There are a lot of vending machines in Japan. Every block or so, there’s at least one vending machine, usually selling beverages (sodas, coffee, juice, tea, beer) but I also saw ones selling ice cream and, of course, ramen. Since I’m addicted to coffee, and as a service to you, my readers, I tried at least one vending machine iced coffee a day. The average was about $1.50/can. Most were pretty good, but I have to say that the best kinds were not found in vending machines but in convenience stores. The convenience store coffees were a bit more pricey but they were a lot better — probably because they were fresher (and therefore, more expensive), and were free of the metallic taste that were sometimes found with the canned iced coffees.
A typical selection of coffee at a Japanese convenience store (middle 2 rows).
How did I choose which ones to get? Well, I tried to do what I could with my limited Japanese. I avoided the low sugar or sugar free ones. I also stayed away from any of the ones saying “MAX” on them, to avoid going into some caffeine-crazed tailspin. Mostly, I went for lattes. Sometimes I chose the coffees based on labels, such as the Boss Coffee Rainbow, since it seemed very happy and gay-friendly.
Some of my vending machine selections: The apple Teas' Tea was too sweet. Fire coffee was just OK. I liked the Boss Rainbow.
The collage below was taken from 5 vending machines side-by-side at a park/nature reserve area. So many choices!
poor scientist. will blog 4 food. 
December 28, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I love that the grocery store coffees come in Starbucks-style cups. I also really really want to try Boss Rainbow coffee now!
December 28, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Let’s make a special trip, just for Boss Rainbow Coffee!
December 28, 2009 at 6:59 pm
this is fascinating. do they really have milk? or soy?
December 28, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Good question! My best guess is milk or cream in the convenience store coffees, and creamer in the vending machine ones. Neither gave me any problems, lactose-wise, so if there was milk, it wasn’t a ton.
December 28, 2009 at 7:45 pm
My husband lived in Japan for two years and he told me all about these crazy vending machines in Japan. He said he even saw a vending machine for dirty underwear!!! Craziness. But I really love that they have vending machines for just about anything. 🙂
December 29, 2009 at 5:38 am
Yeah, I had heard about the underwear and porn vending machines but I never saw them.
March 5, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Now, being home and all, I am always slightly disappointed when I walk outside and don’t find vending machines everywhere.
Those Japanese vending machines are seriously CONVENIENT. And I feel the same way as you, except for tea. 🙂
And the Boss Rainbow Coffee looks DOES look happy and gay-friendly. I want one.