There are a lot of vending machines selling all sorts of things in Japan.
You can find them on every street corner, in every train station, and even in the most remote parts of the country.
They come in many different shapes and sizes and sell a wide range of 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.
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 made to give out postcards, but later it was changed to sell cigarettes and other small things.
In Japan, vending machines started to show up in the early 1900s.
Today, vending machines in Japan are high-tech machines that take cash, credit cards, and even QR codes as forms of payment.
Some machines even let you place your order from your phone and have the goods brought 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 having to go to a store or wait in line.
It is thought that the country has 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 keep in mind.
Because they are usually in public places, they can be a source of trash if people don’t throw away their trash the right way.
To be honest, though, it is VERY unusual to see a broken or damaged vending machine in Japan.
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 in charge of making rules about vending machines.
The ministry makes rules for the machines, including rules about safety, security, and the quality of the products.
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 have a look at the different types of things they sell, from the common to the crazy.
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 literally everywhere regardless of where you are.
On streets and in train stations.
If you have a few hundred yen in your pocket, you will never go thirsty in Japan.
2. Korean Beauty Products
The popularity of Korean cosmetics among Japanese customers has grown thanks in large part to social media sites like Instagram and YouTube.
The huge popularity of K-pop, which includes 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 a range of Korean beauty products.
3. Underwear
A Japanese vending machine can sell almost anything, even used underwear.
You can find these vending machines in love hotels and adult entertainment districts mainly.
Or so I am told.
They give out used underwear that “girls” working in the area have worn.
While such vending machines get reported on to satisfy Western media, these types of vending machines do not dot the streets of Japan lol.
4. Insects
You are tired from a long day shopping and fancy a snack.
Now, I do not know about you, but dried insects are not often at the top of my most desired munchies list.
Definitely one of the strange foods in Japan list.
Shame, because if they were, I’d never go hungry!
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 nor does the beer get stolen.
Be prepared to pay at least 2 to three times more than buying 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 of them 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 just 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
Another weird one as, to me at least, I’d not even consider buying some 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.
This, to me at least 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.
10 minutes later, I saw this.
11. Hot Meals
This one is in my local station near the exit.
A bit pricey but if you have had a hard day at the office and do not feel like cooking, then 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 as well.
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 pretty easily from cigarette vending machines.
But you’ll need an identification card called a taspo card nowadays.
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 almost never vandalized or broken.
So, if you ever decide to visit, keep an eye out for some of these interesting Japanese vending machines.
And let me know if, on your trip throughout the country, you find vending machines selling other stuff.
