Global Eating: A Taste of Japan: Vending Machine

http://www.cscoutjapan.com/en/

Any culture can be influenced by many changes economically, socially, and even technologically. In Japan, technology and culture combine together with the invention of the handy vending machine. The vending machine began in the beginning of the 1900s with a stamp vending machine. Today, vending machines in Japan can sell anything a person could need from an umbrella to udon (Japanese noodle soup), even with walking robot vending machines. There are over 5 million vending machines in Japan with the most popular items being different types of clothing, hygiene products, and drinks. These vending machines have been evolving to fit environmental concerns with solar powered vending machines covered in moss. In America, most people know vending machines to sell snacks or drinks and where you can only put your money or credit card through. In Japan there are some vending machines with face recognition to stop minors from buying certain items like cigarettes, touch-screens with maps, customized cappuccino machines, or vending machines where people have to watch a 30 second commercial for a free item. Many of these vending machines are very visually pleasing to people, with bright colors and creative designs to show the innovativeness of Japan. So make sure to definately check out the vending machines when visiting, they won't be hard to find!