In even the tiniest of Japanese towns, large unprotected, metal boxes can be found near train stations, near shops, service stations or just by the side of the road. Old or new though, the vending machine in Japan is much more than just a dispenser of soft drink. Talk about vending machines in Australia or America and the ubiquitous Coke Machine springs to mind. Alternatively, cigarette or coffee machines and ticket machines are considered.
Japan brings a whole new edge to dispensing goods through a box.
These vending machines are known as jidoohanbaiki and are found singly or in clustered groups everywhere throughout the country. Instantly recognisable and eminently practical, these machines compliment stores and stalls with almost an equal variety of items. The real surge in interest in jidoohanbaiki began during the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 with the need to supply large numbers of people with a number of goods and a severe lack of space and staff. Over the years since then, the variety of goods sold has increased dramatically as has the number of vending machines which is currently well over 6 million machines. As well as the typical softdrinks, you can buy health drinks, yoghurt drinks, milk, hot and cold coffee, chocolate or tea and even alcoholic drinks such as sake, beer and whiskey.