Thursday, August 12, 2010

Japan #6 – Vending Machines

Japan is vending machine heaven!


In fact, Japan has the highest number of vending machines per capita, with about one machine for every twenty-three people (note: they have a population of 128 million!)


You will find vending machines at train stations.


On the side of streets.


I was expecting to find vending machines that sold really random things but the only vending machines I found where ones that dispensed water, soft drinks, juice, coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, icecream, cup noodles and family planning items (ie: condoms). I can’t complain, these are pretty much the necessities of life and I didn’t even have to show my proof of age card.


Being in Japan in July meant that the weather was really hot and humid. It was very convenient to find vending machines practically everywhere you went so that you could get a thirst quencher at anytime of the day.


My first vending machine purchase – House Wellness Physical Drink Vitamin Lemon


Pocari Sweat
The most purchased item at vending machines was a bottle of Pocari Sweat. After a whole day of walking around Japan and sweating it out in the humidity, a Pocari Sweat is what you need to revitalize yourself. 


Pocari Sweat supplies to the drinker all of the nutrients and electrolytes lost when sweating. 


If you are unconvinced by the powers of Pocari Sweat, see below.


Before drinking Pocari Sweat.


After drinking Pocari Sweat.


Family Planning Vending Machine
(Birth Control and Prevention of Diseases)

Icecream Vending Machine

Cigarette Vending Machine

Coffee Vending Machine



Cup Noodle Vending Machine


Vending Machine with a mini screen that showed advertisements



4 comments:

  1. I swear I saw a vending machine in Tokyo that dispensed hot food! Like chips and hot dogs! How is that possible?!?!

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  2. I think the vending machines are seasonal and in winter there are vending machines which dispense hot food and drinks.

    How it is possible? Japan makes anything possible!

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  3. Really well done for the blog.these are so sweet and pretty!

    Coffee Vending Machines

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  4. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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