Japan is famous for vending machines. You can find them almost everywhere, from quiet streets to busy train stations. But now, they are slowly disappearing. In 2025, there were 1.95 million soft drink machines. That is still a lot, but it is the lowest number in 30 years. In just one year, 90,000 machines were removed.

One reason is price. Drinks are now much more expensive, so people stop and think, "Is it worth it?" Often, the answer is no. This small moment of doubt can be enough for busy commuters to walk past without buying anything.

Instead, many people choose convenience stores for deals, or buy drinks online in bulk. Vending machines are still common, but their easy, fun image may be fading away.