Types of Vending Machines in Japan
Japan is a country with many vending machines. These primarily sell juice, alcohol or cigarettes but there are also vending machines that sell a wide variety of products such as snacks, ice-cream, udon or ramen and oden (vegetables, eggs and fish cakes in broth). At the end of 2007, the number of vending machines in Japan was 5,405,300 (of which 48.8% sold drinks. Information from a survey by the Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association.) and Japan is by far number one in the world for the number of outdoor vending machines and the variety of products sold.
It is fun on a trip to Japan to look out for unusual vending machines.
●Usage method
Insert coins or notes into the slot (it is only possible to use 100 yen / 50 yen / 10 yen coins and 1,000 yen notes). You will receive your change automatically after you have purchased the product.
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When the buttons turn red, press the button of the product that you wish to purchase.
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Remove the product from the slot. If you press the wrong product button, press the cancel button and start the process from the beginning.
【Drinks vending machines】
These are the most common type of vending machine. They sell 20 – 30 types of drinks, particularly green tea and cold drinks. Prices are generally 120 yen for a 350ml can and 150 yen for a 500ml plastic bottle.
【Alcohol vending machines】
These are mostly beer or Chuhai (highballs containing shochu (type of sake) and flavoured with fruit or soda) vending machines. Prices are around 150 yen for a 350ml can of Happoshu (low-malt beer) which has become popular recently, around 240 yen for a 350ml can of beer and around 150 yen for a can of Chuhai. Please note that these vending machines cannot be used after 11pm.
【Cigarette vending machines】
In Japan, as a part of measures to prevent underage smoking, from March, 2008 cigarette vending machines can only be used with an IC card (Taspo) that can only be obtained by adults. Currently, it is not possible to purchase cigarettes from most vending machines unless you have a Taspo card.