The Truth About Japanese Vending Machines

Japan and vending machines seem to go hand-in-hand. They are everywhere and you can bet you are never far from one when you're in Japan. There is around 1 vending machine for ever 23 people in Japan. It's so convenient as you never need to worry about taking drinks with you as there is always a vending machine to hand to dispense you some Pocari Sweat (Sports drink that doesn't taste of sweat) or some cold milk tea. And what they offer can be a little of the normal track such as beer and cigarettes (You need a special ID for these as they are age restricted), ice-cream, fruit and veg, hot food like chips, ice, souvenirs, milk, ties and I could go on; however, I am still see the urban myth of the used ladies underwear vending machines, for the discerning fetish-freak (I don't know, some Japanese men are odd when it comes to underwear). Of course, some are much less common, but the drinks vending machines are everywhere. In the winter parts are changed over to off hot beverages. The ice coffee and tea, turns to warm coffee and tea. People are paid money to place vending machines at the front of their homes or businesses as a kind of renting space.

But there are three reasons why only really Japan has so many vending machines in my view. 1) Nobody is going to steal them. If you placed a vending machine in the middle of nowhere in the UK, someone would break it or steal it. Japanese people won't do that. Japan is safe. 2) Japanese people, and this is a sweeping generalisation I know, try to avoid contact with others. They don't have as strong people skills and by using a vending machine takes out the worry of an awkward interaction. 3) They are fast and convenient, as Japanese people like convenience and they work too long to waste time, vending machines suit their needs.