Introduction
Walk into any convenience store in Japan right now and you’ll notice the ice cream section has turned mint green. Every May, Japan’s major konbini chains compete to release the most tempting choco mint products, and 2026 is no exception. 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson have all rolled out new choco mint items at the same time.
The lineup goes beyond ice cream, covering snacks, drinks, and baked goods. This article breaks down every product from all three chains, with prices included.
What You’ll Learn
- Details on 7-Eleven’s 2 new choco mint items, including a fresh chocolate mint bar
- FamilyMart’s full 8-item “Choco Mint Collection 2026” lineup
- Lawson’s 4 products, featuring a MUJI collaboration
- The cultural background behind Japan’s choco mint craze and who loves it most
Disclaimer: This article is based on official announcements from each chain as of May 2026. Some products are limited quantity and availability varies by store.
7-Eleven: Fresh Chocolate Meets Mint
Two new products launched on May 19 (Tue).
Seven Premium Nama Choco Mint Bar (267 yen incl. tax)
A mint ice cream bar filled with nama choco (fresh chocolate) sauce, coated in chocolate with chocolate chips mixed in. It combines the coolness of mint with the richness of fresh chocolate.
Choco Mint Cookie Sandwich (205 yen incl. tax)
Mint ice cream made with Hokkaido fresh cream, sandwiched between cocoa powder-infused chocolate cookies. This is a 7-Eleven exclusive and isn’t available at other chains.
(Source: 7-Eleven press release)
FamilyMart: An 8-Item “Choco Mint Collection”
FamilyMart is holding its “Choco Mint Collection” for the third year running. This year features a record 8 items, rolling out from May 19 (Tue), with some items starting May 26.
(Source: FamilyMart press release)
Ice Cream (May 19)
| Product | Price (incl. tax) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Waffle Cone Choco Mint | 368 yen | Uses first-harvest peppermint |
| Gisshiri Manzoku! Choco Mint | 270 yen | Loaded with crunchy chocolate |
Snacks & Drinks (May 19, limited quantity)
| Product | Price (incl. tax) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sokai Mint Choco Mint Crunch | 208 yen | Limited quantity |
| Alphabet Chocolate Sakutto Crepe Choco Mint | 248 yen | Limited quantity |
| Choco Mint Drink (270g) | 268 yen | Limited quantity |
Baked Goods (May 26, limited quantity)
| Product | Price (incl. tax) |
|---|---|
| Choco Mint Tart | 190 yen |
| Choco Mint Pound Cake | 190 yen |
| Choco Mint Stick Cake | 165 yen |
All three baked goods are under 200 yen. A great starting point if you want to try choco mint without a big commitment.
Lawson: MUJI Collaboration Is the Highlight
Lawson has been running its “Choco Mint Fair” since May 12. In addition to Lawson-original items, the lineup includes products from MUJI (Mujirushi Ryohin), which are sold at Lawson stores.
(Source: Lawson Choco Mint Fair)
Lawson Originals
| Product | Price (incl. tax) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mint-Boosted Mugi Choco Mint (40g) | 188 yen | Extra-strong mint flavor |
| Marshmallow Block Choco Mint (65g) | 218 yen | Marshmallow meets choco mint |
MUJI Collaboration
| Product | Price (incl. tax) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut Macaron Choco & Mint (30g) | 249 yen | Coconut and mint combo |
| Choco Mint Stick Cake | 180 yen | Part of MUJI’s baked goods line |
Why Is Choco Mint So Popular in Japan?
If you’ve moved to Japan from abroad, you may have wondered: do Japanese people love choco mint a little too much? From convenience stores and supermarkets to cafes and donut chains, everywhere is suddenly flooded with choco mint between May and August. Here’s the backstory.
The Boom Started Around 2016–2017
Starting around 2016, more and more people began publicly declaring themselves choco mint fans on social media. The trend expanded rapidly in the summer of 2017 when Japanese media began covering it more frequently. Around the same time, the term choco-min-tō (a play on words combining “choco mint” with tō, the Japanese word for political party) spread on social media, creating a sense of community among choco mint lovers.
(Source: Toyo Keizai Online: "Why Did Japan Become a Nation of Choco Mint Party Members?")
Around 90% of People in Their 20s–40s Are Fans
In a July 2025 survey by FamilyMart, around 93% of people in their 30s and 91% of those in their 20s and 40s said they liked choco mint (including “somewhat like”). By gender, around 89% of men and 86% of women said they’re fans. Men edged out women slightly, which may come as a surprise for a flavor often associated with a more feminine image.
(Source: FamilyMart Data Lab: "2025 Choco Mint Popularity Report")
The Appeal: Sweet and Refreshing at Once
In the same FamilyMart survey, the top reason people love choco mint was “the perfect harmony between chocolate and mint” (71%), followed by “refreshing aftertaste and cool sensation” (58%) and “cold, smooth mouthfeel” (42%). Japan’s summers are hot and humid, which is part of why a flavor that delivers both sweetness and coolness works so well as a seasonal product.
Year-Round Abroad, Summer-Only in Japan
In supermarkets across English-speaking countries, choco mint ice cream and chocolate sit on shelves year-round and aren’t really treated as a seasonal item. In Japan, however, manufacturers concentrate new releases between May and August, making choco mint a firmly established “summer seasonal flavor.” That means the window to try these products while you’re in Japan is limited.
Choco mint is uniquely positioned as a Japanese summer tradition. Miss the May–August window, and most products won’t return until next year.
FAQ
Q. What is choco mint?
A. Choco mint (choko minto) is a flavor combination of chocolate and mint. The cool, refreshing taste of mint paired with chocolate sweetness is a beloved seasonal flavor in Japan, especially popular in ice cream.
Q. How long are these products available?
A. None of the three chains have announced specific end dates. However, many items are labeled as limited quantity, so they’ll likely disappear once stock runs out. If something catches your eye, grab it sooner rather than later.
Q. Which chain has the most options?
A. FamilyMart leads with 8 items total, spanning ice cream, snacks, drinks, and baked goods.
Q. When did choco mint become popular in Japan?
A. The trend gained momentum on social media around 2016, and grew further after Japanese media began featuring it more frequently in the summer of 2017 (Source: Toyo Keizai Online). The term choco-min-tō (choco mint party) became a fixture on social media around the same time.
7-Eleven is also running its anniversary upsizing campaign until June 1. If rising food costs are on your mind, check out our June food price increase roundup as well.
Key Takeaways
- ✅ All three major convenience store chains have launched choco mint products for May 2026
- ✅ FamilyMart has the widest selection with 8 items. Their “Choco Mint Collection” is now in its third year
- ✅ 7-Eleven’s Cookie Sandwich (205 yen) is an exclusive not available elsewhere
- ✅ Lawson’s lineup features a MUJI collaboration, with their Choco Mint Fair running since May 12
- ✅ Choco mint took off in Japan around 2017, and roughly 90% of people aged 20–40 say they’re fans, making it a summer staple
- ✅ Unlike many countries where it’s sold year-round, Japan treats choco mint as a May–August seasonal flavor, so don’t wait too long
The “choco mint summer” that plays out every year at Japan’s convenience stores has become part of the country’s seasonal food culture. Each chain brings its own twist, so pick up whatever catches your eye and work through the list at your own pace.
