Tokyo Open 24/7 — Pharmacies, Supermarkets, ATMs, ER

You land at Narita at 11:30 PM, the last Narita Express has left, and your hotel is near Ueno. Your stomach is growling, your SIM card is out of data, and you just realized you haven’t exchanged cash. In Tokyo, none of these are problems — if you know where to look. This guide covers every 24-hour resource that actually works in Tokyo, from getting food at 3 AM to finding an English-speaking doctor when you’re sick at 2 AM. No fluff, just the operational reality.

The Konbini — Tokyo’s True 24/7 Backbone

Convenience stores (konbini) are the single most important 24-hour resource in Tokyo. The big three — 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart — are everywhere: on every major street, inside every train station (often open even when the station is closed), and in residential neighborhoods. They are open 24/7/365, including New Year’s Day.

What you can do at a konbini

Food and drinks: Onigiri (¥150–¥250), pre-made sandwiches, bento boxes (¥400–¥700), instant noodles, salads, fruit cups. Hot food counter at most locations (fried chicken, oden in winter). A meal of onigiri + drink can be around ¥500. Beer, chu-hi, sake available 24/7.
ATM with foreign cards: Most 7-Eleven and Japan Post Bank ATMs in konbini accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and UnionPay. This is the most reliable 24-hour cash source for travelers. Lawson and FamilyMart ATMs may also work but check for the International logo. Limit per withdrawal: usually ¥50,000–¥100,000; fee varies (around ¥110–¥220).
Other services: printing (USB or via app), ticket pickup (Lawson Loppi, FamilyMart FamiPort), shipping (Yamato Transport drop-off), bill payment, phone charging stations, and even tax payment slips.

The konbini is also your backup pharmacy: basic OTC meds (pain relievers like Bufferin, cold meds, bandages, stomach meds) are available. Not a full drugstore, but good enough for a headache or small cut.

Don Quijote (Donki) — The 24-Hour Megastore

If you need something a konbini doesn’t stock — electronics chargers, travel adapters, snacks in bulk, weird souvenir T-shirts, cosplay gear — head to Don Quijote (Donki). Many branches in Tokyo are open 24 hours, including the iconic ones in Shibuya, Akihabara, Roppongi, and Shinjuku. You’ll find grotto-like aisles stuffed with everything from contact lens solution to mascot costumes to alcohol at competitive prices. They also have gift-wrapping on site if you need a last-minute omiyage.

Note: Donki ATMs sometimes have worse foreign card compatibility. Stick to 7-Eleven ATMs for cash withdrawal.

24-Hour Supermarkets

True 24-hour grocery supermarkets are rare in Tokyo. Most close by 10 PM or midnight. Exceptions include:

Sun Marche (some locations, notably Shinjuku and Iidabashi) – 24h, fresh produce, meat, deli items.
MaruEtsu Plus (e.g., in Jiyugaoka) – 24h.
OK Store – a discount chain. Some branches are 24h (check the specific store page).
Life Corporation – certain branches in central wards open until 2 AM or 24h.

The advantage over konbini: fresh vegetables, real milk, broader beer selection, and usually cheaper prices. But for most late-night needs, konbini is sufficient.

Drugstores (Open Lates, Rarely 24h)

The major pharmacy chains — Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Sundrug — typically operate 10 AM to 10 PM. However, some locations in entertainment districts stay open later. For example, Matsumoto Kiyoshi in Shinjuku Station is open until midnight. If you need a 24-hour drugstore, your best bets are konbini or a 24-hour Don Quijote (which has a decent medicine section). For serious meds, go to a hospital ER.

Hospital Emergency Rooms (24/7, English Available)

Tokyo has several hospitals with 24-hour emergency departments and English-speaking staff. Do not go to a clinic at 2 AM — they will be closed. Head to a major hospital ER. These are your options:

St. Luke’s International Hospital (Tsukiji area) – 24/7 ER, English-speaking doctors on staff. International reputation. Address: 9-1 Akashicho, Chuo-ku. Phone: 03-3541-5151.
Tokyo Medical University Hospital (Shinjuku) – English support available 24/7. Address: 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku.
Japanese Red Cross Medical Center (Shibuya/Hiroo) – 24/7 ER, English interpreters on call. Address: 4-1-22 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku.
International Catholic Hospital Seibo (Shimo-Ochiai) – English-speaking staff. Not a Level 1 trauma center but handles most emergencies.

For non-emergency medical questions, call the Tokyo Medical Emergency 24-Hour Hotline (English): 03-5285-8181. They can advise which hospital to go to and interpret if needed.

Dental Emergencies

Dental issues are not handled by konbini. For a toothache at 2 AM, your options are limited. Call the Tokyo English Lifeline (03-5774-0992) — they can refer you to emergency dental services that may be available by appointment next morning. Some hotels have a list of English-speaking dentists on call. Do not expect emergency dental walk-in at 3 AM.

Veterinary Emergencies

If your traveling pet gets sick, the Tokyo Animal Emergency Care Center operates 24 hours. Multiple locations; the main one is in Setagaya. Phone: 03-3414-3011. They have English-speaking staff on standby.

ATMs for Foreign Cards — The Reliable Options

Not all ATMs in Tokyo accept foreign cards. Here’s the cheat sheet:

7-Eleven ATMs (Seven Bank): Best option — 24/7, accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, UnionPay, plus many international debit networks. Available at thousands of 7-Eleven konbini.
Japan Post Bank ATMs: Most major subway stations and all post offices have 24-hour ATMs that accept foreign cards. Look for the International Card symbol.
Lawson / FamilyMart ATMs: Often accept foreign cards but not always. Try only if 7-Eleven is too far.
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho, SMBC: Their standalone ATMs (not in konbini) frequently reject foreign cards, especially at night. Avoid for cash withdrawal.

Carry a backup card and always have some yen (¥10,000–¥20,000) for cash-only spots (small ramen shops, temples).

Late-Night Food Beyond Konbini

If you crave a proper meal at 3 AM, you have legit options:

Gyudon (beef bowl) chains: Yoshinoya, Sukiya, Matsuya — almost all locations are open 24 hours. A bowl of gyudon starts at around ¥350. They also serve curry, breakfast sets, and are dirt cheap.
Ramen shops: Ichiran has 24-hour locations in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi, and Asakusa. Other ramen shops in entertainment districts stay open until 5–6 AM.
Family restaurants: Gusto, Saizeriya, Jonathan’s — many are 24 hours. Saizeriya is absurdly cheap (wine from ¥200, pasta from ¥300). They have English menus in tourist areas.
Kaiten sushi: Some 24-hour revolving sushi places exist (e.g., Uobei in Shibuya). Check Google Maps for hours.
Conveyor-belt ramen / udon: Some places like Hanamaru Udon (Udon chain) are 24h in stations.

Karaoke 24 Hours

Karaoke boxes in entertainment districts often run 24 hours, especially Friday and Saturday nights. Chains like Karaoke-Kan and Big Echo have all-night packages (e.g., ¥1,800 from 11 PM to 6 AM including drink bar). Good option if you miss the last train and want to kill time until the first one.

Internet Cafés / Manga Kissa (24h)

Manga kissa (internet cafés) are a Tokyo late-night survival institution. For around ¥1,500 for 6 hours, you get a private booth or reclining seat, unlimited soft drinks, free Wi-Fi, access to thousands of manga, and often a shower. Major chains: Manboo!, Popeyes, @Cafe. Many are open 24 hours. They are not the Ritz, but they’re safe, clean, and a lifesaver if you miss the last train. Showers are included at some locations (look for “シャワー” on the menu).

Public Baths / 24-Hour Onsen

True 24-hour public baths or onsen in central Tokyo are rare. Most close by midnight or 1 AM. However, you can find capsule hotels with attached bath facilities (e.g., Nine Hours, Capsule Inn) — you don’t have to stay overnight; some sell “day use” passes for the bath. If you’re desperate for a late-night soak, a manga kissa with a shower is your fallback.

Public Toilets 24/7

You’ll never be far from a toilet in Tokyo, but at night options narrow. Reliable 24-hour spots:

Konbini — always open, though some ask you to buy a small item first (buy a ¥100 tea).
Train stations — toilets are available until the last train departs (around 12:30 AM–1 AM). After that, the station gates are locked until 5 AM.
Parks — some public parks have 24-hour restrooms (e.g., Yoyogi Park, Ueno Park). Not all are clean; use sparingly.
Family restaurants and 24-hour food chains — you can usually use the restroom without ordering.

Lost Items — Passport, Phone, Wallet

Tokyo is absurdly honest. If you lose something, there is a very high chance it will be returned. Here’s the drill:

Lost passport: Call the police at 110 (English operator available) to file a report. Then go to your home country’s embassy the next business day. For USA/UK/Canada/Australia embassies in Tokyo, walk-in hours are typically 9 AM–12 PM; call ahead.
Lost phone or wallet: Go to the nearest koban (police box). They are located every few blocks in central Tokyo. Nearly all stations have a lost-and-found ledger. Phones and wallets are frequently turned in within hours. Japan Post Bank or 7-Eleven ATMs can sometimes help if a card is inside the wallet (they may call police).
Lost items on trains: JR stations have a lost-and-found office. For subway, contact the specific line’s lost-and-found.

Pro tip: Write your hotel address and name in Japanese on a card inside your wallet — if found, it often gets delivered directly.

Quick Recap of Essential 24/7 Resources

Cash: 7-Eleven ATM (best for foreign cards).
Food: Konbini (anytime), Yoshinoya/Sukiya (24h), Ichiran (select locations 24h).
Medical emergency: St. Luke’s Hospital (English 24/7), hotline 03-5285-8181.
Plan after missing last train: Manga kissa (¥1,500 for 6h with shower) or karaoke (all-night).
Lost & found: Koban → likely recovered within hours.

For more setup and tips on getting around efficiently, see our main Tokyo travel guide, the money and payment guide, and arrival setup steps. Tokyo never sleeps, and with this knowledge, neither do you — at least not uncomfortably.