Airports, train stations, and street corners around the world have vending machines, but they usually stop at chips and cold drinks. But, this country does this very differently and takes it up to the next lever. In short, they go much further. Here, vending machines appear in the middle of crowded cities, quiet rural roads, and almost everywhere where you can’t even imagine—and what they sell can be genuinely surprising. From fresh eggs and hot meals to umbrellas and collectibles, Japan has turned vending machines into an everyday curiosity.
A country powered by vending machines
With an estimated four million vending machines nationwide, Japan has one of the highest machine-to-people ratios in the world. They are so deeply woven into daily life that you might often come across them where you least expect them, and sometimes, what’s inside is far from ordinary.
Drinks, but not just cold cans
Most machines do sell beverages, but even the basics feel elevated. Hot and cold canned coffee, tea, and soup are common, and machines adjust their offerings based on the weather. Brands such as Kirin, Asahi, and DyDo operate machines that shift inventory with the seasons, serving warm drinks in winter and chilled ones in summer.Alcohol also makes an appearance. In certain neighbourhoods and rural areas, vending machines dispense beer, sake, shochu, and chu-hai cocktails. Some require age verification through a TASPO card, reflecting Japan’s strict alcohol regulations. Read more: This Karnataka village found buried gold during construction—but it’s not a treasure. Here’s why
Full meals at the press of a button
Japanese food vending machines do not stop at vending treats such as snacks. They can be used to heat up meals like soba noodles, curry dishes, rice meals, hamburgers, among others. Some can be found in Gunma, which have remained operational since the 1980s. New ones are equipped with advanced equipment.Cup noodle vending machines by Nissin can frequently be seen in train stations as well as dormitory rooms. Dessert vending machines can provide customers with jarred cakes, mochis, canned bread, as well as ice cream. This can especially be seen in areas such as Harajuku and Shibuya, where appearance is just as important as taste.
Eggs, bananas, and bottled broth
Fresh produce is where Japan’s vending machines become truly unexpected. Bananas are sold daily from machines inside Shibuya Station, stocked by Dole Japan. In rural areas, simple vending huts sell fresh eggs and rice around the clock, often operated directly by local farmers.Some machines take novelty further. Dashidouraku sells bottled dashi broth containing a whole flying fish inside the bottle. Takeo Tokyo operates insect vending machines offering edible crickets and beetles, marketed as protein-rich snacks.
Built for emergencies
Japan’s vending machines are also used during disaster situations. In several districts across Hyogo Prefecture, for instance, vending machines are equipped with a function that unlocks during disasters, providing free food and drink items near the shelters. Others are equipped to function during power outages, utilizing solar panels to provide services.Read more: This traveller spent 13 days in Afghanistan and says online narratives miss the truth; challenges the misconception that women can’t travel there safely
Anime, souvenirs, and surprises
In Akihabara and other areas dedicated to pop culture, vending machines are used to sell anime-themed products, capsule machines, mystery boxes, and other collectibles. Gachapon machines are abundant in entire buildings. They sell all sorts of things, such as figurines and enamel pins.Tourist spots are placed with these machines carrying local specialties such as momiji manju from Hiroshima, jingisukan from Hokkaido, matcha sweets from Kyoto, and street food-flavored snacks from Osaka. Even major transport hubs are now home to souvenir vending machines for the busy tourist.
Umbrellas, shirts, and commuter fixes
Vending machines also cater to daily emergencies. Face masks, toothbrush kits, deodorant, socks, neckties, and dress shirts are commonly available in business districts and transport hubs. During the rainy season, umbrella vending machines appear in select locations, offering quick relief when the weather turns.
Cashless, convenient, and everywhere
Although older machines or machines in rural areas still offer coin and note options, modern machines in cities like Tokyo offer IC card systems like Suica and PASMO, credit card systems, and mobile payment systems. The machines are user-friendly due to the availability of English language options and the convenience of using credit cards.One might think little of vending machines, but they say a great deal about Japan—who values convenience, dependability, and ingenuity above all, sometimes serving up an umbrella for sale or a meal or a tale you weren’t expecting.