Vending Machine Series in Japan (Part 1)

In Japan, an average of 23 people own a vending machine. These machines not only sell food, beverages and groceries, but also a range of magical goods.

Today, let's take a look at how the vending machines on the streets of Japan contract people's daily life.

1. Self-service hot spring gas station

Many hot springs in Japan Hot spring vending machines

Recently, Japan has launched hot spring takeaway, but long before that, Japanese residents can "pack" hot springs by themselves in front of vending machines. In hot spring resorts such as Lake Toya and Hakone, there are hot spring vending machines similar to gas stations.

2. Non-contact nucleic acid detection

PCR test kit vending machines in many places in Japan

Following the sale of hot springs, Japanese vending machines continued to open their minds. After the outbreak of the new crown epidemic, self-test kits were put on the shelves, and nucleic acid tests can be performed at home.

A complete set of sampling tools, mailing envelopes and instructions are provided in the test kit. Users only need to follow the instructions to collect test samples and receive test results within a few days after they are sent out.

3. Adult-only hidden tin hut

Japanese Countryside Adult Products Vending Machine

In Japan, which is rich in adult culture, vending machines in the past were also responsible for selling adult comics, videos and various supplies.

These machines are usually housed in secluded tin huts in the countryside, like a lonely barn full of mystery.

The tin house's eco-friendly lighting system lights up whenever someone walks in, and buyers need to pass an age verification system with vending machine cameras.

After the development of the Internet, such vending machine huts are no longer popular, but have become a unique cultural landscape in the countryside.

4. Japanese paper crafts that detonated the Internet

Origami Vending Machine, Uchiko Town Okano Store, Ehime Prefecture

Washi paper, which is common in Japan, has been skillfully processed into cute origami toys and put into vending machines for sale, and it has immediately become a popular small item that is widely acclaimed.

A grandmother in Ehime prefecture made 18 origami paper from washi paper and put it into a vending machine, selling it at a price of 10-50 yen, attracting many foreign tourists to buy it.

The hand-made origami is small and exquisite, from carp streamers to jumping frogs and crows with moving mouths, each design is carefully matched with different patterns. It also made this unique origami vending machine a little "net celebrity" that people are vying to take photos with.

5. Recharge the child's heart

Sendai/Osaka Balloon Vending Machine

Balloon vending machines are rare in Japan. The earliest vintage machines are preserved in the Yagiyama Benny Amusement Park in Sendai, and the machines next to the Chubby Balloon store in Horie, Osaka, are more fashionable.

The balloon is 500 yen a piece. After selecting the pattern, the machine will automatically fill the balloon with hydrogen. Ah, this pink girl's heart.