Cult of Japanese Vending Machines

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The joy of Japanese vending machines – from hot sauce to horse mackerel, gyoza to gachapon, there is a huge variety of vending machines in Japan to browse and buy from.

frozen meat vending machine Japan — *Premium frozen meat vending machine*

Open 24 hours and easy to use, no trip to Japan is complete without using a vending machine to buy daily groceries like soft drinks and snacks (or even soup stock).

There even more ‘adult’ vending machines in Japan like ‘Tenga toys’ or tobacco top-ups.

There are literally millions of automated machines all over the country, from train stations to street corners. From prices to unusual products, here is our ultimate guide to Japanese vending machines in 2024:

frozen meals vending machine Japan — *Frozen meals*

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How many vending machines are there in Japan?

Vending machines are so popular in Japan and a regular part of daily life. As of 2024, there are over 4 million vending machines in Japan, all over the country, operating 24/7.

Even though there are over 55,000 convenience stores in Japan (including stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Daily Yamazaki), Japan is so densely populated that many apartments are quite a long walk from these konbinis – so automated vending machines on street corners or in apartment lobbies are a common occurrence.

Incredibly, the number of vending machines in Japan has decreased in recent years from over 5 million machines at the start of the century down to 4 million; due to the country’s declining population and increased competition with convenience stores.

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The history of Japanese vending machines

Vending machines in Japan are a common occurrence and the Japanese were one of the first countries in the world to adopt automated machines to buy soft drinks and other frequently purchased household goods.

The first vending machine in Japan was said to have been invented in 1888 dispensing tobacco, invented by furniture designer Tawaraya Koshichi in Shimonoseki.

Uji green tea ice cream vending machine Japan — *Uji green tea ice cream*

It was in the 1950s that fully automated vending machines became widespread across Japan including fountain style soda servers that cost just 10 Yen a ‘pop’.

Then a game-changer happened in the 1970s – the introduction of Japanese vending machines that could serve both hot and cold drinks at the same time.

Hokkaido milk desserts Sapporo Japan vending machine — *Hokkaido milk desserts*

Since then, vending machines have become an iconic yet everyday item in Japan, located in offices, stations, shopping centres and streets across the country – with mobile payments increasingly accepted, they are now easier to use than ever.

Handmade bread bakery Japanese vending machine — *Handmade bread*

tofu Japanese vending machine — *Tofu products*

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Why are Japanese vending machines so popular?

Although the main focus for most curious travellers is about the more weird and wonderful / unusual vending machines in Japan, the simple matter of fact is that most vending machines in Japan are a little more mundane and pedestrian, selling snacks and drinks.

Many people prefer to use vending machines to buy regular items as it saves time by not going to the nearest convenience stores (and many Japanese prefer the anonymity of using vending machines over going to shops).

One of the main reasons for the high frequency of vending machines in Japan is the support infrastructure (vending machine restocking vans and workers are a common sight), plus the low crime rates in Japan – vending machines are so rarely vandalized or broken into.

With the highest density of vending machines in the world, Japan is said to have about 1 vending machine for every 30 people in the country.

Fried horse mackerel vending machine Japan — *Fried horse mackerel*

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Popular Japanese vending machine products

With over 4 million vending machines in Japan, the vast majority of these sell common day to day food and beverage items such as :

Coffee

The Japanese are one of the biggest consumers of coffee in the world so coffee vending machines are one of the most popular sights.

Although relatively common now, Japan was one of the first countries in the world to introduce vending machines that could distribute both cold and hot cans of coffee.

Coffees cost 100 Yen upwards from machines in Japan.

Beer and Highball vending machines

Although not as common an occurrence as we’d have liked, beer vending machines pop up in city areas like Shinsekai in Osaka.

We’ve also spotted them in really rural areas like the incredibly beautiful and tranquil Saga Toriimoto preserved street on the outer edges of Arashiyama, Kyoto.

Amazingly, there is no age approval process on the Japanese highball vending machines we saw (although modern beer vending machines apparently have an age verification system using IC Cards).

So we guess under 18 year olds don’t try to use them (imagine that in the UK/ Europe / the USA – chaos would ensue). Another reason why we love Japan so much!

A small can of beer or highball from a Japanese vending machine usually costs around 170 Yen (around £1 or $1 USD).

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Soft drinks

Most of the Japanese soft drink manufacturers like Asahi, Kirin and Calpi have their own vending machines which exclusively stock their products – cans usually cost around the 100 Yen mark.

If you can try, look out for the Asahi Mitsuya Craft Cola – this is a local Japanese cola with citrus fruits and several other spices. It is SO much better than regular Coca-Cola or Pepsi and tastes incredible. Mitsuya Craft Cola is the best cola in Japan in our (unexpert) opinion.

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Health / energy drinks

Fatigue reducing / energy drink machines are increasingly popular in Japan.

These drinks are usually more expensive than the standard soft drinks and coffee vending machines and dispense everything from cod roe tablets to ‘healthy herbal’ drinks.

Health / energy drinks Japanese vending machine

Other popular vending machine types in Japan include cigarette vending machines, bus and train tickets and potato chip / crisp vending machines.

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Unusual Japanese vending machine items

Whilst the vast majority of vending machines in Japan sell everyday household grocery items or daily drinks, these are some of the more unusual vending machines in Japan (with photos) we’ve spotted:

Hot sauce vending machine

Hot stuff – Sriracha hot sauce can be purchased for 700 Yen a bottle, the perfect way to spice up your lunch or bento box whilst out and about.

Sriracha hot sauce Japanese vending machine

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Okonomiyaki vending machine

Japan’s favourite pancake, the cabbage okonomiyaki, is available in frozen form to take home, heat and eat.

Okonomiyaki vending machine prices start from 900 Yen upwards.

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Gyoza vending machines

Frozen gyoza to bring home, fry and try – take our Yen now!

Cheese vending machine

Cheesy does it! Yes, there are cute cheese vending machines in Japan that also sell other milky merchandise like butter, grated cheese and cheese triangles. Definitely one to mark in your dairy…sorry, diary.

Cake in a can vending machine

We spotted this cake in a can vending machine in Fukuoka’s Canal City Hakata Mall but they are quite popular in Japanese shopping malls – sweet as.

Various cake in a can flavours are available and cost around 1200 Yen per portion.

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Fish / cod roe vending machine

This Japanese vending machine may sound ‘fishy’ but this ‘cool as’ cod chiller and dispenser saves you having to go to the fishmongers.

Flower vending machines

Blooming lovely. We spotted several flower vending machines in train stations where last minute bouquets and bunches of flowers can be bought.

Bouquet flowers Japanese vending machine

Ramen stock vending machines

Hopefully these vending machines never run out of ‘stock’ – ramen stock vending machines are quite popular to take home and use with oodles of noodles.

ramen stock broth Japanese vending machine

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TENGA vending machines

Yes, as you would expect from a country that has weird and wonderful vending machines for everything, you can buy TENGA’s products from automated vending machines.

Aimed at taking away the embarrassment from potential TENGA cup purchasers who might not want to browse the adult section of Don Quijote.

TENGA booths and vending machines have popped up in the past few years, located in areas protected by curtains, so men can make discrete purchases.

These vending machines are open 24 hours a day (a bit like their disposable cups really) and are usually located in the more adult entertainment districts of Japan.

Other unusual vending machines in Japan include stamp machines, hot-dog and burger vending machines, edible insects machines and green tea machines (a matcha made in heaven!)

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Themed / character vending machines

In a similar fashion to themed Japanese manhole covers, you’ll often spot themed vending machines with cartoon characters on the side, like huge Hello Kitty cabinets!

We spotted several Pokemon / Pikachu vending machines across our travels in Japan like this one below. Gachapon vending machines too often have cartoon character branding too.

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What is the Japanese for vending machines?

Vending machines in Japan are referred to as ‘Jihanki’ or ‘Jidōhanbaiki’ (“自動販売機”).

trading card Japanese vending machine — *Trading cards*

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Other things to know about Japanese vending machines

Vending machines are available to use 24 /7 and are generally in good working order

Japanese vending machines have been known to generate sales of over $40billion USD in one year – big business indeed!

Many vending machine companies also have apps linked to purchases so that consumers earn points or can win prizes every time they make a purchase.

Lucky box vending machines are one of the latest novelty items to appear – effectively, these are mystery box vending machines where you don’t know what you are going to get!

New for 2024, Coca-Cola are said to be trialling dynamic pricing vending machines that charge more for drinks during busier periods and lowered at night. Coca-Cola has over 700,000 vending machines in Japan.