☝️ TLDR: There is 1 vending machine for every 30 people in Japan, which is more than twice as much as in the U.S.
When you think of vending machines in Japan, you might picture that sensationalized stereotype about fishing for used underwear with an arcade claw, but Japan’s real vending machine culture is way more interesting.
✅ AI Essay Writer ✅ AI Detector ✅ Plagchecker ✅ Paraphraser
✅ Summarizer ✅ Citation Generator
So, how many vending machines are in Japan, per capita? The number has been recently decreasing, but it’s in millions! The estimate is about one vending machine for every 30 people, which is significantly higher than in other countries, including Britain.
We often ask, how many vending machines per person in Japan? But skip the “why”. Japan’s high number is partly due to a national labor shortage, which has driven demand for automation. With fewer workers available for traditional retail jobs, vending machines have stepped up as a convenient way to offer a wide range of products. They’re also handy for people on a tight schedule — and Japan’s workaholic tendencies are well-known.
What do these machines sell? Mostly beverages — both cold and heated. It’s common to find a machine dispensing hot coffee in a can or green tea in steaming cans. But Japan’s vending machines go far beyond drinks. You’ll find machines that sell everything from ramen to umbrellas, live crabs, and even cake in a can!
The variety of vending machines in Japan is impressive, serving both practical and unusual needs. In fact, the unique range is what makes Japanese vending machines so fascinating to locals and visitors alike. And yes, you can buy underwear in one nowadays: clean and packaged in plastic for personal use if the need strikes.
📌 Fun Fact: Vending Machines Grow Fresh Vegetables!
One of the strangest items sold in Japanese vending machines is fresh, whole lettuce. Found in specific locations, these machines can produce 60 heads of lettuce per day under 40-watt fluorescent lighting, allowing customers to buy freshly grown, pesticide-free lettuce 24/7. These “vegetable vending machines” are marketed as a peculiar feature for a restaurant. Japan’s vending machines are known for offering a wide range of unusual items, from canned bread to fresh eggs, but a machine that grows and dispenses lettuce stands out as one of the most inventive and unexpected!
People just love stuffing things in a box to then pull them from a slot for a coin. There are a variety of quirky vending machines out there!
| 🤖Vending Machine | ™️Brand | 🛍️Items Sold |
| Live Crab Vending Machine | Twin Lakes Crab | Fresh, live crabs kept at a cool temperature to keep them alive and fresh |
| Banana Vending Machine | Dole | Fresh bananas, dispensed individually for on-the-go snacking |
| Used Books Vending Machine | Biblio-Mat | Random used books for book lovers, where each book costs a set low price |
| Caviar Vending Machine | Caviar Creator | High-end caviar in various quantities, for an eclectic combo of luxury and convenience |
| Umbrella Vending Machine | Tokyo Metro | Disposable umbrellas, especially convenient for sudden rain showers |
Source
FAQ
Follow us on Reddit for more insights and updates.
More from Learn with AHelp
2 days ago
A*Helpful Fact: Ever Wondered What Colors Can Dogs See? Because, No, It’s Not Just Gray!
3 min read
Comments (0)
Welcome to A*Help comments!
We’re all about debate and discussion at A*Help.
We value the diverse opinions of users, so you may find points of view that you don’t agree with. And that’s cool. However, there are certain things we’re not OK with: attempts to manipulate our data in any way, for example, or the posting of discriminative, offensive, hateful, or disparaging material.