Hanbaiki: Japan's Vending Machines and What They Sell

Automatic vending machines make life easier in Japan. They are known as jidohanbaiki (自動販売機), or simply hanbaiki, and there are more than 5 million of them across the country. You can find one on busy corners, at the entrance of markets and stores, and even in places where you would not expect to see a machine at all.

Most hanbaiki serve hot and cold drinks like tea, soda, coffee, energy drinks, beer and more. In reality, there are countless machines that sell things you would never expect from an automatic machine, and that is exactly why they are so interesting.

What do Japanese machines sell?

Besides the usual drinks, snacks and sweets, some hanbaiki sell rice of all kinds. Others sell milk, umbrellas and batteries. There is even a machine with a small drawer where you can place your phone and charge it. And of course, you will also find hanbaiki that sell fruit and vegetables.

It is not just snacks. Some machines sell hot dogs made on the spot. In certain temples and shrines, you can find machines that sell charms and fortune slips. Others take the place of an ice cream shop and sell different flavors of ice cream.

Why go to a toy store if there is a hanbaiki that sells toys? If you do not feel like walking into a clothing shop, you can buy a tie from a machine instead. Eggs are also commonly sold in hanbaiki.

There are also machines that sell Cup Noodles. Hanbaiki that sell clothes, T-shirts and accessories exist too. Some even sell used underwear, while others go much further and sell gold bars, koi food and bananas.

We should not forget the machines you see at train stations and other places, which sell train tickets, event tickets or similar items. Even gas stations use automatic machines for payment.

There are many bizarre vending machines we did not mention here. Some sell bicycles, and there is even one that sells a car. Just like the konbini, these machines make daily life in Japan much easier.

Hanbaiki are a small but very typical part of everyday Japan. That mix of practicality and surprise is exactly what makes them fun to talk about.