Despite Japan's reputation as a vending machine heaven, inflation has driven some companies that sell canned and bottled drinks to pull out of the industry or drastically reduce the number of machines ...

From post offices and parks to stations and even the summit of Mount Fuji, Japan's vending machines are ubiquitous. But with ...

The number of soft drink vending machines installed in Japan in 2025 fell to 1.95 million, preliminary year-end figures show, dropping below 2 million for the first time in the 30 years for which ...

Japan is justifiably regarded as a gourmet delight, but the country is also a world leader in culinary convenience, with the ...

From hot meals to chilly drinks, Japan’s ubiquitous vending machines offer life’s essentials at a push of a button. From the top of Mount Fuji to the gates of the holiest shrines, it isn’t much of an ...

In most places, vending machines mean soda, chips, and a quick snack. In Japan, they’ve evolved into something far more unexpected. Along sidewalks and train stations, machines sell items that feel ...

This photo taken on March 31, 2026, shows vending machines in Tokyo. (Kyodo) TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The number of soft drink vending machines installed in Japan in 2025 fell to 1.95 million, preliminary ...