This is undeniably a different way of selling commodities compared to what’s being done in Japan, for example.
Their existence however, can be explained for quite an obvious reason.
With temperature reaching 40 degrees Celcius at times and a very high humidity, walking outside on the streets of Jakarta in the summer is not an option for travellers.
Selling bottled waters, a variety of fresh drinks, coffee, to even ciggarettes and cellphone’s cellular data, the convenience of which street stalls can offer is highly suitable for a city such as Jakarta.
Some even have small chairs and tables for us to relax, chit-chat for a couple of minutes, have a cup of coffee and continue with our daily routine.
Street vendors are also spread out in its cities.
With two wheels rotating forward under the box of commodities being sold, they can either be moved by pushing or as though riding a bicycle.
As a contrast, Japan is modernized with the new realm of robotics.
Vending machines they say, or in Japanese, the自動販売機（じどうはんばいき/jidouhanbaiki）, these machines are of a different level in terms of convenience compared to street stalls or street vendors of Jakarta.
Each machine designated differently; one for drinks, one for snacks and one for the variety of cigarettes, Japanese vending machines are greatly efficient, intelligently quick and highly convenient.
There is technically no need to talk to a person selling the commodities.
Inserting a couple of coins will get you a bottle of fresh juice, a pack of cigarettes, or an energy bar replacing your missed meal of the day.
The picture above shows a vending machine in one of Tokyo rural areas selling a variety of cigarettes.
At the bottom left of the machine, there is a TASPO sensor.
TASPO is a smart-card system which allows people of the age 20 and over to buy cigarettes through these vending machines.
There are also other types of vending machines that sell coffee, food and ice creams although they are relatively hard to find.
Interested in buying items throung these vending machines?
自動販売機を使ってみませんか？（jidouhanbaiki wo tsukatte mimasenka?）
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