I remember the first time I saw a beer vending machine in Japan. It was about 9 years ago in Osaka, somewhere near Americamura.
Over the last few years though I've not seen many. Either it's because I've basically stopped drinking alcohol, or because of efforts to cut underage drinking. Still, if you leave the big city centres and head for quieter areas you'll still find them (often outside liquor stores).
Unlike the new cigarette vending machines there's no need to show the machine any proof of age ID card - the hardest thing is choosing just how drunk you want to get and selecting the appropriate size can.
I'm just walking to my in-laws' house from a station in Saitama, north of Tokyo. We're celebrating my brother-in-laws' birthday (who incidentally is Scottish), but I won't be drinking. It was after myself and my other sister-in-law's English partner (yep, 3 British
partners in one Japanese family!) drunk a whole crate of beer between us here at New Year about 3 years ago that I quit drinking. It messes with my head, sees whole days spent with hangovers getting nothing done!
I'm sure we'll have some great food though - and birthday cake!
Joseph
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Exchange student
Saw one when we were at Nasu, but yeah, haven't seen any in Tokyo yet.
And yeah, I'm guessing it's to stop underage drinking. :P
Magi 2nd network assistant
If I do understand what you mean with hangovers ;)
Wise choice of yours.
Boukenger
Took a pic of a kirin machine my first trip to Tokyo. Couldn't believe it.
System Admin
http://www.testcase.net
My first beer was a Budweiser I bought from one of these that was way-out away from where I was staying and it was like ten at night. Think I was 10 at the time. Good times, good times...
Banking...
"This one serves beer!!!!"
I've seen a few of those while I was over there, but I never used one. I'm not too big of a drinker, though.
Student
That's pretty cool but it would be a big problem here as underage drinking is a big problem in Australia, it's pretty much the cause of most accidents, violence and crimes.
About that......
mmm its definitely a big problem down here, the fact these drunks down here aint going to learn, and will cause harm towards others without giving a crap at all. although there are people such as myself who are just happy drunks xD
still trying to figure it out...
http://pipopaz.wordpress.com/
never though there was a beer vending machine XD
Programmer
you dont have to quit drinking just dont drink too much. Although if that was the problem ...well then, good for you.
About that......
thats the problem, theres people who cant hold restraint upon themselves and end up doing stupid stuff coz of their drunken behaviour.
Upcoming College Student and Otaku
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Well, I guess either have a camera or something to scan your ID for beer or alcohol.
illustration student
http://kylefewell.blogspot.com/
when i was there a couple months ago studying abroad in tokyo there was one between my school and the 7-11. it was in the azabu district about a 3/4 miles from tamachi station.. i never got anything from it however. the 7-11 had more than enough alcohol to choose from ;D