As unattended retail and payments pick up pace worldwide, Japanese vending machines have emerged as the undisputed champions of automated commerce. For context, with about a third of the U.S. population, Japan has about the same number of active vending machines as the U.S. (4 to 5 million active machines). Given how interwoven vending machines have become in Japanese retail culture, the country has some fascinating machines, some selling certain hot foods you can’t find in a vending machine in the U.S.

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What Is Unique About Japanese Vending Machines?

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Japanese vending machines are a unique phenomenon because of the sheer number of machines currently active across the country and the variety of products you can find being sold using these machines. Several factors contribute to the popularity of vending machines in Japan, including:

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• The density of vending machines. Japan has 4 to 5 million active machines at any given time, representing one machine for every 30 people. This reality has mainstreamed vending as part and parcel of Japanese retail culture and allowed vendors to experiment with various vending products.

• Brick-and-mortar retail locations have embraced vending machines. It is common in Japan for brick-and-mortar retail stores to utilize vending machines, and they do so more elaborately than American stores utilize micro-markets.

• 24/7 convenience has become the norm in Japan. Major cities in Japan such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama operate 24-hour economies supported by convenient 24-hour public transportation.

• Japanese generally live in high-population-density areas. Compared to America where there is significant urban sprawl, the Japanese tend to live in high-density areas. Vending machines do well in high-density areas with a lot of traffic.

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The above factors coupled with Japanese fascination with automation have provided a great environment for vending machine businesses to thrive.

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What Do Japanese Vending Machines Sell?

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In Japan, vending machines sell a lot more than just snacks and drinks. The country has a variety of specialized machines selling custom products, including fresh hot food. The range of products you will find in vending machines in Japan includes:

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• Snacks and drinks. The traditional snack and drink machine is popular in Japan as well. You will find the typical soda pop, energy drinks, water, chips, candy, chocolate bars, cookies, and energy bars, among other popular products in such machines.

• Gachapon. Vending machines selling toy capsules are quite popular in Japan. ‘Gashapon’ or ‘Gachapon’ is a trademark of Bandai, a Japanese toy manufacturer.

• Caviar. In the United States, you will only run into caviar vending machines in upscale locations such as Beverly Hills. However, caviar vending machines in Japan can be found even on random streets of major Japanese cities. A caviar tab in a typical vending machine can range from 3,500 Yen (USD 23) for 10 grams to 35,000 Yen (USD 230) for 100 grams.

• Wedding rings. Japan has jewelry vending machines selling various jewelry pieces, including necklaces, earrings, and wedding rings. The prices for these pieces of jewelry can start from as low as 9,000 Yen (USD 60) to 1.5 million Yen (USD 9,900).

• Mystery box machines. In Japan, you will find vending machines selling mystery boxes with food and non-food items.

• Match-making machines. A date is probably the last thing you expect to find in a vending machine. In Japan, however, there are machines with bottles/cards with details of potential suitors and all you have to do is buy the bottle/card to get a date - for both men and women.

• Gamified cake machines. These gamified machines are claw machines allowing customers a chance to win a random cake treat. Being that it is an arcade game and customers are gambling, they may walk away with no cake at all.

• Cake in a can. And if you’d rather get your cake from a vending machine without going to an arcade to gamble, Japan has you covered with its cake-in-a-can vending machines. These cakes come in various flavors, including strawberry, chocolate, cherry, orange, caramel, cream, and more.

• Burgers. Some machines vend for about a dollar each.

• Edible bugs. You may encounter machines vending edible bugs on Japanese streets.  The MOGBUG vending machine in Tokyo is one such machine.

• Sushi. You can get your sushi from a vending machine in Japan. A sushi machine in Japan will typically offer different types of rolls at relatively affordable prices. You can get a roll for as low as 500 Yen (USD 3.30).

• Pizza. Local restaurants and pizzerias utilize vending machines on strategic street locations to serve customers on the move. 

• Flowers. Real flowers are available in bouquets in vending machines in Japan.

• Fried chicken and french fries. You can find popular fast foods in vending machines, including fried chicken, french fries, donuts, fried fish, and more.

• Fresh fruits. Fresh fruits such as bananas and apples are available in vending machines in Japan. You can also find machines selling freshly squeezed fruit juices, such as orange and pineapple juice.

• Dashi soup stock. Dashi soup stock is a base ingredient for many Japanese dishes. 

• Liquor. In front of local mom-and-pop liquor shops, you will run into liquor vending machines selling canned beer and other alcoholic drinks. The machines require customers to identify themselves using their driver’s license to make a purchase.

• Apparel. You can upgrade your wardrobe while on the go with the help of Japanese apparel vending machines that sell t-shirts, shirts, neckties, and undergarments.

• Gifts. Gift vending machines dispense gifts for every major occasion, including birthdays, anniversaries, and religious holidays.

• Coffee. Canned coffee is one of the popular Japanese vending machine products. Also, some local coffee stores operate coffee vending machines selling their signature brews.

• Flavored milk. Flavored milk vending machines are popular with both the young and the old. Popular flavors include strawberry, banana, choco mint, cocoa, and black tea.

• Eggs. When the corner store is closed and you need eggs at night, vending machines selling eggs by the tray in Japan may come to the rescue.

• Ramen. Japan has full-fledged Ramen vending machine restaurants. These standing restaurants are common in train stations and public establishments. The machines come with a menu and the Ramen is served hot. A standard order typically costs between 700 Yen (USD 4.62) and 1000 Yen (USD 6.60).

• CBD. CBD is getting popular among Japanese youth in the 20 to 30 age band. Some companies are cashing in on the trend by setting up CBD vending machines. Customers need a driver’s license to purchase liquor from such machines.

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Can I Import a Vending Machine From Japan?

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Yes, it is possible to import a vending machine from Japan. Given the likely high shipping cost, such a venture only makes economic sense when you want to import a specialty vending machine currently unavailable in the United States, such as vending machines equipped to sell certain hot foods.

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Logistics services already exist to handle the shipping of bulky machinery from Japan to the United States. Such logistics companies may also be willing to inspect the machine for you before shipping it, in case you are buying a used vending machine and want to confirm whether or not it is in good working condition. 

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Depending on where you are in the United States, it will take between 15 and 30 days from the date of departure to get your sea-shipped Japanese vending machine. It takes 15 to 20 days for shipments to arrive on the West Coast and 25 to 30 days for shipments to arrive on the West Coast.

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How Much Does a Japanese Vending Machine Cost?

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Vending machines in Japan cost about as much as they do in the United States. Prices range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on condition and features. When importing a vending machine into the United States from Japan, expect to spend about as much as the cost of the vending machine in shipping and customs. It makes sense to source your machine locally, especially because some local manufacturers are willing to customize machines to fit unique vending products.