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Japanese vending machines

Vending machines (jidōhanbaiki or jihanki in Japanese) are incredibly common in Japan, with about one for every twenty-two citizens. Around half of them are beverage vending machines, and they can’t be overlooked, especially in large cities. It is a very easy machine to use when on the go, and this convenience has helped with its popularity.

Stories

  • So benri!

    story by Simone van Driel.

    Beverage vending machines are super <em>benri</em> (‘convenient’). They made their way to Japan in the second half of the 20th century and quickly developed into a major factor in the country’s distribution system. The fast-paced lifestyle of a busy city like Tokyo was the perfect environment for the machine to flourish. This story will tell you all there is to know about vending machines in Japan.

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