Walking around Japan, you’re bound to see vending machines at almost every street corner. In fact, there are over 2.7 million of these machines placed throughout the country.
* Reference: Japan Vending System Manufacturers Association (as of late December 2021)
Here, we’ll be introducing the many vending machines in Japan discovered by the att.JAPAN editorial team. You won’t be able to resist stopping and trying them out!
Vending machines are automated machines from which consumers can purchase various products and services upon payment. While most typically offer bottled and canned drinks, variations are multiplying, from those that sell fresh produce and frozen foods to those with extremely unique features.
The most common type of vending machine in Japan. This one is wrapped with a cute Godzilla design.
A driver’s license is required to purchase from this type of vending machine!
A tobacco shop’s cigarette vending machine. If you’re lucky, you can meet Wasabi, the tobacco shop’s very own cat! You must also have the “Taspo” IC card to purchase cigarettes from a vending machine.
“Chabacco” is a stick-type powdered tea sold inside cigarette box-like packages. In addition to its cute, retro design, there is also limited-edition packaging. You’ll be tempted to collect them all!
Check out the vending machine locations here: https://www.chabacco.jp/shop/index
A “Petit Mall” of vending machines operated by confectionary company Bourbon Corporation Japan. You can find this mini-mall throughout Japan, most often in train stations.
These cakes are presented in transparent containers, giving you a look at their stunning layers!
This fresh flower vending machine stands next to the canned cake vending machine. You can buy flowers at the push of a button, whether for yourself or as a small gift.
In hopes of promoting interest in Japan’s edible insects, the product lineup focuses on edible insects produced exclusively in Japan.
This vending machine has it all, from “Tako Rice,” a rice brand from Tako, the local specialty Yamato-imo (Japanese yams), to roasted sweet potatoes. We went ahead and tried the yams!
You can purchase a minimum of 10 fresh eggs for 180 yen, 24 hours a day. While visiting the countryside, you just might find these locker-style egg vending machines!
You can buy peeled or unpeeled, fresh-cut apples with honey sauce for around 200 yen any time you want.
Enjoy a cup of fresh, machine-squeezed orange juice made from 3-4 oranges for 500 yen!
As its name suggests, this vending machine offers 17 different flavors of ice cream. Placed in train stations, parks, and amusement parks throughout Japan, you will come across this one quite often.
This array of vending machines features local cuisine such as roast beef, Korean food, and yakitori (skewered chicken). There is even a microwave placed nearby that allows you to eat on the spot!
This vending machine offers three types of gyoza made by the restaurant “Naniwa-no Ponchan Gyoza.” We couldn’t resist trying some ourselves! Small and juicy, they’re so delicious you won’t get enough.
A frozen ramen vending machine next to a ramen restaurant. Savoring the restaurant’s flavors just got even easier!
A vending machine for dashi broth, an indispensable ingredient in Japanese food. You can easily purchase “Dashi Douraku,” a condiment made with grilled and dried flying fish. The vending machine is located in various regions throughout Japan, with 25 in Tokyo alone.
You can find them all here: https://dashidouraku.com/machine/
This vending machine offers about 20 types of instant noodles. It’s a great stop for those who missed out on buying souvenirs!
“Fueki Nori,” the star product of an Osaka stationery manufacturer, has been gaining popularity for its retro cute charm. Candies, caramels, and other sweets tucked inside its adorable packaging make for the perfect Osaka souvenir.
A unique Osaka spot known only to a select few! For as little as 10 yen, you can buy bottled drinks usually sold at 100-150 yen at other vending machines. Two of the vending machines drop a randomly selected drink for 10 yen, while the other offers a selection of 50-yen drinks (as of early May 2022). When we tried the 10-yen vending machine, we got a grape-flavored drink concocted to combat the summer heat.
Akechi Mitsuhide was a Sengoku Period busho (samurai general) with deep connections to the city of Fukuchiyama. At this vending machine, the character of Mitsuhide talks and sings upon pressing the purchase button. There are six of these vending machines throughout the city.
Some vending machines take advantage of their public locations, protecting cities by being equipped with security cameras. One such vending machine exists at the foot of the Shinjuku Toho Building, home of the “Godzilla head” landmark in the Kabukicho district of Shinjuku. The vending machine also boasts a Godzilla design, making it safe to say that Godzilla is constantly monitoring the safety of Shinjuku.
Though this vending machine typically sells coffee in paper cups, it will temporarily serve free drinks during disasters. Having access to warm drinks during difficult times will surely help uplift spirits.
This “Yubi Bokin” donation vending machine allows you to donate 2 yen for every drink purchased. Each vending machine specifies which charity your money will be going to, whether for disaster relief or barrier-free charities.
Pre-order a drink online using the app “acure pass” and present a QR code to receive your purchase on-site at the vending machine. You can also buy a drink for a special someone by sending them the QR code. These vending machines are located inside JR East Japan train stations, mainly in the metropolitan area.
Get a one-of-a-kind fruit latte with a customized drink and label design. Pre-order from the app and present your QR code to receive your drink at the store vending machine. Placing the order under a favorite idol’s name or based on their member color are popular ways people purchase their drinks.
Carefully selected eels from around Japan are sold in frozen packs here. You can choose between two types—shiroyaki (plain grilled) and kabayaki (sauce-grilled)—and various sizes from 100g to 200g. The packs conveniently come with a cooling gel to keep them fresh.
Frozen meals featuring squid from Saga in Kyushu are available, including rice bowl toppings, shumai dumplings, and squid preserved in oil. You can also find fried horse mackerel from Nagasaki. Perfect as a side dish or with drinks!
A wide variety of regional Japanese retort pouch curries are available here—some with unique and surprising flavors!
How nice to be able to enjoy a delicious hot pot at home so easily!
This vending machine was installed by the bakery “Pan no Kura Honone.” It offers items like freshly baked bread and donuts.
You can purchase fugu (pufferfish) and sea bream, shipped directly from the source. The vending machine is located in a waiting area inside an exchange facility adjacent to Tsuruga Station.
High-quality Miyazaki beef is available at Shinagawa Station. A variety of cuts are offered—perfect for meat lovers!
These sweets are made with rich Hokkaido fresh cream. Some are even inspired by the adorable shima enaga (a native long-tailed tit bird)—almost too cute to eat!
These sandwiches are from Sandria, a hugely popular sandwich shop in Sapporo. Since they often sell out by evening, timing your visit is key to snagging your favorites.
