Over 5 million vending machines in Japan? What makes Japan a vending machine paradise?

One thing basically every visitor notices right away is the sheer number of vending machines in Japan. They're in every station, in every building, and you'll practically stumble across a vending machine no matter where you're going, even in the countryside.

There are good reasons for the abundance of these vending machines. Join Toro to find out what's behind the huge number of vending machines in Japan.

1) For Safe Japan!

There is very little vandalism in Japan, so even when a vending machine is installed in a public place like a park or on a sidewalk, it rarely breaks down.

2) Because Busy People Love Convenience!

Japan is famous for its long working hours and a lot of Tokyoites are used to working overtime. Of course, the result of that is less time, and sometimes, people are even too busy to get to the nearest convenience store. Then there's nothing more convenient than grabbing a quick and delicious drink from a vending machine on the go!

3) Because Everyone Can Become a Vending Machine Owner!

This reason is not well known but basically anyone and everyone can sign up to set up their own vending machine. Once the application is approved by the management company, you will have to pay an installation fee of tens of thousands of yen (several hundred dollars). However, if the location you choose for your vending machine is good, it is a lucrative business and quite a few people have done this as a kind of side job. As of 2017, all vending machine slots in Japan are in use.

4) Because the maintenance is perfect!

Trash bins for PET bottles and cans are either installed directly in the vending machine or right next to it, providing people with a place to dispose of their emptied drinks in another country where trash cans are quite lacking. . However, the more vending machines there are, the more trash cans need to be emptied. Dedicated maintenance companies ensure that there is no junk, replenish the machine regularly and perform all other maintenance related tasks. It's a system that works so perfectly, you won't find an overflowing trash can or a malfunctioning machine, making the vending machine strangely almost reliable.

5) Price fits all!

As of 2017, the prices of drinks sold at vending machines in Japan are still surprisingly low, even with Tokyo's reputation for being expensive. Coffee costs 130 yen, while 500ml of juice or green tea is only 160 yen, in general. A few decades ago, each drink could cost as little as a dollar, but the increase in sales tax has driven up the price of drinks at vending machines. One thing that remains steady, however, is convenience. No need to queue at the cashier and even offer to pay with crypto, the vending machines have certainly stood the test of time.

Journalist Tsutomu Washizu wrote in the Japan Times in 2007 that Japanese culture is obsessed with automation and robots. This obsession is the main reason that vending machines have become so popular in Japan.

“Japanese people are especially interested in and believe in automation systems,” wrote Washizu.

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