'All the - slightly random - places I saw vending machines during a trip to Japan'
With over 5,520,000 vending machines in Japan, that equals to about one for every 23 people in the country.
They are everywhere you would expect; on busy city streets, near supermarkets and petrol stations.
But you'll also find them way off the beaten path, far out into the countryside and in some of the most random places, as 9Travel discovered during a recent visit to the Kii Peninsula, in the south of Japan.
Here are just a few we came across (in some surprising places).
Inside the halls of a temple
Rengejo-in Temple in Koyasan is close to 1000 years old, but guests staying in the unique accommodation still have access to drinks from a vending machine in the hall.
At the entrance to a temple
We had a delicious lunch at Shojoshin-in Temple in Koyasan and saw this vending machine at one of the entrances. It's even been designed to 'blend in'.
On the grounds of a temple
Kinpusen-ji Temple in Yoshino didn't have a vending machine inside, or at the front entrance, but there was still one located close by on the temple grounds.
At most tourist spots
Even the famous Nara deer can find a vending machine just about anywhere around the popular travel destination they call home.
On the side of the road
Even driving along stretches of road seemingly in the middle of nowhere, you'll find well-used vending machines dotted for people getting thirsty on their trip.
Next to a rice field
Ancient town, check, rice field, check, vending machine, check. This one was spotted in Asuka.
At someone's front door
Walking through the streets of Nara, we came across a few lucky residents who have access to vending machines literally at their front door.
...and again
Another lucky (or unlucky depending on how you look at it) homeowner in Naramachi, Nara.
Next to a convenience store
Even when there is a supermarket store, there is often a vending machine right next door as well. Like this one in Asuka.
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