Early Impression of Japan

AS this is my first time travelling far away from home and the first time to Japan. My early impression of Japan  can still be clearly conjured in my mind. Japan as I know it, is famous for 2 things : 

1. Cleanliness 

2. I-Can-Do-It attitude. 

Time is precious for every Japanese. Everyone is racing against time trying to achieve more than the usual average. Thus, to accommodate to this fast-pacing society, the minds of Japan created the most convenient way - vending machines.

The very first thing that caught my eye when I first stepped out of the Kansai Gaidai Bus before reaching Seminar House 4 was this vending machine. I was thinking 'Hey, the weather is so hot and I can get a drink right across the street and it's only ¥100.' There were a variety of choices available, juice, soft drinks, mineral water and japan's famous - ocha (green tea).

August 30th 2010- Orientation Week in Kansai Gaidai had just begun then. We were walking every day passing by the same streets. I remember how tiring it was on my weak knees. The regular means of transportation in Japan is either by foot or by bicycle. I soon came to know that purchasing a car in Japan is a very serious business. You not only have to pay for the car, you need also to pay for the extravagant Taxes. I figured people in Japan needs to save more to gain more.





Beer Vending Machine



After attending the Seminar House meeting during the week, we were highly advised not to drink and walk in public. It's against the social norms in Japan. Well, the overall idea was to avoid 'being a nuisance' in public areas, especially the beer park near Seminar House 1.  'BEER PARK?' you might wonder, I had imagined a park that sells liquor but instead, to my amaze, I found this...... beer vending machine. I never thought the society of Japan is in such a rush they would opt to deposit coins into a vending machine for a can of beer.

However, I do acknowledge that it is a custom in Japan to drink a lot, especially Sake serve with edamame (green beans). Nevertheless, the idea of a Beer Park doesn't seem to be what I had in mind.When I first come across this vending machine, I was astounded. From where I come from, this is definitely not the way we sell beers.  So this was the mysterious 'Beer park.'!




Beer & Tobacco

 



What was even more impressive was the machine beside it. Tobacco!! Cigarettes! The 2 most associated addiction is living side by side right outside Seminar House 1.
How COOL can you get? was what I thought. 

This is the overall view you get from across the so-called 'Beer park'. 5 vending machines catering to all different taste and needs. The immediate impression I get when I reached Hirakata-shi was how convenient the lifes of the people here can be. I was told that drinks, tobacco and beers are not the only 便利(benri = convenient) stuff you can get from a vending machine in Japan. My exploration out of Kansai area will only begin from this weekend holiday and I am keeping my hopes high that I have yet to see the utmost vending machine available in Japan, clearly.

Ice - cream vending Machine in Kyoto


Oh yeah, by the way, from where I come from, Haagen-Dazs is not a daily ice-cream you can buy from a vending machine. You would probably have to order it from the counter. I guess japanese are indeed in rush of time.. They would always prefer the 便利way..