When you traveled to Japan, you were probably surprised at the number of vending machines. There are vending machines everywhere in Japan. In this article, we will discuss why vending machines are related to the health of Japanese people.
Vending Machines in Japan
Soft drink vending machines first appeared in Japan in the mid-Meiji period (1868-1912), and there are now approximately 2.24 million of them installed nationwide. Although the number of vending machines in Japan is not as many as in the U.S., it is the largest in the world in terms of population. In addition, Japan has advanced technology such that hot and cold beverages are sold in one vending machine, whereas in other countries they are generally sold in separate vending machines.
Vending Machines Supporting Japanese People’s Health
Have you ever noticed anything when you look at vending machines in Japan? In fact, many different types of tea are sold in the same vending machine. And many sugar-free drinks such as water and unsweetened coffee are also sold. In other words, the availability of sugar-free drinks anywhere and anytime is affecting the health of Japanese people.
This is because busy office workers can easily buy healthy drinks from vending machines without having to go to a convenience store. Health-conscious people will choose tea, water, or unsweetened coffee instead of sugar-laden drinks. It is convenient that sugar-free healthy drinks are available anytime, anywhere.
Some of these vending machines are called “wellness vending machines” and sell “health” conscious products.
There are drinks for people who are concerned about body fat, triglycerides, and vitamin deficiencies.
How to Choose Healthy Drinks
If you are in Japan and want a healthy beverage to drink, I recommend buying unsweetened tea, coffee, or water from vending machine.
Beverages framed are sugar-free tea, water, and coffee. Various types of tea and coffee are sold in one vending machine. Not only that, both hot and iced drinks are sold, so you can choose according to your mood.
Extra: Unusual drinks
These are unusual drinks that you can get from vending machine.
Shiruko(Zenzai): A dish consisting of sweetened soup made by simmering azuki beans in sugar, with additions such as rice cakes, shiratama dumplings, and candied chestnuts. It is also known as “Oshiruko.”
Amazake: Amazake is a sweet beverage made by mixing rice malt with rice, rice porridge, or similar dishes, and keeping it warm to allow the starch in the rice to undergo saccharification. It is a low-alcohol sweet drink that contains little to no alcohol. Referred to as the “drinkable IV,” amazake is rich in vitamins and minerals, and it includes all nine essential amino acids necessary for our bodies to function and move.
Nabe Soup with Rice: These are congee-style soups containing a small amount of rice in crab or chicken hot pot broths. They are not sold in every vending machines and are typically available only during the winter season.
Onion Soup: Frequently encountered in vending machines within train stations. It is a slightly salty soup without any specific ingredients.
I hope this blog has been of some help to all of you. Thank you for reading until the end.
