LIFE IN TOKYOOne of the first things that struck me in Tokyo was the sheer number of vending machines. Since
moving to Tokyo in September 2022 I have made it my mission to document as many vending machinesthat I come across as possible.
Vending machines, known as !"#$% (jidouhanbaiki) in Japanese, have become an integral part ofJapanese culture and urban landscape. They are ubiquitous across the country, with an estimated 1
vending machine for every 25 people. They are found everywhere: in large cities, small towns, andeven in very rural areas.

In the first weeks of moving to Tokyo, the other Daiwa scholars and I had to furnish our newly acquired
flats. This meant that we used the Tokyo underground as our main way of getting around. Tokyo’s
underground system is full of vending machines with over 5000 machines in its labyrinth of stations. InUeno Station there is a whole room dedicated to dozens of small vending machines selling small plastic
models, keyrings and trinkets, something which was actually quite useful inspiration when decorating
my apartment.

In another station I found a machine dedicated to selling individually plastic wrapped bananas. Surely
nature’s packaging is enough.

Even some of the largest department stores have vending machines selling their most popular products.
For example, this bank of Muji vending machines outside their Shinjuku shop. This is an extension ofthe ‘always open’ culture in Tokyo where almost all convenience shops are open 24/7, 365 days of theyear, and where a karaoke parlor can be used at any time of the day - with one offering a record bargain
price of ¥100 (£0.60) for an hour, although it was at 11am. Anything to offer the best possible service.

Japanese culture has embraced vending machines like no other nation. Japan has around 5 million
vending machines. On one trip to Shikoku island, one of Japan's most unpopulated regions - with thepopulation decreasing about 5% every year we could still find vending machines on the roadside in themiddle of the countryside.

From my observations this seems to come down to three really important aspects of Japanese culture.
Firstly, convenience: Japan has a high population density, particularly in urban areas, and theconvenience of vending machines is greatly valued. They provide access to a wide variety of products,including hot and cold drinks, snacks, instant meals, ice cream, and even non-food items such as
umbrellas, face masks, and small toys. Vending machines operate 24/7, making them a reliable sourceof goods at any time of the day or night. Personally, I’ve found myself becoming increasingly reliant on
this instant gratification of immediate needs. Being able to buy an umbrella during one of Tokyo’s
sudden and intense downpours or buy a bunch of flowers as a gift from an always-open-machine isactually really useful.

Second, safety and low crime rates: Japan is known for its low crime rates, which have contributed to
the widespread use and acceptance of vending machines. Theft and vandalism are relatively rare,allowing vending machines to operate without constant surveillance or security measures.

Third, vending machines in Japan are often seen as a reflection of the nation's culture and values. They
showcase Japanese efficiency, cleanliness, and attention to detail. For example, many vending
machines are meticulously maintained and stocked, with a wide variety of neatly arranged products,
and by law must have recycling bins for used bottles and cans.
Often, vending machines in Japan are just plain quirky and make for a good publicity stunt. Recently,Japanese whaling company Kyodo Senpaku has started selling whale meat in vending machines toincrease consumption, while up north in Akita prefecture there are vending machines that sell bearmeat. Vending is truly at the heart of Japanese life.
Vending machines in Japan hold significant cultural importance due to their convenience, advancedtechnology, and reflection of Japanese values. They’ve become a symbol of Japan's innovative spirit
and unique urban landscape, offering both practicality and novelty - and have become an important
medium for me to discover Tokyo and learn about Japanese culture.