As we’ve staggered around dehydrated in hot temperatures, we’ve often been very grateful to see a vending machine.
Vending machines are ubiquitous here, on streets, in stations, by crossroads in the country, even at the top of Mount Fuji. In fact, Japan has the highest usage per person of vending machine anywhere in the world. This is most likely due to the law abiding nature of its citizens resulting in a total lack of vandalism, and the Japanese’s love of automation, they always work and even give change!
In addition to chilled drinks, they dispense a wide variety of snacks, fresh sandwiches and sweets.
Vending machines are such a part of the Japanese psyche that one marketing director used them as a spoof for selling a new line of made-to-measure bras. They weren’t really supplied by vending machines, but it got everyone talking about the bra’s brand on social media.