Ever since the first vending machine launched in Japan in 1888 in the form of a tobacco dispenser, these self-serve machines have become a defining part of modern Japanese life and culture.
With more vending machines per capita than any other country in the world, it’s no wonder many of the most varied and innovative machines come from Japan.
In this blog, we’ll be taking a look at the array of vending machines that exist in Japan, the unique features they have, and the most popular drinks and snacks that you’ll find in them around the country.
Types of Japanese Vending Machines
Undoubtedly, one of the most fascinating things about Japanese vending machines is that they’re far more varied than the vending machines you see in the US and many other Western countries.
Along with cold drink and snack vending machines, Japan also has the following:
- Hot drink vending machines including coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc.
- Food vending machines that include instant noodles, hot meals, and fresh fruit and vegetables
- Ice cream vending machines
- Alcohol vending machines - these typically require age verification and include beverages such as beer and sake
- Specialty item vending machines that dispense items like umbrellas, electronics, cosmetics, and books and magazines
- Seasonal vending machines, including warm clothing for the winter and cooling items for the summer
- Cigarette vending machines - again, these typically require age verification
- Stationery/office supply vending machines - pens, notebooks, and other common office essentials
Unique Features of Japanese Vending Machines
Japan is known for its technological innovations, and these very innovations also shine through in its vending machines.
One of the more notable innovations in recent times is the integration of AI functionality into some vending machines.
The AI cafe robot, developed by Tokyo-based New Innovations, can customise the coffee it prepares for different users by assessing their preferences. It asks how they like their coffee - strong, weak, bitter, smooth, hot, cold, etc. Users can preorder the coffee online to retrieve it from a designated vending machine.
Another AI-driven vending machine, Kate iCon Box, dispenses cosmetics. It has a camera that takes a photo of a user’s face. It assesses the user’s features (face shape, location of eyelids, skin tone, etc.) within a matter of one or two minutes.
It then recommends four optimal colors for the user (derived from more than 360,000 combinations) to try out. The user gets a preview of how these colors would look via a monitor attached to the vending machine.
Some vending machines also use simpler AI to recommend different drinks or snacks depending on the weather and time of day.
Japanese vending machines can also be highly interactive, including games, animations, and even music that will play as the user makes their selection.
Vending machines that stock items that could be essential in an emergency (water, food, blankets, etc.) may allow users to access these items without charge in the event of a natural disaster.
Where to Find Japanese Vending Machines
Chances are you won’t have to look far to find a vending machine in Japan. Recent counts indicate that Japan currently has about 5.5 million vending machines nationwide. This equates to around one machine for every 23 people.
While some machines may only feature in specific areas (high-traffic areas, malls, etc.), you’ll find more than enough of them in major cities, suburbs, and tourist hotspots.
Popular Drinks and Snacks in Japanese Vending Machines
Some of the most popular options for drinks and snacks you’ll find in Japanese vending machines include:
Drinks
- Green tea.
- Coffee.
- Alcoholic beverages including beer, chuhai, and sake.
- Soft drinks that include famous Japanese brands like Calpis and Pocari Sweat.
- Milk and yogurt drinks - canned milk, flavored milk, and yogurt-based drinks.
Snacks
- Chocolates and candies, including traditional Japanese candies such as Wagashi.
- Rice balls (onigiri) with savory fillings such as tuna and salmon.
- Instant noodles including instant ramen, soba, and udon noodles.
- Dried seafood such as dried squid and fish jerky.
- Baked goods, including Japanese favorites like taiyaki, matcha cookies, and dorayaki.
There’s so much variety when it comes to Japanese vending machines and the snacks and beverages they feature.
If you’d like to experience a sample of the kinds of snacks you may find in vending machines throughout Japan, be sure to check out the range of delicious snack box sets and standalone snacks available at Sakura Box.
Our Dagashi boxes come in the following sizes:
If you have any questions about our range of snack boxes and other products, you can visit our Contact page to view our most frequently asked questions or to get in touch.