Daily HDR Photo — Vending Machines
That’s right – today’s photo is vending machines.
About
As any visitor to Japan knows, vending machines are quite literally everywhere. I’m not kidding. In bigger cities, you will see several on every single block. In farm villages, you may see them next to rice fields. I’ve even seen them on the tops of mountains, magically fully stocked and powered by thin air.
(I mentioned how I found one at the hidden shrine in Atami in yesterday’s post. You did read yesterday’s post, right?)
This photo is my submission to the June Japan Blob Matsuri hosted by loco in Yokohama.
Surviving summer heat — With vending machine help
Summers in Japan are rough. After the rainy season (usually June) passes, both the temperature and humidity shoot up so high that you can’t go long without soaking your clothes with sweat. You can set your air condition as low as it goes, but as soon as you step outside — instantly — you are covered in sweat.
People have devised many ways to beat this heat. Unagi (eel) is one. Supposedly it gives you the energy and power to endure the hot and muggy summer. Some Japanese swear hot baths will help. Don’t ask me how that one works, I’m still trying to figure it out myself. And of course there is the route of ice cream, conveniently located in many vending machines along with all their other cold beverages.
Luckily, as the vending machines are everywhere, you have a bit of help keeping cool every time you go out. Just bring lots of money because they aren’t cheap… (100 to 150 yen a drink)
But wait, in the photo I see…
Yes. Now, if you look closely1, you’ll notice that this photo was actually taken when it was still cold out. Many of the options in these are for hot drinks. Oh yes, vending machines have you covered in winter too. Amazing!
Do you like the photo? I look forward to reading your opinions in the comments.
Photofest Japan
I want to remind all of you, Photofest Japan is in only about a week. It is a three day photo workshop in Akihabara with classes by Juan Pons, Hal Schmitt, and Rick Sammon. If interested, visit photofest and sign up. The nice guys behind this event ask me to tell you that any signups include a free dinner with the pros on the 29th. Sweet! Check it out. If you do sign up, be sure to mention you heard about the event at JapanDave.
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Of course, you’re right. Vending machines in Japan are completely and utterly ubiquitous. There is nothing you can do to get away from them, so there is absolutely no point trying.
When I visited Tokyo in May just gone, outside where we were staying on the other side of the street there was a vending machine shoved in between two buildings. Not so unusual you say, but wait, this particular vending machine was too big for the gap, so instead of shoving it in forwards, it’d been shoved in sideways! The damn thing was plugged in and the lights were flashing, yet you couldn’t use it because the controls were not facing out onto the road!
As it’s been said a million times before: ‘only in Japan!’
I wonder who thought it was a good idea to shove it in that way. heh yep, ony in Japan.
Of course, you’re right. Vending machines in Japan are completely and utterly ubiquitous. There is nothing you can do to get away from them, so there is absolutely no point trying.
When I visited Tokyo in May just gone, outside where we were staying on the other side of the street there was a vending machine shoved in between two buildings. Not so unusual you say, but wait, this particular vending machine was too big for the gap, so instead of shoving it in forwards, it’d been shoved in sideways! The damn thing was plugged in and the lights were flashing, yet you couldn’t use it because the controls were not facing out onto the road!
As it’s been said a million times before: ‘only in Japan!’
I wonder who thought it was a good idea to shove it in that way. heh yep, ony in Japan.
Oh yes, they ‘re everywhere. A hot coffee from a vending machine saved my live up on Fuji-san (400 Yen!!)
400!! Wow… note to self: When climbing Mt Fuji, pack canned coffee in bag before leaving.
Oh yes, they ‘re everywhere. A hot coffee from a vending machine saved my live up on Fuji-san (400 Yen!!)
400!! Wow… note to self: When climbing Mt Fuji, pack canned coffee in bag before leaving.