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When driving or walking around in Yokosuka City and the Miura Peninsula areas, it is easy to notice that there are many automatic vending machines ( 自動販売機 JIDO HANBAI KI ) located alongside the streets, in parking lots, and elsewhere. JIDO HANBAI KI, mainly selling drinks, are truly ubiquitous, and Japan in fact has the most vending machines per capita in the world. Due to the low crime rate in Japan, vending machines do not need to be placed indoors and locked-up at night, and even though there are more convenience stores nowadays, the number of the drink dispensing machines remains very large. One nice feature of JIDO HANBAI KI is that numerous types of drinks are switched according to the season, and a typical machine will offer various products, such as: teas & coffees, sports beverages, fresh/mineral water, fruit juice, as well as fizzy soft drinks -- which can be purchased with either coins or paper money. Additionally, in 1973, vending machines were developed which could dispense both cold and hot beverages. So, in the winter months, it is possible to purchase a delicious and warming can of coffee, tea, or even soup. More recently, some JIDO HANBAI KI accept payment via digital money cards/APPs. Another thing about vending machines is that they are easy to install and do not require any special permits, as long as the location is deemed to be safe/viable. So, many homeowners have entered into contracts with vending machine companies and bought or rented a JIDO HANBAI KI, which is then placed in front, or near, their house/property. The homeowner provides the electricity and gets a share of the sales, while the company stocks the machine and does maintenance. All of this adds up to the current situation in Japan, where there are JIDO HANBAI KI almost everywhere -- so, we hope you will often enjoy this delicious convenience of daily life in Japan.

written by Goodfield