is no joke. Once the humidity settles in, a cold drink from a convenience store stops feeling like a treat and starts feeling like survival gear.
So the timing is good: FamilyMart (ファミリーマート) has kicked off one of its most popular recurring promotions, the "Buy One, Get One Free" campaign (1個買うと、1個もらえる).
Buy a qualifying item, and you get a second one free. It runs from June 23 to July 13, 2026, across roughly 16,400 stores nationwide.
There's one catch, though, and it matters a lot if you're visiting: the free item isn't handed to you on the spot.
This guide breaks down what you can get, how the voucher works, and why a short trip might not be long enough to cash it in. If Japanese convenience stores are still new to you, our full Japan konbini guide is a good place to start first.
How the campaign works
Photo courtesy of FamilyMart
The mechanics are simple. When you buy one of the qualifying products, a "free-item voucher" (無料引換券) prints directly onto your receipt. Later, you bring that receipt-voucher back to the register along with the item you want, and you walk out with it for free.
The summer lineup covers 97 products, with drinks, snacks, and cup noodles as the headline categories.
This isn't a one-off stunt. FamilyMart has run "Buy One, Get One Free" on and off since May 2021, and it's become one of those promotions regulars genuinely look forward to — especially as everyday prices keep creeping up. If you've wanted to try a Japanese convenience-store campaign for yourself, this is an easy one to jump into.
What you can actually get
Photo courtesy of FamilyMart
The combinations FamilyMart highlights are built for hot weather. Think hydration staples: Coca-Cola's "Yakan no Mugicha" roasted barley tea, or the deal where buying a 500ml Aquarius sports drink earns you a free 950ml bottle.
For travelers logging serious step counts in the heat, that's a genuinely useful pairing.
It's not only drinks, either. A few newer items are in the mix, including Meiji's Almond Chocolate Pocket Pack and a large-size FamiMaru sauce yakisoba with a packet of karashi mayo. One thing to keep in mind: the exact lineup can vary by region, so the surest move is to check the in-store signage or your receipt rather than assume a specific product is stocked everywhere.
The part travelers miss: you collect it next week
Photo courtesy of FamilyMart
This is where a lot of visitors get tripped up. The promotion is built around a "buy this week, claim next week" rhythm — a slightly delayed bonus rather than an instant second item.
You can't grab your free drink at the same checkout, so plan around it.
The voucher-issuing periods are split by week:
Week 1: buy June 23–29
Week 2: buy June 30–July 6
Week 3: buy July 7–July 13
Each voucher prints its own redemption window — generally the week after you bought the item. So you'll need to make a second trip to a FamilyMart once that window opens.
If you're in Japan for only three or four days, there's a real chance you'll fly home before you can use it. The deal rewards visitors who stay longer, or who base themselves in one area for several days.
Tips and the fine print
Rule number one: do not throw away your receipt. The free-item voucher is printed on it, so the receipt is the coupon. It's easy to lose in a wallet stuffed with yen, so it helps to check the redemption dates once you're back at your hotel.
A few other details are worth knowing. The voucher can't be combined with other discounts or member perks. Some stores may not carry every featured product, or may sell out. And, as with most promotions, FamilyMart can change or end it without notice.
As for paying, FamilyMart takes cash, transit IC cards such as Suica and PASMO, credit cards, and QR-code payments. You'll find branches not just around stations and nightlife districts but tucked into quiet residential blocks too, so there's a good chance one sits within a short walk of your hotel.
The bottom line
"Buy One, Get One Free" is FamilyMart's summer promotion that turns one qualifying purchase into a free second item, running June 23 to July 13, 2026, at around 16,400 stores. The key is remembering that you collect the freebie the following week. Hang on to that receipt-voucher, and if you can swing back a few days later, it's an easy way to stretch your yen — and stay cool — on a brutally hot Japanese summer day.
This article was translated from the original Japanese with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. The Japanese version is authoritative.
