All About Vending Machines in Japan
Visitors to Japan who aren't already aware of it are often surprised, if not shocked, by the sheer number of vending machines that can be found all over the country. In big cities like Tokyo, you'll see vending machines inside and outside stations, on train platforms, on street corners, in parks, in front of shops or peoples' houses... essentially, you'll see vending machines everywhere you look. You'll even find vending machines in the middle of nowhere in the countryside, and somehow they will still be fully stocked.
There are over two million vending machines in Japan dedicated to drinks in plastic bottles or cans alone, so that number doesn't include vending machines that dispense other things!
But why are there so many vending machines, and why have they become something of an attraction for tourists?
To answer that question, let's talk about why there are so many vending machines in Japan, some things that make these vending machines special compared to ones in other countries, and take a look at some very unique vending machines you'll only find in Japan.
Why Are There So Many Vending Machines?
There's no clear one reason why vending machines have become so widespread; instead, a few different factors have led to being able to find vending machines just about anywhere in Japan.
One factor is that Japan is a relatively safe country with low risks of vandalism, meaning that vending machines can be installed just about anywhere without any worries about them getting graffitied, smashed, or broken into.
The reality of Japanese work culture, as it is right now, is that an average office worker tends to do a lot of overtime without many breaks, meaning that having the time to go to a shop and stand in line to buy something to drink is a luxury they may not have. This means being able to run to the vending machine right across the street (or even in front of the office) is a huge time-saver. And since many vending machines in Japan sell small cans of coffee, office workers needing a quick and easy pick-me-up will sometimes choose that over grabbing a coffee from a cafe or convenience store.
But one of the biggest factors that has led to so many vending machines in Japan over the years is how easy it is to set one up. If you want to install a vending machine that sells soft drinks, juice, or other non-alcoholic beverages in cans or bottles, you actually don't need any kind of permit to set it up. Plus, you don't even need to buy the machine. Many vending machine companies will rent out the machine to you essentially free of charge, and take care of installing, restocking, and maintaining it. The company will get a proportion of the profits from the vending machine, but so will you. All you have to do is pay for electricity to keep the machine up and running.
Since it's so easy, shops will often set up a vending machine outside of their store just to create a quick and easy revenue stream. Some people will even set up vending machines outside of their own homes as a little side hustle.
With all these factors in play, it's easy to see why vending machines have become so widespread in Japan. But there's more to vending machines in Japan than just the sheer number of them!
What's So Special About Japanese Vending Machines?
One of the most unique things about vending machines in Japan is that they can sell cold and hot drinks. In the summer, you'll see vending machines filled with soda, cold cans of coffee, cold green tea, and so on. Once fall and winter arrive, those same vending machines will be filled with cans of hot coffee, hot bottles of tea, and even cans of corn soup! But even in winter, you'll be able to buy a cold bottle of cola from the same vending machine that will sell you a can of warm soup at the same time.
Over the past few years, more technologically advanced vending machines have also been popping up all over Japan! You'll find vending machines with touch panel displays, especially in stations or large shopping centers in big cities, and some of these vending machines can even tell you the time or the weather!
Some vending machines allow you to use apps on your phone or transportation cards like SUICA or PASMO to buy drinks, so you don't need to carry around cash to buy a drink from a vending machine. Some of these machines even have point systems if you pay using their app, so you'll be able to spend your points once to get free drinks.
So while vending machines in Japan are incredibly convenient, perhaps the most exciting thing about them is that you'll be able to find ones all over Japan that sell food or goods that you would never expect to be able to buy from a vending machine. So now let's dive into some unique vending machines you might stumble across as you travel to Japan.
Unique Vending Machines Worth Checking Out
While there are vending machines in Japan that sell snacks, cigarettes, or alcohol, they are not particularly unique or exciting, even if these kinds of items can't be found in vending machines in your own country. So instead of these, let's look at some truly unique things you can find in vending machines in Japan.
・Green Tea Packet Machines
Chabacco is a company selling green tea powder packets, but looking at the vending machine and the packaging you wouldn't know it. The name "Chabacco" comes from combining the Japanese word for tea, "cha" with "tobacco." As the name implies, the boxes these packets come in look like vintage cigarette boxes, and different vending machines in different locations sell different designs. There are even limited-edition designs available, so if you wanted to you could start collecting all of the different boxes.
If you're in Tokyo, the MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya Main Store has Chabacco vending machines, but they can also be found in other locations all over Japan. Check out where to find the machines here (Japanese only).
・Dashi Vending Machines
Dashi is a fish-based cooking stock that is absolutely essential for Japanese cuisine. Usually, people just buy it in stores or make it on their own, but one company is now selling dashi in vending machines. This company, Dashi Douraku, specializes in dashi made from grilled flying fish, and you can find vending machines selling bottles of their dashi in cities all over Japan. You can check out the list of locations here (Japanese only).
・Ramen
In a few locations in Tokyo, you can find vending machines run by Yokai Express that will prepare and cook ramen for you inside the machine! There's one machine inside Haneda Airport and another in Ueno Station. You can learn more here.
・Frozen Foods
You'll also find vending machines scattered around Japan that sell a variety of frozen foods, including gyoza dumplings, ramen, udon, and more! These are sometimes found in front of the restaurants that make these dishes, making it incredibly easy to get a takeout meal from them.
・Hanko
A hanko is a personal seal or stamp that Japanese people use instead of a signature for signing important documents, such as when opening a bank account or signing a contract. Usually, you would have to go to a store that specifically makes hankos to get one, but some Don Quijote locations have vending machines that allow you to create your own custom hanko! If you're living in Japan, this is one easy way to get yourself a hanko, but it also makes for a great souvenir if you're just visiting! You could make seals for your family and friends and bring those back with you too.
Click here to see a list of Don Quijote locations that have hanko vending machines, along with English instructions for how to make one.
Explore Japan's Vending Machines!
These are just a few of the more unique vending machines you'll find in Japan. There are many more waiting to be discovered, including some that will cook pizza for you, some that sell cakes in cans, and more! You could live in Japan for years and still discover new vending machines selling unique products as you travel around the country.
With many vending machines now accepting credit cards, transportation cards like SUICA and ICOCA, or even payment using apps, buying from a vending machine in Japan has never been easier. So while you're in Japan, be sure to take advantage of everything vending machines have to offer!
And since you can't walk more than a block in Tokyo without finding another vending machine, you have no excuse!
