That number, less than 5 million! Kore, "the number of vending machines spread" in Japan. Japan, also known as a "vending machine large country". With the number of travelers from other countries increasing toward 2020, not only that number, but also its variation, convenience, and function will be heard of frightening voices.

Vending machines that are used casually casually. Even though there are times when you think "everywhere, you can always buy, it's convenient ~", you may have never thought how long actually it will be! This time, "If you notice, you will always be here and there Pay attention to vending machines, and let's try to trace its birth and history!

Despite being inferior to the United States, which boasts 6.45 million units in terms of the number of units, it is one in every 23 people, and the penetration rate of vending machines and total sales amount surpass that US in Japan. Beverage vending machines account for the largest portion of the number, approximately 2.5 million. In the townekinakaAlthough it is a beverage vending machine that can be used in various places such as in the office, its origin goes back to 2,500 years ago.

“世界最古の飲料自販機”、それは一体どこで発明されたのでしょう？　はるか2,500年も昔というのは、紀元前215年・日本でいえば弥生時代を指します。

The answer is "Ancient Egypt"! The person who invented it is unknown, but its existence is described in the book "gas apparatus (Pneumatika)" by a scientist named Heron. It is said that it was installed in front of the temple to sell the holy water, so to say, “the holy water vending machine. Of course, because it is a "vending machine", not everyone could receive holy water at Tada.

Insert a coin → The weight of the coin makes the inner dish tilt → The tap is open until the tilt of the dish returns to the original → It seems that holy water comes out.

In a desert area like Egypt, even plain water may have been valuable. It would have been even more so if it became holy water. You may have a long procession like the picture above to get it (* 1). Both currency and vending machines are essential to people's lives. It hasn't changed since long ago when our distant ancestors lived.

※ 1 The picture is one of the ancient Egyptian murals. It is an image of a procession and does not indicate that it was lined up with the Holy Water Vending Machine.

Today, there are many types of vending machines such as drinks, sweets, foods, tickets, etc. Where it has changed, udon, hamburgers, food systems such as oden, and even gold coins (※ 2)!

このように、さまざまな用途に自販機が導入された背景には、1,800年代後半にイギリスで起こった産業革命が影響していると考えられています。テクノロジーの進化によって、さまざまなモノ・コトを自動化することができるようになったというわけです。

The "oldest vending machine in Japan" that remains even today is called "automatic postage stamp postcard sales machine" (* 3) made by a person named Tatsuya Tatsuya. As the name suggests, it is intended to sell stamps and postcards, but it also has the power of a post! From around this time, it can be said that the concept of "making people's lives convenient" as well as "selling things" has already been cultivated in vending machines.

What triggered Japan to say "Many vending machine big country" to a lot of people ... Yes, as you can imagine, so-called "high growth period", especially in the 1960s. Leading American in 1962bevarage makerIn the wake of the installation of beverage vending machines in Japan, the era of vending machines has begun in earnest in Japan.

※ 2“From curry rice to gold coins!” What is the plan for the future of the next vending machine coming from the transition of the vending machine?

※ 3 The oldest vending machine in Japan is also said to be a vending machine that sells boxed products such as cigarettes by Tatsuya Tatsuya, but the real thing is not in existence.

1970年には100万台を突破、“ものづくり”の国といわれる技術力の高さ、都市部での人口増加、人々の生活やニーズの変化……激動・急成長とともに、日本国内でも自販機の快進撃がはじまりました。人口が集中する都市部だけでなく、サービスエリアや道路沿い、エキナカなど、全国のさまざまな場所に設置されている自販機たち。こうした自販機たちが、もしこの世に存在しなかったら……?!　

First of all, it is inevitable that the town will be dark. When walking on a night road or visiting a land that you do not know ..... Have you ever been relieved by a vending machine standing with a light in the middle of the night?

When it is late for drinking party or overtime work,ekinakaI was healed with a warm drink in my vending machine ... some of you may have experienced that? Not only at night, but before coming to work or early in the morning, the coming season will be chilling day by day.ekinakaIt is also likely to be taken care of by vending machines and HOT drinks.

SuchekinakaVending machines. Now it seems to be a natural existence, but in light of the history introduced earlier, if you think carefully about it ... even a few years ago, even if there is a station,ekinakaThere was a time when there were no convenience stores or vending machines. There are no vending machines in urban areasekinakaHow difficult is it to imagine? The history of JR East is beginning in 1984 when vending machines selling mineral water named “Tanigawa Mountain Water Source Shimizu” are beginning to be installed.

"Oshimizu (Ooshimizu)" ...... This name, this label, may have some familiarity (as for the photo, it was sold only in 2014 in commemoration of the "Oshimizu" sale 30th anniversary. "【Mineral water】From AQUAOshimizu reprint bottle ").

Vending machines currently installed in JR East area "acureThe history of "started in 2006." In 2013,SuicaWith the advent of electronic money-only vending machines, it is now more convenient to be able to buy "pippy" and "quick" cashlessly. The functions that many people are using as they are now are not existing until a few years ago, if you think about it well ... It has become a very useful world!

And about 2,500 years since the birth of the world's oldest vending machine,acureIn 2017, when it reached the milestone of 10th anniversary forInnovation vending machine"Was born. If you see the ancient Egyptians who lined up for holy water, you might think, "This big black box is one thing?"

The mechanism that can be purchased with the app, a flat and beautiful LCD screen on which product samples are displayed, a cool body ... and an unprecedented "latest vending machine"Innovation vending machine". It is an unparalleled evolution compared to the times of ancient Egypt, but as "the essence of vending machines", the roots may be the same.

That means "make people's lives better." For the people of ancient Egypt, who value God and faith, "Sacred water" should have been very appreciated and valuable. The Holy Water Vending Machine must have been invented in order to make it available to as many people as possible.

One ofInnovation vending machineBeginning withekinakaEven a vending machine is not only able to buy drinks ... but it's not only that it is convenient to buy a quick drink to moisten thirsty thirsty, I guess some people are feeling something like that?

"Innovation vending machineIf so, you can experience the “latest functionality” of buying a drink with the app and have the pleasure of “sharing it with your friends”. And nowadays, SNS has become a hot topic【Sweets】Zeitaku vanilla milkIncluding "strawberry mix", "here (acure"Rare drinks and sweets-based products that can only be purchased in Vending machines in the market" line-up! Thirsty throats, nourishing for the morning, and today's reward ... and "joy of choosing" has also evolved and enhanced What is happening nowadaysekinakaIt's a vending machine.

Vending machines continue to evolve to provide our daily life conveniently and happily from the time of ancient Egypt to the day of the 21st century. Even after the last train, many people are always there during the 24 hours, 365 days a week, even if they go to bed —— next time, why not give thanks to the vending machine saying “thank you!” Is it?

◆ Contact
Advertiser name: JR East Japan Water Business Co., Ltd.
Advertiser Contact:TokyoShibuyaDistrictEbisuMinami 1-5-5 JREbisuBuilding 9F
Phone number: 03-6853-6001
Media Name:acureLounge