Jihanki

I've only talked about these in passing, but I'd like to discuss vending machines, 自販機, in a little more detail. In America you only hear about the weird ones that dispense panties, liquor, and porn. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I would venture to say you could get EVERYTHING you could want from a vending machine in Japan. Here are some futsuu and bizarre vending machines.

This article offers some additional insight into Japanese society and vending machines and how vending machines actually work in Japan. I have yet to see a machine out of order or steal my dollar. Interestingly, you can use 1000 yen bills (about $11) in jihanki, which is unheard of in America. The article is written in real (British) English, so I hope you know what a 'metre' is...

If you don't have any money (like after an expensive trip to Soap Land or something like that) you can use your phone to buy stuff from some vending machines. You can also get cold drinks in the summer, and hot drinks in the winter. Hot corn soup or boss coffee makes the winter bike rides quite tolerable. Recently Japan initiated a pass system requiring a special card to buy cigarettes to keep the underage kids from getting their hands on them. This pass system spread pretty quickly around Osaka, but I'm not sure its made its way to the countryside yet.

The chu-hai vending machine will always hold a special place in my heart but, like the trains, they shut down around midnight. So start your boozing early or plan ahead!