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Happy vending

We do a little late-night shopping in Tokyo, where no matter what the time is, there’s always somewhere for a quick, post-night-on-the-tiles pick-me-up.

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Dream machines

In Japan you’re rarely more than a few paces from the nearest vending machine. There are more than five million of them, on street corners, station platforms, secluded hiking spots and historic temples. Spend a summer in Japan and you will be grateful for the ubiquitous presence of ice-cold soft drinks. Come late autumn, and chilled drinks turn to hot teas, coffees and soups. Drinks – soft and alcoholic – account for half of the machines, the rest offer ice cream, cigarettes, hot meals, even socks and razors, all fully stocked and untroubled by vandals. Many machines are now cash free, needing only a quick flick of a transport pass, others are touch screen. As part of the great post-tsunami energy conservation drive, vending machine makers such as Panasonic Appliance have stepped up efforts to make their machines more eco-friendly. Fuji Electric Retail Service has reduced the energy consumption of its machines by 80 per cent in 10 years. The machines are big earners for the owners, predominantly drinks manufacturers and train companies. Vending machine turnover in Japan last year was over €53bn.

Man in white shirt and khaki trousers browsing illuminated beverage vending machines in Tokyo.
Shirt and trousers by Engineered Garments, belt by Dior Homme, shoes by Russell Moccasin for Nepenthes
Woman in designer clothing using a Japanese vending machine at night.
Shirt by Yaeca, jumper by John Smedley, skirt and shoes by Dior, watch by Dior, bag by Gucci
Man in white polo shirt standing by blue Asahi vending machine at night in Tokyo
Polo shirt by Yaeca, trousers by John Smedley, pouch by Digawel, shoes by Rivieras Shoes
Man in denim jacket and shorts drinking from a Suntory Boss vending machine at night in Tokyo.
Jacket by Visvim, jumper by Yaeca, t-shirt model’s own, shorts by Crate for High! Standard, shoes by Francesco for 1ldk Aoyama Heights
Man in striped shirt and cream trousers using a Japanese vending machine stocked with colorful beverages.
Jacket and shirt by Comme des Garçons Homme, trousers, shoes and belt by Gucci, tie by Dunhill, pouch by Porter
Woman in blue dress drinks from a bottle while standing at a red vending machine at night.
Dress by Yaeca, shoes by Vans
Man in blue shirt and dark trousers using a vending machine at night on a Tokyo street.
Shirt and shoes by Dunhill, jacket by Comme des Garçons Homme, trousers and bag by Louis Vuitton
Man in light clothing using a vending machine on a Tokyo street at night.
Shirt by Yaeca, trousers by Dior Homme, belt by Gucci, shoes by Vans
Man in designer clothing using a Japanese vending machine dispensing drinks at night on a Tokyo street.
Jacket, vest and trousers by Ermenegildo Zegna, shirt by Comme des Garçons Homme, bag by Porter, shoes by Visvim

Models: Ken Nozomi Hashimoto, Taisuke Nakamuro, Saki Asamiya
Hair and Make-up: Kenichi Yaguchi
Producers: Naoko Kato, Natsumi Oh

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