Japanese vending machines!

こにちわ！

I couldn't think of anything interesting to write about, but then I remembered this paper that I wrote in high school about, of all things, ...Japanese vending machines!! (Yes, I was an Asian studies geek even in 10th grade.)

First of all, these things sell EVERYTHING, from pets to hot noodle soup to toilet paper to alcohol to flowers (and even more things which I won't mention). When I visited Japan, I saw these everywhere - even in small towns in the mountains! They're just randomly plopped down on a sidewalk, every few blocks or so.

Did you know...?
-There is one vending machine (or jidoo-hanbaiki) per every 23 people in Japan! (This is according to the Japan Vending Machine Manufacturer's Association.)
--> That means that there are around 5.5 million vending machines in Japan! (There are about a million more vending machines in the United States, but think about how large the U.S. is compared to Japan!)
-In fact... There are about 37 vending machines per square mile in Japan, or about 15 per every square kilometer!
-The first vending machine was made in 1904 of wood! (go here to see a picture of it near the bottom of the page.)

Here are some pictures of jidoo-hanbaiki...

These are typical drink and cigarette vending machines. These are the most common.

This is one that sells pet beetles! So convenient!

This one sells toilet paper!

That's it for now! If you guys want to know more (or look at more fun pictures) here are a few links:

"If it sells, Vend it!" (This is a good article.)

And... Pictures!

じゃまたあした！


P.S.
To respond to some comments...

-The only other language I have learned before is Spanish. I started out in kindergarten, though (being from California), so I am very used to European languages.

-I'm not sure why I find Japan more interesting than China! I think it's partly because I have never been to China - although I have taken both Japanese studies and Chinese studies classes. I think that Japanese history, especially, interests me more in general - I find that Chinese history, until the 1800's, can be very repetitive with all the dynasties. (Although I find Chinese history from about 1900 onwards extremely fascinating - even more so than modern Japanese history!!) Also, in terms of modern culture, Japan's is definitely one of the more unusual or interesting of the world, what with all the mixing of old and new. I love that in Kyoto I can find the Japanese equivalent of a 7/11 across from an ancient wooden Shinto shrine. Omoshiroi ne?