over the course of six years i captured around 2000 pictures of scenes around japanese vending machines

I call this series "convenient thirst". why? when i asked japanese friends about why there are so many vending machines in japan. one said "japanese people are very thirsty" and one said "it's just so convenient for everyone".

there are around 5 million vending machines in japan, which means there is one machine per 23 people. these machines can be found everywhere even in the weirdest places, like suddenly next to a road to the top of a mountain or a single one at a huge crossing, which is mostly used by vehicles and barely by pedestrians. but still, these machines get a refill once in a while.

my goal is to capture that everyday life that happens right next to those machines. sometimes close and obvious, sometimes from afar, build like a hidden object picture. some showcase natural beauty, some come with a humorous smile.

here are some of them.

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Street scene with two people, vending machines, utility pole, and power lines outside a beige building under a clear blue sky.

People waiting on a subway platform with a vending machine beside a safety barrier.

A street scene featuring a brown multi-story building, a vending machine on the sidewalk, a large clock, and overhead power lines, with some trees and a residential area.

An empty train station platform at night with signs for Tobu Utsunomiya Line and Tohchi Line. No people are visible, and there are notices for no smoking. The platform has yellow tactile paths for the visually impaired.

People sitting on a boat with a vending machine on board, overlooking a river and city skyline in the background.

A woman walking past a Japanese vending machine holding shopping bags and an umbrella on a rainy day.

City street corner with crosswalk, vending machines, traffic light, and motorcyclists with helmets riding on the street.

A Coca-Cola vending machine standing outside near a gray metal garage door, with cardboard boxes, metal racks, and flower arrangements on top of the vending machine, next to a set of exterior stairs.

A building with a sign reading 'garden' and a green hedge above the entrance. The building has a glass door and two beige planters outside. The street in front is empty, and there are power lines overhead.

Interior of a small restaurant with wooden tables and chairs, a vending machine, a counter with kitchen staff, and framed awards on the wall.

Crosswalk with traffic light showing green, sidewalk with palm trees, vending machine, modern building, utility poles with wires, overcast sky near water.

Night view of Geneki Sushi restaurant with illuminated signage, bicycles parked outside, and a vending machine, in a dimly lit parking lot.

A city street scene with four vending machines lined up on the sidewalk near a building corner. A man is walking past the vending machines, wearing a red jacket and carrying a bag. There is a crosswalk in the foreground, and the building has Japanese

View through a wooden gate to a blue vending machine outdoors, surrounded by trees and bushes.

A small storefront on a city street with blue and yellow signage in Japanese, vending machines outside, and a digital sign with Japanese characters. There are crosswalk lines on the street in front.

An urban street scene with cars, pedestrians, traffic lights, and buildings, including a parking lot and signs.

City street corner with vending machines and pedestrians walking across crosswalks. Two vending machines are located against a building on the right, one red Coca-Cola machine and one blue snack machine. Several bicycles and a scooter are parked near