There are a lot of vending machines selling all sorts of things in Japan.

You can find them on every street corner, train station, and even the country’s most remote parts.

They come in many shapes and sizes and sell various goods and services.

Some sell cold drinks like green tea and snacks, while others sell ice cream, instant ramen hot meals or beauty products.

This one has wooden cladding.

So it looks aesthetically pleasing.

In this post, I’ll give you a glimpse of the vending machines you can find in Japan.

The number of vending machines you’ll see when walking around will shock you.

I found most of these walking around the Osu area of Nagoya.

Prefer to Listen?

A Background to Vending Machine Mania In Japan

Vending machines [ 自動 販売 機] have been around for a long time, but they have changed a lot over the years.

The first “modern” vending machine was made by Percival Everitt in England in 1883.

It was originally designed to give out postcards, but later, it was changed to sell cigarettes and other small items.

In Japan, vending machines started to show up in the early 1900s.

Today, vending machines in Japan are high-tech machines that accept cash, credit cards, and QR codes as payment.

Some machines even let you place your order from your phone and bring the goods right to you.

Why do so Many People in Japan Use Vending Machines?

Japan loves vending machines for more than one reason.

They are easy to use and don’t cost much to run.

You can find them even in the most remote parts of the country.

Also, many vending machines offer a wide range of goods and services, which makes them useful for many people as a one-stop shop.

Vending machines are a convenient way to get what you need without going to a store or waiting in line.

The country is thought to have more than 5.5 million vending machines, or one for every 23 people.

What are Some of the Problems that Vending Machines Cause?

Even though vending machines are usually safe and reliable, there are a few things to remember.

Because they are usually in public places, they can be a source of trash if people don’t dispose of their trash properly.

However, seeing a broken or damaged vending machine in Japan is very unusual.

They are almost always spotless and work with no vandalism or damage.

How do Vending Machines in Japan Work?

The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry in Japan is responsible for regulating vending machines.

The ministry makes rules for the machines, including rules about safety, security, and product quality.

The ministry also checks vending machines to make sure they follow the rules.

Who owns Japanese vending machines?

In Japan, vending machines are owned by a wide range of businesses, from large corporations to small businesses and even individual business owners.

Also, many vending machines in Japan belong to the government.

What kinds of vending machines are there?

Most vending machines sell normal things like drinks or snacks.

One thing you notice is that Japanese vending machines are everywhere!

And if you have a 100 yen coin, 500 yen coin, or bills/notes, these machines accept them all.

Let’s examine the different types of things they sell, from the common to the unusual.

1. Drink Vending Machines

These machines sell soda, coffee, tea, energy drinks, and water, among other cold drinks.

In the winter, many also serve hot drinks.

You can find these everywhere, regardless of where you are.

On streets and in train stations.

You will never go thirsty in Japan if you have a few hundred yen in your pocket.

2. Korean Beauty Products

The popularity of Korean cosmetics among Japanese customers has grown, thanks largely to social media sites like Instagram and YouTube.

K-pop’s huge popularity, including music, dramas, and movies, was a big reason for the rise in Korean cosmetics sales in Japan.

Here’s a vending machine in Nagoya that sells Korean beauty products.

3. Underwear

A Japanese vending machine can sell almost anything, even used underwear.

These vending machines are mainly found in love hotels and adult entertainment districts.

Or so I am told.

They give out used underwear that “girls” working in the area have worn.

While such vending machines are reported on to satisfy Western media, they do not dot the streets of Japan, lol.

4. Insects

You are tired from a long day shopping and fancy a snack.

I don’t know about you, but dried insects are not often at the top of my list of most desired munchies.

One of the strange foods in Japan list.

It’s a shame because I’d never go hungry if they were!

Feel like a bag of dried ants or grasshoppers?

Be my guest; they are nutritious.

5. Beer

Beer vending machines are common in Japan.

But they aren’t on the streets as much as they used to be.

These days, you can find them in Karaoke parlours and hotels, for the most part.

I can only imagine if these were in the UK.

But here, they do not get smashed up or the beer stolen.

Be prepared to pay at least two to three times more than for a beer from the convenience store, though.

Just as rare these days are sake vending machines.

6. Ready Made Meals

The Japanese work like mad, so many do not have time to cook.

Convenience stores and vending machines can help here.

So, on some streets and in some train stations, you can find food-related vending machines.

Pick up some noodles or curry, and reheat when you get home.

You can even find the odd hamburger vending machine here and there.

7. Bread and Snacks

Did you know that you can also buy bread from a vending machine?

Ok, not bread per se, but sweet and savoury buns, as this machine shows.

8. Soup Stock

This is another weird one, as, to me at least, I’d not even consider buying soup stock from a vending machine.

But dashi stock is all this beauty sells.

Japanese dashi is made from Bonito flakes or flying fish

9. Cakes and Doughnuts

I have a sweet tooth, but I’ve not tried these donuts.

I’d rather buy fresh myself.

But people can buy doughnuts and cakes if they suddenly get a sugar craving.

10. Sriracha Spicy Sauce

I’ll be honest. 

To me, this was the most random vending machine I saw.

I like the sauce, but to see it in a vending machine.

Only in Japan springs to mind here.

Oh, and do not be mistaken into thinking this was one of a kind.

Ten minutes later, I saw this.

11. Hot Meals

This one is in my local station near the exit.

It’s a bit pricey, but if you’ve had a hard day at the office and do not feel like cooking, slip a few thousand yen in here and get a nice hot meal to bring home.

12. Covid 19

No, you cannot buy Covid, but you can get masked up and get a test kit.

Japan is still super paranoid about this stuff, so these machines can be found dotted about.

13 – Nerd Heaven

Do you have a few cards you need desperately to complete your collection?

Then, in the more nerdy areas of Japan, you can get your fix.

Here’s another one.

14 – Smoker’s Paradise

These are getting less common.

And that’s a good thing.

But if you fancy a cigarette, you can buy a pack or two from cigarette vending machines.

But nowadays, you’ll need an identification card called a Taspo card.

15 – Fancy Korean Tonight?

Korean culture is very popular in Japan.

As mentioned earlier in this post.

This one specializes in Korean noodles.

Final Words

Vending machines are a big part of life in Japan, and you can find them just about anywhere.

They make up a big part of the uniqueness of Japan.

And the number of vending machines never ceases to amaze me.

Plus, the low crime rate means they are rarely vandalized or broken.

So, if you ever decide to visit, look for some of these interesting Japanese vending machines.

Also, let me know if you find vending machines selling other stuff on your trip throughout the country.