Japan has about 2.56 million beverage vending machines in widespread use. The annual sales amount is about 2.2 trillion yen and is said to be the largest vending machine country in the world.
ekinakaIt is a Japanese vending machine that is located throughout the city, such as in Matinaka and offices, but there are a lot of surprises for foreigners. This time, I asked three foreign people living in Japan the difference from their home countries (China, America, France). What is the beauty of Japanese vending machines that we have not noticed?

In Japan, it is a vending machine that is full of machinaka, but where in the world is it located?

Guillow"I am from Shanghai, but the number of vending machines increased rapidly at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.ekinakaAnd it is a very recent story that came to be seen in Matinaka. The places where vending machines are located in China are typically schools and tourist destinations. "

Gregory"There are a lot of vending machines in the United States, but not as much as Japan. It is mainly located in the shopping mall. There is a risk of being destroyed,ekinakaAnd there is no Matinaka "

Funny"France alsoekinakaThe inside of the facility is basic. There is a "vending machine shop" with a security camera that is only lined with vending machines, but it is not placed in front of the shop or outdoors like Matinaka. "

どうやら、日本の自販機台数の多さは、治安の良さにも関係しているのかもしれません。

Is there a difference between Japanese and foreign vending machines in addition to the installation location? When I heard that I came to Japan and was surprised, I realized that there is a certain unexpected difference.

Guillow"It's amazing that you can buy warm and cold in the same aircraft! In China, hot and cold are sold on different vending machines, so it's Japan!" "I thought"

Gregory"Oh yeah. The United States has only cold drinks, so I was surprised when I came to Japan and saw hot drinks being sold. After that, there were various things like coffee, tea, juice, water, etc. It's also good to be selling! Something I want is selling what I want. "

Funny"In France, plastic bottles and cans are only cold drinks. Hot drinks can only be found in cup-type vending machines. Both Japanese vending machines are on sale, they are everywhere, and they are very useful."

日本人にとっては当たり前のことですが、温度の違うドリンクを1台の機体で供給できるということは、外国の方からすると珍しいことなんですね！

While hearing about the difference from Japanese vending machines, Gregory from the United States was particularly surprised by the difference in product samples.

Gregory"There are many types of vending machines in the US that have only a button, and there is no product sample like Japan. There is a product logo on the side of the button, but the package can not be seen, so I do not know the product. If you are a person, you may be in trouble. "

日本の自販機では商品見本があるので「初めて目にするドリンクであっても、どんな飲み物なのか」がイメージしやすいようです。これは、商品ラインアップが豊富な日本ならではの心遣いなのかもしれません。

Funny“In France,“ I've put in money but I can't get the drinks out. ”In such cases, products are stuck on the way, so I'll deal with hitting or shaking the aircraft. It seems like some people get excited and some power comes in, so I see broken vending machines often, I have not had a drink to come out, and I have had some experience of hitting the machine (laughs) "

In Japan's vending machines, the display is far from being broken, and it's rather very beautiful. This seems to be because the vending machine is always kept clean while the operator who refills the product is patrolling. Mr. Gyouu, who is from China, was surprised that a trash box (trash can) was placed near the vending machine. Careful attention that seems to be Japanese seems to shine in these parts. For Japanese people, it is a common vending machine, but from the perspective of foreigners, Japanese vending machines may be considered as one of their own cultures.

What kind of drinks do foreigners choose from Japanese vending machines?

Funny"The carbonated drink was the mainstream in French vending machines, but I didn't drink it at all because it was not healthy. I do not buy carbonated drinks in Japan, and I buy water every day."

Gregory"I like coffee and milk tea with milk. I like coffee and tea with milk but I don't like sugar, so I chose sugar-free coffee in particular. "

Guillow"I'm going to try things more and more! I also drink sweet drinks and carbonated drinks, but recently I'm concerned about their body type (laughs), so I'm also concerned about tea that is good for body fat "!

話を聞いていると、みなさん健康への意識が強いことが感じとれました。日本の自販機でも無糖のものや0カロリー、トクホなどの商品を見る機会がぐっと増えましたが、健康や体型の悩みは、やはり万国共通のようです。

You say, "I had never used a vending machine so much when I was in my home country," but after living in Japan, I used it almost every day.
Our world-class vending machines are proud of such a world, but JR East is able to enjoy Japanese culture for foreigners.ekinakaDo you know what appeared in? that name as well"Art Museum acure(Art Museumacure)!

I asked the people of JR East Water Business, the provider of the service, and I would like foreign guests to visit Japan with a sense of hospitality, "I would like to feel more Japanese charm and the goodness of the area through vending machines." The project seems to have started from the thought.

"Art Museum acure"" Is currently installed,Akihabara,Ikebukuro,Shinjuku,TokyoSuch. In the future, it will be expanded to a total of 30 vehicles by the end of March 2018, centering on the nearest station and a mobile base station in the metropolitan area. It is a mark that the airframe that resembles a canvas is drawn with an artistic design that conveys Japanese tradition. The first is a collaboration with ink painting artist Hidemoto Momoto. The unique touch full of immersive feeling attracts attention.

Guillow"Wow! I don't have such a design vending machine in China, so I'm surprised if I see this, I'm definitely going to take a picture (laughs). ! "Let's do it!"

Gregory 'Japan has great designs with vending machines. Because America is a very simple aircraft. This design is very Japanese-like and good! "

ファニー「私もかっこいいと思います！自販機のデザインにまでこだわるなんて、さすが日本。フランスではちょっと考えられません」

By the way, this vending machine is conscious of foreigners in the lineup. Products unique to Japan, such as products with high recognition in foreign countries and "Green Tea", are lined up. As the top foreigners visiting Japan are from the Asian region, they also handle "cold drinks" that are conscious of Oriental women such as Taiwan, China and Hong Kong who do not like cold drinks.

This time, while listening to various stories from foreign people, it is amazing to know that the vending machines in Japan are given careful consideration and services unique to Japan, ranging from product lineups to functions and designs. The Although it is a vending machine that is normally used casually, if you pay attention to it again, you will be aware of the height of Japanese technology and the heart of hospitality.

※ "Art Museum acure(Art MuseumacureStarting with)acureDrinks that can be purchased from your vending machine will differ depending on the station and time of year.
※ "Art Museum acure(Art MuseumacureStarting with)acureThe location of the vending machine is updated from time to time.

◆ Contact
Advertiser name: JR East Japan Water Business Co., Ltd.
Advertiser Contact:TokyoShibuyaDistrictEbisuMinami 1-5-5 JREbisuBuilding the ninth floor Phone number: 03-6853-6001
Media Name:acureLounge