An Ignoramus in Japan: Vending Machines

I am not a complete dummy when it comes to vending machines. We do have vending machines in the Philippines but they are few and far between. And it's usually just for cold bottled and canned drinks, or coffee, or junk food.

In Japan vending machines are ubiquitous. It seems to appear every few hundred steps. One or two in every corner. Or twelve in a row! There are the usual machines that sell bottled/canned drinks. With some machines selling cold drinks only, some hot drinks only, some a combination. There are machines that sell beer only. There are machines that sell wine.

Twelve machines in a row!

There are machines that sell coffee, banana milk, strawberry milk, banana chocolate milk, green tea dispensed in a paper cup. Hot or cold.

Hmmm...what shall I have? Coffee, banana milk, strawberry milk, banana chocolate?

There are machines that sell biscuits, waffles, bread, sandwiches, milk, juice, and other drinks—all in one machine. A mini convenience store.

And then there are machines that sell ice cream. Perfect for a hot day. Or even a cold day! Who says you can only eat ice cream during summer?

Ice cream

And then there are those for the health nuts. How about some sliced apples?

Sliced apples

And if you need something to occupy yourself on your daily commute you can catch up on current events or immerse yourself in some fiction. But only if you can read Japanese.

Newspapers

Books

Too stressed from work or the rush hour traffic or something and need your nicotine fix?

Cigarettes

And when you get home you realize you have no time to make dashi (soup stock)! Just get a bottle of flying fish soup stock round the corner.

Those are what I have seen in the few days I was in Japan. My friend, Bunny, who recently went to Japan, spotted a machine for hotdogs, takoyaki (octopus balls), deep fried chicken, fries, burgers, and riceballs!

Photo by Bunny

I hear there are also vending machines for umbrellas, underwear, socks, neckties, eggs, bananas, oranges, and ramen!



Japan
Know Before You Go
Single Entry Tourist Visa for Japan
Roam Around Japan with a Swagger
An Ignoramus in Japan: Vending Machines (you're here!)
An Ignoramus in Japan: Bathrooms and Toilets
An Ignoramus in Japan: Manhole Covers
I Spy With My Little Eye: Japan's Fashion Contradictions
I Spy With My Little Eye: On the Go in Japan

From Tokyo to Hiroshima (2015)
10D/9N | Tokyo, Toyama, Kyoto, Hyogo, Osaka, Hiroshima
Tokyo Accommodation: Shinjuku Airbnb
Tokyo: Memorable Tokyo Eats
Tokyo: Odaiba
Tokyo: Doing Touristy Things in Tokyo
Toyama: A Hamlet Called Ainokura
Kyoto Accommodation: K's House Hostel Kyoto
Kyoto, Japanecdote: Wisdom from the Road: On exits #2
Kyoto: By the Thousands (Kyoto Imperial Palace, Sanjusangendo, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove)
Kyoto, Japanecdote: Turning Japanese
Kyoto: Braving the Crowds at these UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto (Kiyomizu-dera, Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji)
Hyogo, Japanecdote: If Only I Could Speak Nihongo
Hyogo: Day Trip to Himeji: Himeji Castle and Shoshazan Engyoji Temple
Hyogo, Japanecdote: Am I an Alien?
Hiroshima: Strolling and Snacking in Miyajima
Hiroshima: Remembering the Past in Hiroshima
Osaka, Japanecdote: How to Lose Friends
Osaka Accommodation: Osaka Airbnb
Osaka, Japanecdote: Where is Bentencho Station?
Osaka: Osaka Adlaw, Osaka Ako sa Osaka
Osaka, Japanecdote: Learn From Your Mistakes

Kansai Diaries (2016)
9D/9N | Nov 2016 | Wakayama, Nara, Kyoto, Osaka
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kansai Region
Osaka: Day 0: Arrival
Osaka Accommodations: Hotel Raizan, Hotel Mikado
Wakayama: Day 1: Going to, Sleeping in, and Eating in Koyasan
Wakayama: Day 1.5: West Side of Koya Town
Wakayama: Koyasan Sidewalk Shorts
Wakayama: Days 1.75~2: Okunoin, Three Times
Nara: Sleep, Eat, and Explore Nara City
Nara: Day 3: Horyuji, Hokkiji, and Some Japanecdotes in Ikaruga Town
Nara: Day 3.5: Yakushiji, Toshodaiji, and Heijo Palace Site in Nara City
Nara: Day 4: Early Morning at Nara Park
Nara: Day 4.25: Naramachi Walking Tour
Nara: Day 4.5: Todaiji, Yoshiki-en, and Kofukuji in Nara Park
Kyoto Accommodations: Guesthouse Wind Villa, Shiori Yado
Kyoto: Day 5: Rainy Day in Uji City
Kyoto: Day 5.5: Tofukuji, Kawai Jinja, Shimogamo Jinja
Kyoto: Day 6: Ginkakuji, Ryoanji, Ninnaji
Kyoto: Day 6.75: Gion Night Walking Tour
Kyoto: Day 7: All Day in Arashiyama
Kyoto: Day 8: Last Day in Kyoto
Osaka: Day 8.75: Dizzying Dotonbori
Osaka: Day 9: Osaka, Over and Out