Vending Machine Extravaganza

As you all know, Japan is the land of the vending machine. (Remember the capsule toys we showed you?) Even those of you residing overseas have no doubt heard of the quirky and bizarre (need we mention the used underwear vending machine or the live crab UFO catcher?) The countryside is dotted with contraptions selling everything from piping hot French fries to farm fresh eggs. Recently, however, even the ordinary machines are becoming a little extraordinary. So we headed to the biannual vending machine manufacturers’ exhibition Vendex Japan at Tokyo’s Big Sight to see the newest innovations. Get your coins ready!

Written by Rebecca Milner
In kind cooperation with CScout Japan

To go back a bit, the first known vending machine was a pneumatically driven holy water vending machine in an Egyptian temple in Alexandria in 215 B.C. The first Japanese machine made its dedebut over 2 millenniums later in 1890 and the oldest existing stamp vending machine from 1904 can still be seen at the Museum Meiji-Mura. Since then, the number of machines has risen to an astonishing 5,405,300, making Japan the country with the highest concentration in the world (one for every 23 people!) While half of these are standard soft drink vending machines, a surprising number of contraptions sell more unusual fare. There are 118,000 machines selling razors and socks and an impressive 5,500 issuing cans of noodles.

According to a survey by the Japanese Vending Machine Manufacturers Association (check out their fun PDF and more stats, if you’re interested,) 22 percent of respondents used a vending machine almost or at least once a day! Last year the income from these handy vendors totaled just shy of 7 trillion yen!

Since August 2005, Sapporo-based blogger Motomachi has been taking daily pictures of the same vending machine near his home and meticulously recording the minute changes in products, advertising campaigns, and even seasonal decorations: I take a picture of a vending machine everyday (or so.) I am sorry. His site has earned a number of followers and for them he has created a printable paper cut-out model of his much-loved vending machine. See some of the results here and here on Flickr!

Now, before you argue with us about the environmental issues of vending machines, we are pleased to show you some of the latest products at Vendex Japan that have been designed with some of these concerns in mind:

1. Eco Vending Machines

Fuji Electric’s new machine has solar panels on the roof and moss covering the sides! Green. Literally. Photo by CScout Japan

Reduced energy consumption vending machines are standard and fluorocarbon free ones are in the works, but how about a solar powered vending machine covered in moss! Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. displayed a prototype of what might be the vending machine of the future: Solar panels supply the energy used for cooling and heating the beverages, while the moss covering helps improve insulation. The green décor would also give our grey city streets a more natural look and help vending machines in scenic locales blend into the environment!

Coca-Cola is also engaging in a little green-washing, teaming up with Fuji Electric to release a 100 percent hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-free machine that will be presented at the G8 summit in Hokkaido this July.

2. Age recognition

Let’s see how old you are: Fujitaka’s face recognition scanner to prevent underage consumers from buying tobacco. Photo by CScout Japan

In order to prevent minors (under 20) from purchasing cigarettes, manufacturer Fujitaka has created a tobacco vending machine equipped with face recognition software. Simply align your face with the small mirror (which is really a digital camera) and press the button to scan your face. The system then compares facial characteristics, including skin firmness and lines around the eye, to a database created from over 100,000 faces to determine if the potential buyer is in fact an adult. Currently these machines are deployed all over Japan and will reach Tokyo by July. Yay, let’s see how old the machine guesses we are!

Officially from this July, all smokers have to register for a TASPO card to get their kicks from tobacco machines… Photo by CScout Japan

Fujitaka is reporting a 90 percent accuracy rate — the program has a tendency to discriminate against baby-faced adults who may need to use an ID card with proof of age on an additional scanner. The TASPO card will be required on all Japanese vending machines from July. Although the face recognition system has yet to be approved by the government, Fujitaka is betting that if it is, smokers will prefer this style of age verification — giving Fujitaka’s vendors a commercial edge.

3. Local guide

Fancy discovering a new place to eat while you pick up your morning canned latte? Innovator Fujitaka has also introduced a series of vending machines that turn these ubiquitous eyesores into interactive tools. Featuring touch screen monitors, these Monitan machines offer area maps, info about local dining and entertainment establishments, route guidance for how to get from here to there, train schedules and City Office news. When potential customers approach the machine, the monitor comes to life with animated instructions and commercials for local sponsors. Right now, you can spot Monitan machines in Shibuya and Akihabara, and if they catch on there, we are sure you’ll be seeing them around every corner pretty soon.

4. Gourmet quality beverages

Authentic Italian coffee — from a M-one café vending machine! Photo by CScout Japan

Apex Corp.’s M-one café features an authentic Italian espresso brewer that intends to improve upon the rather artificial flavor of most packaged beverages. And instead of the usual vending machine’s utilitarian look, this mimics the counter of a real coffee shop, complete with menu board! Then, during the brewing process, the monitor shows the coffee being automatically prepared. Using the touch screen menu, patrons can customize their selected coffee drink such as cappuccino, latte, etc. by coffee strength, sweetness, and milkiness. Iced drinks, using freshly crushed ice, are also possible. But does it speak Italian when the coffee is ready?

5. Cashless machines

By now, we’re all getting used to getting canned coffee simply by holding the SUICA train card at the vending machine’s sensor. Practical! Photo by CScout Japan

Like society in general, vending machines are moving to a cashless system of transaction. These days, most of the vending machines in and around Tokyo train stations allow users to pay with either their SUICA or PASMO train card or mobile phone (pictured left.)

Coca-Cola Japan takes this one step further by offering its own mobile phone payment system and point club available at all so-called Club CMode machines. In addition to earning points towards free drinks, members receive emails to their mobile phones that include updates on new products and occasionally a coupon for a free drink, which is actually a barcode that can be scanned by these machines. If you want to check one out, have a look at their Tokyo map (below.)

Of course the best cashless vending machine is one that doesn’t make us pay at all! Or so we thought. We found a vending machine in Harajuku’s Sample Lab (an Apex M-one café no less, as pictured above) that asks customers to watch a 30 second commercial instead of handing over the usual ¥100. Hmm… what’s the better deal?

In any case, we’re off for hot latte! But hopefully not one from a can… Have you spotted any freaky vending machines in your neighbourhood? Let us know!
Thanks to CScout Japan for their help!

41 Comments

1. vending machines embody all the things i love about japan: technology, appealingly creative designs and culture! great article

   Posted by: mary on June 16th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

2. I love it! I love it! I love it!
   Eco Vending Machines is mandatory for every city around Japan!

   Posted by: nyuudo on June 16th, 2008 at 11:58 pm

3. The Passive Aggressive Anger Release Machine is another interesting idea.

   Posted by: Raketentim on June 17th, 2008 at 12:19 am

4. Amazing vending machines here in Japan indeed. I wanted to share with you guys this Freedom Project beverage vending machine by Nissin Cup Noodles -

   http://halcyonrealms.com/freedom-project/freedom-nissin-cup-noodles-vending-machine/

   Posted by: blauereiter on June 17th, 2008 at 12:29 am

5. will arrive in Italy??

   Posted by: I vestiti di Carlotta on June 17th, 2008 at 2:24 am

6. amazing! I love vending machines :)

   Posted by: Tomek on June 17th, 2008 at 3:05 am

7. Haha, this is a pretty cool article. :)

   @ Blauereiter: I remember a friend showing me that the other day. It’s practical and a good theory, but I’d prefer to smash one myself.

   All these vending machines are ingenious - it’s too bad there aren’t as many cool ones in North America.

   Posted by: #_Jennifer;; on June 17th, 2008 at 4:20 am

8. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jowinjapan/494563669/

   That is a pic of a lobster catcher ufo skill tester machine… pretty funny.

   Posted by: jow on June 17th, 2008 at 8:10 am

9. Don’t forget the CARS!

   http://www.kilian-nakamura.com/blog-english/index.php/smart-vendor-car-vending-machine-in-shibuya/

   Posted by: drifand on June 17th, 2008 at 12:52 pm

10. I find the vending culture fascinating! I could stare at those pictures all day! It entertains !

    Posted by: Lana on June 17th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

11. [...] Ping Mag: “Vending Machine Extravaganza” [...]

    Posted by: Land Of The Vending Machine on PSFK on June 18th, 2008 at 12:11 am

12. this is so kaleidoscopic and interesting. the innovativeness really took my breath away.

    Posted by: stella on June 18th, 2008 at 1:31 am

13. [...] Vending Machine Extravaganza delves into the extreme world of Japanese vending machine culture. They look at everything from a [...]

    Posted by: Tokyo snapshot: 5,405,300 vending machines and counting - taccato! trend tracker, cool hunting, new business ideas on June 18th, 2008 at 4:43 am

14. Love it ….. actually wrote about it yesterday funnily enough!

    Posted by: Neil Duckett on June 18th, 2008 at 11:16 am

15. Vending Machines In Japan…

    They’re everywhere, it’s as simple as that. It’s very handy for the consumer and no doubt quite lucritive for those that own them but that’s where i thought it stopped.
    Enter, Ryuuichi Ikeda from Sapporo, who likes one particul…

    Posted by: Neil Duckett on June 18th, 2008 at 11:28 am

16. [...] die vending machines in Tokyo waren wirklich klasse. Die Grog-o-maten vor allem. Wo, wenn nicht in Tokyo kann man sonst legal auf [...]

    Posted by: kopfhoerer » vending machines in tokyo on June 18th, 2008 at 3:43 pm

17. Really I love the Japan Vending machine technologies

    Posted by: Raja on June 18th, 2008 at 7:46 pm

18. [...] goes to Vendex Japan, the vending machine manufacturer’s [...]

    Posted by: Photophores: June 18, 2008 « Kinetic Loop on June 18th, 2008 at 11:52 pm

19. They need these machines in the UK. Like now.

    Posted by: Kumail R on June 19th, 2008 at 2:05 am

20. [...] Vending Machine Extravaganza highlights several vending machine innovations that were featured at a recent vending machine [...]

    Posted by: Innovative Vending Machines from Japan | Planet Surfer on June 19th, 2008 at 4:15 am

21. Thanks for a nice article (as always), PingMag.

    One comment from the UK. Please for god sake, I wouldn’t demand such high-tech vending machines here, so at least can I get a right amount of change?!

    I must have dropped more than 20 quid on ancient vending machines here that just eat my money without giving anything back.

    Posted by: taku on June 19th, 2008 at 11:02 am

22. [...] Thing - Japanese Vending Machines Rym’s Thing - Wakfu and [...]

    Posted by: Front Row Crew - GeekNights » Blog Archive » GeekNights 080618 - MoCCA Arts Festival 2008 on June 19th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

23. [...] PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about “Design and Making Things” » Archive » Vending Machin… (tags: vending japan) [...]

    Posted by: Apreche.net » Blog Archive » links for 2008-06-19 on June 19th, 2008 at 1:30 pm

24. In my neighborhood, I’ve got vending machines for rice, batteries, condoms, milk….

    Posted by: pat on June 19th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

25. I’m going to create a vending machine that sells love. And not the cheap, plastic kind.

    Posted by: Anonymous on June 19th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

26. [...] Meer vending-machine-extravaganza –> go PingMag [...]

    Posted by: BLADDA » Blog Archive » Vending-machine-extravaganza on June 19th, 2008 at 6:43 pm

27. [...]   A surprisingly extensive write-up on vending machines in JAPAN via pingmag [...]

    Posted by: momodomo » THE VENDING on June 20th, 2008 at 3:49 am

28. On a recent trip to Kyoto I saw a UFO catcher with jars of live baby fugu fish as the prize. There was also a fortune vending machine at a shrine with an animated shishi puppet that would bring your fortune to you.

    Posted by: claire on June 20th, 2008 at 3:36 pm

29. [...] being the reigning king of vending machines, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to come across one that would sell you [...]

    Posted by: Click | Cook | Play on June 21st, 2008 at 11:53 am

30. Excellent post of japan :)

    Posted by: Posiciona on June 22nd, 2008 at 8:12 pm

31. [...] am on June 23, 2008 | # | Reading a somewhat boring article about vending machines. [...]

    Posted by: iBored on June 23rd, 2008 at 5:40 pm

32. [...] Thing - Japanese Vending Machines Rym’s Thing - Wakfu and [...]

    Posted by: GeekNights 080618 - MoCCA Arts Festival 2008 | Games Blog on June 23rd, 2008 at 11:20 pm

33. [...] Read More | ping mag [...]

    Posted by: Bank of America, Chevron partner with Milpitas schools in solar project | Network Tools - ntoolz.net on June 26th, 2008 at 2:05 pm

34. [...] Read More | ping mag [...]

    Posted by: Web of possibilities: Salganik finds new avenues for social research online | Network Tools - ntoolz.net on June 26th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

35. [...] frequency would be 13,56 MHz. HF systems are widely used in libraries, mass transportation (think SUICA and PASMO train cards) and product authentication applications. Capacity: 1024 bits! Depending on [...]

    Posted by: RFID Antenna Arts | SCADA, Telematics & GPS Technologies on June 29th, 2008 at 3:43 pm

36. [...] all the fuss we’ve made lately about vending machines dispensing Smart Cars, to our PingMag Vending Machine Extravaganza, it’s actually a bit shocking to see something so basic made available in this [...]

    Posted by: Trends in Japan » Veggie Vendor for busy city slickers on July 3rd, 2008 at 1:01 am

37. [...] wir letztlich so ein Aufsehen bezüglich der Smart Car Automaten und der PingMang Vending Machines Extravaganza gemacht haben, ist es doch etwas erschreckend zu sehen, dass es doch noch so was einfaches [...]

    Posted by: Trends in Japan - Deutsch » Gemüseautomaten für gestresste Großstädter on July 4th, 2008 at 3:51 pm

38. [...] sources: Photomann, Pingmag, CScout & [...]

    Posted by: Best Japanese Vending Machines | americajin.com on July 9th, 2008 at 2:31 pm

39. [...] Japan’s Vending Machines  [...]

    Posted by: My Story. My Life. » Human Mirror and Japan’s Vending Machines on July 9th, 2008 at 11:30 pm

40. [...] Some Japanese vending machines. [...]

    Posted by: “Got Time-Lapse?” on July 21st, 2008 at 10:21 pm

41. American vending machines will never be as cool

    Posted by: THE T-SHIRT GANG on October 19th, 2008 at 2:00 am

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