From what I can tell, vending machines play a very different role in Japanese culture than they do in the US. In the US vending machines are on the fringe, even though they’re in the most public of places. For instance, they sell toys to distract children while the grownups shop. Or they sell items beyond the purview of the establishment where they reside, such as condoms & sanitary napkins in the bathroom of a bar, junkfood and soda in an office building. They’re there to fill a need, but the contents are usually overpriced and/or poor quality. You only go to them when you have no other choice.
In Japan, on the other hand, vending machines have a much more seamless integration with the rest of the culture. They’re everywhere, targeting all age groups. The contents are much higher quality than what we get in the States (outside of Callithump! machines, of course). I’ve been fascinated by Japanese vending machine culture for a while and whenever I know of anyone traveling to Japan, I always ask them to bring me back something! Here are a few:
A nigh infinite variety of things get vended from vending machines in Japan, from air to used schoolgirl panties, although these pictures are all of keychains, keychain covers, and cell phone fobs. But just look at the astonishing variety of things in that tiny subset!
If anyone out there can tell me more about vending machines in Japan, I’d love to hear from you! And if you’re in Japan or traveling there and can hook me up with vending machine schwag, I’ll reward you handsomely!
