I recently spent a week in Japan. And if you ever go to Japan, maybe the first thing you’ll notice is all the vending machines. Japan really is the vending machine capital of the world.
There are many reasons for all the vending machines: convenience, ease of installing a vending machine, and low overhang being top among them. Whatever the reasons, they are cool and special. Let’s examine some that caught my attention.
Even though I brought a water bottle to Japan, I was glad to have these lovely machines all over the place because of all the walking I did over the week.
There are even vending machines for cigarettes and beer.
You do need a special card to buy the cigarettes. However, to buy a beer, all you need is money. Whenever I see these ones, I always wonder how long they’d last in Canada before they were broken into. A day? An hour? It wouldn’t be long.
Buying a beer is just that easy.
Not all vending machines sell drinks. Be careful and choose wisely.
You will see many people restocking the vending machines. Vending machines actually make lots of money.
Some of the more rundown vending machines in a poorer area of Osaka.
Some cigarette and beer vending machines outside a shop in Osaka.
So, if you happen to go to Japan, say hi to the ubiquitous vending machine and only buy beer if you are 20 or over. Of course, it’s important to drink responsibly and don’t smoke!
Formosa>Ex 