Drive-By Beauty
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Parade passing the cigarette vending machine. Larger version		Sidewalk sake. Larger version

Walking the sidewalks of Japan can often be a challenge as one is forced to step on the narrow streets and confront oncoming karuma (cars) to avoid colliding with the immobile vending machines that hog the sidewalks and multiply at a faster rate than rabbits. In fact, there are more vending machines per capita in Japan than anywhere else in the world. The Japanese store owner has found an inexpensive way to make more sales and extend his business hours.

X-rated in an X-tra yucky machine. Larger version		Get a charge 24 hours a day. Larger version

The most common machines sell drinks such as soda and coffee. A walk around my Toyohashi neighborhood took me by vending machines that hawked batteries, cigarettes, beer, sake, and X-rated magazines. I saw machines stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables, bags of rice, and I read about the most controversial – vending machines that sell teenage girls' used underwear.

Bottles or cans! We got your beer. Larger version		Coffee Boss – our can of choice. Larger version

If it sells, it can be found in a vending machine. The metallic monstrosities are most often found in the cities, but I've seen them on the side of a country road, miles from civilization. Mitsuyasan, Yochan, and I contributed to the pockets of vending owners with our too-frequent purchases of canned coffee during our road trips to clients' homes or bonsai shows. I didn't care for the coffee, but I loved the sights from the back seat of our bonsai-mobile.

Let's take a break from bonsai and enjoy the beauty of Japan.

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