There are numerous vending machines everywhere in Japan. You can buy a can of drink even when you walk down the street in the countryside. It has long been a common sight for us but new types of vending machines showing up in Tokyo may change our mind.
A banana vending machine was installed by Dole in Shibuya in June. The temperature inside is kept at 13 degrees, the best temperature for bananas, and they are replaced three times a week, so we can always buy fresh bananas.
A few months ago, futuristic vending machine appeared in JR Shinagawa station. The machine has a 47-inch touch-panel display which shows drinks and the selection varies according to seasons, time and temperature. Also, the machine recommends us some drinks which we may like.
How can they know my favorite ones? The sensor installed on the machine determines our age group and gender when we stand in front of it, and then shows their recommendation which differs from our attributes.
In my case, orange-flavored tea and jasmine tea were recommended. Exactly. Those two drinks target women, sort of young. How about middle-aged businessmen? Energy drinks may be recommended! For now we can find the vending machine in JR Shinagawa station only, but about 500 machines will be placed at other JR stations in Tokyo within two years.