One of the great joys of going to train in Japan is the vending machines (yes, I know that I am shallow that way).
Japanese vending machines are a wonder. Above and below, please find examples of the vending machines at the training facilities. These magical devices dispense drinks - both hot and cold from the same machine (denoted in the "red" or "blue" color scheme below, which somehow the US has failed to figure out yet). For the cost of something like $1.00 to $1.50 (120 to 180 Yen), one has a plethora of options.
My go to favorite. Kind of a combination between a citrus drink and an energy drink:
How we get coffee in the morning. A little surprisingly, most of this (which does come hot) is with sugar and/or milk.
A lemon style vitamin C water. This was surprisingly good:
This also a energy drink, which may be my new favorite. Note it is from Asahi, a Japanese beer company:
Another sports style drink. This one had the weak taste of raspberry. Not recommended:
And it is not just drinks! Once upon a time there was an alcohol machine with beer and whiskey (sadly, now gone) - but the ice cream machine is still there:
A very passible vanilla waffle flavor:
The Japanese appear to use vending machines to their full capacity. Just enough convenience to remove the need to stop and find food at a streetside vendor or restaurant. Probably saves a lot of time spent in line during lunch hours.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough, I have seen very few food vending machines, mostly drinks. This may partially be a function of the fact that, at least traditionally, one does not walk and eat/drink in Japan. The items are consumed on or nearby the premises or held for later.
DeleteA very interesting post TB, love those names and I bet those machines are stocked on a very regular basis. Guess I'm shallow also........ :)
ReplyDeleteThey are, Nylon12. Interestingly enough, the straight black coffee almost always disappears first when we are in town...
DeleteThis post reminds me of the cycle of things. When I was very young, Japanese made things were synonymous with junk but by my teens, their electronics were known as high quality. These days, their vehicles are still known for their quality but I don't hear so much about their consumer electronics. I would assume they are still good quality. Perhaps they are just drowned out by all the electronics flooding our markets from China, India, Vietnam and the like.
ReplyDeleteEd, I have the same memories (and to my knowledge, Japanese consumer electronics still tend to hold their value). The market is all about cost these days, so I think the are often on the "top end" of cost - but perhaps like their cars and trucks, hold their value.
DeleteWhen we were on Okinawa, you could get a lot of stuff from vending machines. Probably the variety was greater because of all the American military on the island. Their ingenuity has always been higher than American when it comes to things like that.
ReplyDeleteBrought back memories.
You all be safe and God bless.
Linda, it shocks me that somehow we do not have vending machines that can deliver hot and cold canned drinks. Or that no-one even tried to import the technology.
DeleteWhen I was in training in the Air Force (many moons ago), the barracks had beer vending machines. They were stocked on Friday afternoons, and by mid-day Saturday were empty. What was amusing was to note the order they were emptied in. Of the half dozen or so brands, Budweiser was gone in a matter of minutes. Others took a bit longer, Schlitz, PBR, Old Milwaukee, Coors, etc. The last to go was Lone Star (and this was Texas, after all).
ReplyDeleteI'm old enough to remember when every gas station and restaurant had a cigarette vending machine at the entrance.
Greg, I remember those cigarette machines too.
DeleteThe alcohol machines I saw there were a combination of Japanese beer brands and canned mixed drinks. I cannot vouch for the idea of a "whisky highball" out of a can, but seems questionable to me.