We all have heard some of the amazing things about Japanese vending machines and many unique products that are being sold. Japan has a long history with vending machines dating back over a hundred years ago. Nowadays, it is one of the important aspects in any Japanese person’s daily life. Behind this wonderful invention, there are many facts that you may have not heard before!

 

 

1. Japanese Vending Machines Have the Highest Sales in the World

 

 

Japan is surely the king of vending machines and this statistic confirms that. With over 5 trillion yen (around 50 million USD) of annual sales 2 trillion yen (around 20 million USD) of which is contributed by beverages only.

The number of annual sales solidly exceeds that of the second highest sales country, United States by over 1 trillion yen (around 10 million USD) despite having only one-third of the amount of vending machines of United States which holds the record of the highest number of vending machines in the world.

 

 

2. Birth of Hot & Cold Machine in 1974

 

 

This concept might be fascinating to those who have never been to Japan because cold beverages and hot beverages are being sold in the same vending machine during the colder seasons in Japan. We are not talking about vending machines for coffee or hot beverages that dispense hot water.

We are talking about a variety options of drinks that are being warmed at all times. These beverages include green tea, houjicha, Jasmine tea, milk tea, Rooibos tea, coffee and even corn soup.

 

What is so amazing about this is that at the time a drink comes out of a vending machine, it is warm enough that you can use it to warm your hands and even face and give a refreshing feeling. And you can find any of these hot and cold vending machines almost anywhere. Sometimes, you can even use the drinks as pocket warmers!

 

 

3. The Full Scale Popularization was Started by the American Company Coca Cola in 1962

 

 

 

Despite the world of vending machines seeming like a Japanese invention, its widespread popularity was thanks to the introduction by an American beverage maker, Coca-cola. In 1962, Coca-cola made a full-scale entry to Japan.

This also started a full-sized extension of beverage vending machines within Japan as well. One of the factors that contribute to the success of vending machines in Japan has to do with the country’s safety and low rate of crime compared to other countries.

 

In that year, a total of 880 units were installed nationwide. At that time, the installation of vending machines was started with the rental method as in the dealers are responsible for replenishing the products as well as the monthly rental fee contrast to the now majority of full-owned vending machines by the beverage vendor.

 

Photo: cocacola.co.jp 

 

 

4. The Concept of Vending Machines Started from the First Vending Machine That Have Ever Existed Since BC in Egypt

This might come as a surprise to some that the first vending machine in the world was invented in Egypt in 215 BC. The inventor is unknown, however its existence has been described in the book “Pneumatika” by a scientist named Heron. It was installed to sell holy water in front of a temple in the ancient time.

 

The function starts by inserting a coin, the weight of the coin then tilts the plate inside, the tap then opens and the holy water comes out until the plate inside tilts back to the original position.

 

 

5. The Latest Innovation Vending Machine that Features a Flat and Beautiful LCD screen

 

 Photo: acure-fun.net

 

This has been called as the “Innovation Vending Machine” with its latest technology that has never been seen before. All beverages are shown on a flat and beautiful LCD screen with a touch screen feature. You can find more information about each beverage by touching the product once. The machines also recommend beverages based on the temperature and time of the day. It also has a scanning feature that determines the age and gender of a buyer and recommend drinks accordingly.

 

An innovation vending machine by Acure also offers exclusive drinks that can only be bought at the vending machine. Such drinks include “Luxury strawberry mixed vanilla milk” which has caused a hot trend on social media before. Nowadays, it is not just about buying drinks but it is also the fun that come with it that is important.

 

 

6. Disaster Support Vending Machine in 2003

In March 2003, the first “Disaster Support Type Vending Machine” equipped with a function to dispense drinks free of charge in the emergency case of natural disasters such as earthquakes and Tsunami. This machine by Coca-cola was installed in the Ageo City Hall in Saitama Prefecture.

 

 

7. There are Vending Machines for Tobacco and Alcohol in Japan

 

  

Some of you may be surprised to find out that tobacco vending machines and alcohol vending machines can be found in many places in public in Japan. Alcohol vending machines are generally placed in the common area of each floor of the hotels or traditional Japanese ryokans so that customers can get access to alcohol right out of their hotel room.

 

Photo: rocketnews24.com

 

Tobacco vending machines are more commonly found in busy places like office areas such as Shinjuku and Shinagawa. Some vending machines are placed next the provided smoking area. In fact, it is actually their business model. Many cities prohibit smoking on the streets in busy districts. That is why some cigarette shops provide an area for smoking for free of charge while they earn sales from customers who need to refill their cigarettes.

 

 

In addition, please be assured that while these vending machines can be found in common places, these are not accessible to children or anyone who is below the legal age of buying this as the vending machine has a system that checks the identification of the buyer before every purchase.

 

  

 

8. Vending Machines That Can be Paid by Card and Mobile Phone

 

 

Other than being able to pay with a prepaid electronic IC card (eg. Commuter cards, Suica, PASSMO), customers can also buy a drink with your phone by just only waving OR code from compatible applications on your phone on the machine’s built-in scan. This is very helpful especially while trains are approaching and you do not have time to look for coins.

 

 

9. It is Energy Efficiency Despite Its 24-hour Operation Which Could Be Environmental Friendly

 

Photo: acure-fun.net

 

Many people might be worried at the amount of energy being consumed considering the high number of vending machines in Japan and its 24-hour operation. However, recent vending machines have a built-in sensor and timer that detects the brightness of the surroundings.

Which means they automatically control the lighting time. For example, outdoor vending machines are turned off during they day and turned on at night by sensors.

 

Moreover, as a result of efforts by an electric power company, a vending machine manufacturer and a soft drink manufacturer. Eco-vendor was jointly developed and installed in 1995.

Eco-vendors cool products in the morning in the summer and stop the cooling function in the afternoon (1PM-4PM) when electricity usage peaks to reduce the level of overall CO2 emission. Nowadays, almost 100% of canned and bottled beverage vending machines are eco-vendors.

 

 

10. Vending Machines are Installed With Empty Containers for Recycled Cans and Bottles.

 

 

Beverage manufactures and operators who developed vending machines have installed empty containers for recycled cans and bottles next to each vending machine in accordance with the Vending Machine Voluntary Guidelines by the Japan Soft Drink Association and the Japan Vending Association.

 

Those who have been to Japan before might have noticed that garbage cans are pretty difficult to find which is why the vending machine operators provide them for people who have finished their drink.

Many Japanese people also prefer to finish their drink and just throw the can/bottle away on the spot as it would be troublesome to find a place to dispose of it later.

 

 

11. It is Earthquake-resistant

 

 

The thoughts of being prepared for earthquakes might not be so familiar to those who are from the countries in which earthquakes do not occur often. However, as Japan is a country that is vulnerable to earthquakes, this preparedness has been included in every aspect of daily life in Japan such as earthquake-resistant buildings, earthquake-ready bullet trains and instant phone updates.

 

All vending machines have been installed complying with the JIS installation standards to prevent the machine vending machines from falling over and causing accidents in the case of earthquakes. According to this standard, the vending machines should be able to avoid falling over in an earthquake with a seismic intensity scale of up to 6.

 

 

12. First Vending Machine in Japan

 

 Photo: jvma.co.jp

 

A little interesting fact to know is that the first vending machine that was installed in Japan sold boxed products such as cigarettes in 1888 by Takashichi Tawaraya . A patent was also filed in the same year and was later approved in 1890. It was exhibited at the 3^rd National Industrial Exhibition in Ueno in 1890. However, the machine no longer exists in the present.

 

The oldest vending machine that still exists is actually an automatic vending machine for postage stamp manufactured by Takashichi Tawaraya. This machine has a wooden outer frame. It still operates in the Postal Museum Japan as of now. 

 

 

13. Talking Vending Machine in 2000

 A soft drink manufacturer “Dydo Drinco” also invents a vending machine that can talk to customers in various ways depending on the time and season. For example, customers will be greeted with Good Morning! “おはようございます！/Ohayougozaimasu!“ or Would you like to have a cold drink? “冷たい飲みものはいかがですか？/Tsumetai Nomimono ha Ikagadesuka?”.

 

What interesting is that these talking vending machines were further updated to be able to speak in a different dialect, one of the most famous Japanese dialect, Kansai dialect which is often used by comedians in Japan. The current updated version is able to speak in Standard Japanese, Kansai dialect, English, Chinese and Portuguese. It includes 116 phrases and able to celebrate you during New Year and Christmas.

 

 

Sources

J-sda 1 2

Cocacola

Acure-fun

Japan-guide

Jvma 1 2

Theculturetrip

Dydo