The practicality of vending machines goes far beyond a can of cola. Here in Japan, you can grab yourself a savory soup too!
5. Yamaya Umadashi Soup
For all the miso soup lovers out there, this one is for you! This umadashi soup is made using savory soup stock consisting of seaweed and dried bonito flakes. While I’m sure this soup tastes great when heated, I had the rather unfortunate experience of purchasing a cold one. Definitely takes some getting used to!
4. Onion Soup
Don’t worry, the rest of these items are all hot soups. A rather rare find but quite delicious is the onion soup by Pokka Sapporo, a brand known predominantly for its coffee and tea products. This vending machine soup is made with real onion pieces and also comes with a rather thick texture which is warming and comforting to the soul.
3. Rich Corn Soup
A step above the onion soup is by far the best savory canned soup in Japan, the iconic rich corn soup! You’ll find many different brands offering this type of soup featuring a sweet and savory combination. It is abundant in little sweet corn kernels and the soup is thick like porridge!
2. Azuki Red Bean Soup
This next one is a Japanese classic, a hot can of sweet soup known as shiroko. Made using sweet red beans known as azuki, this vending machine soup is extremely soothing with every sip and comes with edible bits of crushed red bean too! It’s a drink that can be enjoyed by all ages as it isn’t too sweet but maintains a rich flavor and aroma.
1. Sweet Potato Milk
The top spot goes to an item that’s probably more of a café drink than a soup, but oh well! Made using yaki-imo or roast sweet potato, this sweet and tasty vending machine soup is an autumn classic. Offering a sweet and slightly savory flavor with a rich, toasty aftertaste,
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!