In Japan, convenience never clocks out. Whether it’s 2pm in central Tokyo or 2am on a quiet countryside road, you’re never far from a vending machine. With around four million of them scattered across the country, Japan Times notes, they’re as much a part of the landscape as train stations or convenience stores. But what sets Japan apart isn’t just the sheer number—it’s what these vending machines actually offer.
More than just quick snacks, Japan’s vending machines deliver everything from coffee and hot meals to umbrellas and rare collectibles. The country has turned a simple act—buying something on the go—into a unique experience. Here’s a look at the most common and most delightfully surprising vending machines in Japan:
Classic Drinks (But Better)
At their most basic, Japanese vending machines sell drinks—but “basic” in Japan still means exceptional. These machines offer both hot and cold canned drinks, including coffee, tea, and even hot canned soup. Most machines are produced by beverage giants like Kirin and Asahi. You’ll also find weather-responsive machines like DyDo’s Smile STAND that adjust inventory based on temperature.
Food
Japan’s food vending machines go well beyond snacks—they serve up full, hot meals with the press of a button. Some machines heat dishes like soba noodles, fried rice, and curry. There are even hamburgers from vintage 1980s units still operating in arcades around Gunma. Modern versions by companies like Fuji Electric are equipped with heating and refrigeration systems to keep meals fresh and safe. These machines are popular in business districts, roadside stations, and campuses for their speed and convenience.
You’ll also find cup noodle machines by Nissin in train stations and dormitories, often paired with hot water dispensers and utensils. And for those with a sweet tooth, dessert vending machines offer everything from jarred cakes and mochi to canned bread and ice cream. In areas like Harajuku and Shibuya, these vending machines serve locally made sweets that are as photogenic as they are tasty.
Fresh Produce
Bananas in a vending machine might sound unusual, but you’ll find them in Shibuya Station—stocked daily by Dole Japan and surprisingly popular with commuters. In rural areas, farms operate 24/7 vending huts selling fresh eggs and rice, often using basic coin-lock systems. For something more unexpected, you’ll find vending machines that sell dashi broth in glass bottles, operated by Dashidouraku, which includes an entire flying fish in the bottle. Even more surprising are edible insect vending machines from Takeo Tokyo, offering crickets, beetles, and other protein-rich bugs.
Disaster-Relief & Emergency Items
While vending machines in Japan are often associated with everyday convenience, some are also designed with crisis response in mind. In Ako, Hyogo Prefecture, two vending machines by Earth Corp. have been installed near evacuation shelters. While they function like regular machines, they automatically unlock and dispense around 300 drinks and 150 food items for free during disasters, such as strong earthquakes or evacuation orders. They also include lockers stocked with essentials like masks and portable toilets.
To address infrastructure challenges during blackouts, companies like Sanden have developed solar-powered or hand-crank-powered vending machines that dispense drinks, which can continue operating even when the electrical grid fails. These machines are especially useful in disaster-prone regions and are often deployed near schools, community centers, and train stations.
Anime Merchandise
In Akihabara and other pop culture hubs, anime vending machines are a collector’s dream. These include gachapon (capsule toy) dispensers featuring everything from mini figurines and enamel pins to anime-themed stationery or huge vending machines with mystery boxes, offering “blind bag” style products at a range of price points, with some promising rare or exclusive merchandise. Shops like Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan offer hundreds of these machines under one roof.
Clothing and Commuter Essentials
You’ll often find vending machines offering items like face masks, hand sanitizer, mouthwash, toothbrush sets, and wet wipes—especially in airports, train stations, and capsule hotels. This is perfect for travelers on the move or commuters who need a refresh before a meeting.
In bustling business districts, there are vending machines that offer clothing items like neckties, undershirts, socks, deodorant, and even dress shirts, providing a quick solution for those who may have forgotten or lost an essential item before an important meeting. During the rainy season, umbrella vending machines come in especially handy—though only a handful of areas offer them, as konbini also typically sell umbrellas. Some companies, like DyDo, have even introduced umbrella-sharing initiatives, attaching free-to-use umbrellas to their vending machines in select locations.
Alcoholic Drinks
While less common today due to tighter regulations, you can still find vending machines that sell beer, chu-hi, and sake, especially in older neighborhoods, countryside inns, and fishing towns. Some require age verification via a TASPO card, a smart ID card used to restrict tobacco and alcohol purchases.
Souvenir & Regional Specialty
Across Japan, vending machines in tourist hotspots and regional towns offer a fun and convenient way to sample local flavors and pick up unique souvenirs. In Hiroshima, machines dispense momiji manju (maple leaf-shaped cakes filled with sweet bean paste), while in Hokkaido, you can find canned jingisukan (grilled lamb dish). Kyoto features machines stocked with matcha sweets and traditional crafts, while Osaka’s vending machines reflect the city’s street food culture, offering takoyaki-flavored snacks and curry buns. Even major transit hubs like Tokyo Station host regional souvenir machines filled with local treats like Tokyo Banana and limited-edition cookies.
Other Novelty and Rare Items
Some vending machines in Akihabara, Shinjuku, and Shibuya dispense everything from fake food keychains and quirky figurines to rubber sushi toys and capsule surprises. Some even offer mystery boxes with themes ranging from “useless” gadgets to weird snacks, perfect for curious tourists and collectors.
You might also stumble across vending machines that sell random books in paper-wrapped covers, designed to surprise readers, or even ones that dispense fortunes, lottery-style tickets, or love advice. Whether you're after something odd or just unexpected, these machines turn a simple transaction into a small, memorable experience.
No Coin? No problem.
While many vending machines in Japan still mostly accept coins and bills, especially rural or older units, most urban vending machines now support a wide range of modern payment methods. These include IC cards like Suica and PASMO, credit cards, and mobile payment apps such as PayPay or LINE Pay. Machines often have contactless pads for easy tap-and-go transactions, and many display instructions in English. This wide range of payment options makes using Japanese vending machines easy, even if you’re just visiting and don’t have a pocket full of yen.
On the surface, these vending machines may seem like a small part of daily life in Japan. But for a country that’s full of thoughtful design and low-key genius, vending machines might be one of its most underrated strengths: making something as ordinary as buying a drink feel seamless, smart, and sometimes a little fun.
