The Self-Service Culture in Japan
In my travels to four cities in Japan, I found vending machines of all shapes, kinds and purposes.
When I went to Japan for a leisurely 5-day trip, I expected to be awed by historic castles, temples, and the beautiful Japanese girls. What I got, however, was a spitting machine. I’m referring to vending machines, the kind that everyone knows drops a can of Coke or a bar of chocolate when you put coins in.
But here in Japan, they take it a step further. These machines are everywhere, and they sell all kinds of things. Starbucks and MacDonalds, at most, will have one at each block. With vending machines, it’s one in front of each shop or goods store. They come in different colours, sizes, and even form (see photos below).
It’s like a self-service nation in a country where they pride themselves for their superior service. I find the paradox fascinating. Check this out: you can buy cigarettes from a vending machine, and supposedly the machine wireless scans your ID card to see if you’re old enough to buy one. Then there’s the sign: “These drinks are free in an emergency situation” like an earthquake or other natural disaster.
Discovering little unexpected treasures is what makes travelling so exciting. The topic may not make for exciting photos, but they still can be documented, and it perfectly suits my photojournalism training. Here’s hoping that I get to travel more and frequently so that I can discover little secrets like these for my camera to capture.
