Japan is well known for its fantastic food, but while meals like ramen and sushi have spread far and wide in other countries, many delicious drinks are not as well known. Vending machines are very common in Japan, stocked on street corners with a variety of refreshing choices that newcomers might not have ever heard of before.
Here’s a list of just a few of those unique Japanese beverages so you can keep an eye out for them!
Ramune
Ramune is a carbonated soft drink with a fun surprise inside. The signature glass bottles are sealed with a marble which is trapped within the neck of the bottle after opening. Instead of being a piece of trash to toss aside like a normal lid, it continues to rattle around while drinking. Ramune is especially popular amongst children because of this, but people of all ages enjoy the refreshing beverage. The drink is also associated with summer festivals, with stalls both selling it and collecting the empty bottles for recycling.
Melon Soda
Melon is a popular fruit and flavor in Japan, holding significance in part due to its place within Japanese culture as a type of gift. Soda brands such as Fanta and Ramune have their own versions of melon soda, with most being identifiable by their vivid green color. Making melon cream soda at home by mixing regular melon soda with vanilla ice cream is another popular option for those who enjoy the refreshing taste.
Canned Coffee
Canned Coffee is just what it sounds like: coffee sold by the can, often in vending machines and convenience stores for affordable prices. Some vending machines even keep the drinks heated when it’s cold out, making sure that the coffee is delivered hot for customers no matter the season. Many major Japanese coffee companies, such as BOSS and UCC, have their own versions of the canned beverage with options that range from milk to iced coffee.
Calpis
Calpis is a soft drink with a milky taste similar to that of yogurt. The drink comes in both carbonated and non-carbonated varieties, Calpis Water and Calpis Soda respectively, as well as a concentrate in different flavors. Aside from being consumed alone, it can be used as an ingredient in recipes, such as serving as a flavoring for shaved ice and drinks. One important fact to note if you’re looking to find the drink is that in some countries, especially in North America, it is sold as “Calipico”.
Pocari Sweat
Pocari Sweat is a Japanese sports drink for regaining hydration and electrolytes. In the many countries where it’s widely consumed, its popularity and purpose is similar to that of Gatorade in the U.S. At first the beverage’s name might seem off-putting to some English speakers, but it serves to convey how the drink is meant to replace what the body loses through sweat. Although Pocari Sweat’s packaging has changed over the years, now even available as a powder, bottles with the signature white and blue label are still a staple.
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Writer: Nina Moothedath
(6/2/2022)
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