---title: Japanese Newspaper Vending Machine in the Train Station date: 2025-05-22 youtube_id: SaZuxK0OCdg duration_seconds: 728.1 channel: Only in Japan Go type: video_summary people:

• John Daub
• Local Commuter (brief interaction at end) places:
• Motoyawata Station
• Shinjuku prefecture: Chiba city:
• Chiba neighborhood: Motoyawata transport:
• Toyo Shinjuku Line (東横新宿線) season: Spring 2025 topics:
• newspaper vending machines
• print media decline
• Japanese newspaper industry
• train culture
• nostalgia
• media history food: [] japanese_terms:
• shotengai (shopping arcade)
• kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese writing) tags:
• newspaper-vending-machine
• motoyawata
• chiba
• print-media
• japanese-newspapers
• asahi-shimbun
• yomiuri-shimbun
• train-culture
• nostalgia
• media-decline locations:
• name: Motoyawata Station name_ja: 元山下駅 type: station address: Chiba Prefecture prefecture: Chiba notes: Suburban station where John discovers newspaper vending machines
• name: Shinjuku name_ja: 新宿 type: station address: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo prefecture: Tokyo notes: Destination on the Toyo Shinjuku Line, about 35-40 minutes from Motoyawata

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Japanese Newspaper Vending Machine in the Train Station

Overview

John Daub visits Motoyawata Station (元山下駅) in Chiba Prefecture to explore a fading piece of Japanese daily life — the newspaper vending machine. While most urban stations have moved away from these nostalgic devices, suburban stations like Motoyawata still host them, particularly because the commute to Shinjuku takes 35-40 minutes on the Toyo Shinjuku Line (東横新宿線). This gives passengers ample time to read, and many prefer the tactile experience of a physical newspaper over staring at their smartphones.

The video takes viewers through the history of Japanese newspapers, revealing that circulation peaked around 2000 with major papers like Yomiuri Shimbun reaching 10 million daily readers. John purchases an Asahi Shimbun from the machine and demonstrates its unique folding design — engineered so commuters can read without obstructing fellow passengers. He also discovers a remarkable service at convenience store copy machines that allows people to print historical newspaper archives, including issues from decades past.

The episode closes with John reflecting on the nostalgia of physical newspapers — the smell of ink, the feel of paper — while acknowledging that print media's days are numbered, though in Japan, thanks to an aging population, that decline has been slower than elsewhere.

Highlights

• 00:01 John introduces Motoyawata Station in Chiba as a place where newspaper vending machines still survive
• 00:46 Explains why these machines exist here: 35-40 minute train ride to Shinjuku gives commuters time to read
• 01:12 John decides to buy a newspaper and shows the selection: Asahi Shimbun, Nichi Sports, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Sankei Sports
• 01:51 Historical context: Yomiuri Shimbun has always been Japan's biggest paper, and also owns the Tokyo Giants baseball team
• 02:15 Circulation data reveals Yomiuri peaked at 10 million in 2000; the 2008 iPhone caused rapid decline
• 03:03 Despite decline, Yomiuri still maintains 6.2 million circulation — remarkable resilience attributed to Japan's aging population
• 04:19 John buys an Asahi Shimbun and is surprised to find it works with a digital IC card payment
• 04:47 The newspaper is in full color with high-quality printing and even Louis Vuitton ads
• 05:18 John demonstrates the TV and radio schedule, weather for all prefectures, and fine print that shows newspapers' comprehensive coverage
• 06:21 John demonstrates the clever folding technique that allows Japanese newspapers to be read in tight train spaces without bothering neighbors
• 07:45 Discovers that convenience store copy machines offer a service to print historical newspapers from archives, including the Japan Times from the 1980s for about 700 yen
• 10:14 John mentions he was featured in the Japan Times in 2004 and considers printing that issue out

Timeline / Chapters

Introduction (00:00–00:18)

• John arrives at Motoyawata Station in Chiba
• Introduces the newspaper vending machine as a rare sight

The Case for Paper: Why Newspapers Persist (00:18–01:03)

• Discusses the long commute to Shinjuku (35-40 minutes)
• Explains why commuters might prefer reading physical paper over smartphones

Selecting a Newspaper (01:03–02:15)

• Shows available newspapers: Asahi Shimbun, Nichi Sports, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Sankei Sports
• Discusses historical circulation rankings: Yomiuri (largest), Asahi (second), Mainichi, Nikkei

The Rise and Fall: Newspaper Circulation Data (02:15–03:07)

• Peak circulation around 2000: Yomiuri 10 million, Asahi 8 million, Mainichi 4.6 million, Nikkei 3.1 million
• Impact of smartphone introduction in 2008
• Yomiuri's remarkable retention to 6.2 million in 2025

Purchasing and Examining the Newspaper (03:07–05:37)

• John buys Asahi Shimbun using a digital IC card — surprising discovery
• Examines the full-color printing and Louis Vuitton advertisement
• Explores the TV/radio schedule, weather forecasts for all prefectures, and detailed fine print

Japanese Newspaper Design Innovation (05:37–06:47)

• John demonstrates the unique folding technique
• Explains how newspapers were engineered to minimize space on crowded trains
• Describes how people would share newspapers by leaving them on luggage racks

Nostalgia and the Future of Print (06:47–08:24)

• Reflects on the smell and feel of newspaper ink
• Mentions childhood memories of using comics with silly putty to lift ink
• Discusses the convenience store archive printing service

Commuter Interaction and Closing (08:24–12:08)

• Brief friendly exchange with a local commuter
• Final reflections on reading newspapers on trains
• Acknowledges that traditional media is declining but lingers in Japan
• Signs off with "Matane" (またね, "see you")

Japan Travel Tips

• Finding Newspaper Vending Machines: Look for them at suburban train stations, particularly along longer commuter lines. Major urban stations have largely removed them, but stations in Chiba, Kanagawa, and Saitama often still have them.
• Using Newspaper Vending Machines: Most accept both cash and IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.). Simply press the button for your desired newspaper.
• Train Reading Culture: If you want to read on the train, practice the Japanese folding technique to avoid taking up too much space. Newspapers are folded so they can be held compactly with one hand.
• Understanding Newspaper Layouts: Japanese newspapers include comprehensive TV/radio schedules, weather forecasts for all 47 prefectures, and extremely detailed written content. This is why older Japanese readers still value them.
• Historical Archives: Convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Family Mart have copy machines with internet access that can print historical newspaper archives — a fascinating service for researchers or those wanting to preserve memories.
• Cost: Individual newspapers typically cost between 100-200 yen. Archive printing at convenience stores runs about 700 yen per printout.

Japanese Language & Culture Notes

Key Terms:

• 新聞 (shimbun) — newspaper
• 朝日 (Asahi) — morning sun; one of Japan's "big two" newspapers
• 読売 (Yomiuri) — reading sales; Japan's largest newspaper
• 新聞販売機 (shimbun hanbaiki) — newspaper vending machine
• 新聞購読者 (shimbun kōdokusha) — newspaper subscriber
• 刷り (surri) — printing/impression
• 縮刷版 (shukusatsuban) — condensed/compact edition

Historical Context: Japanese newspapers reached their zenith in 2000, with combined circulation in the tens of millions. The industry was so powerful that major papers owned professional sports teams — Yomiuri's ownership of the Tokyo Giants being the most prominent example. The introduction of the iPhone in Japan in 2008 accelerated the decline, but the print newspaper industry has shown remarkable resilience compared to Western markets.

Train Etiquette: The Japanese folding technique (sometimes called 縦読み/tategakudomi, vertical reading) allows newspapers to be read in portrait orientation, taking up minimal space. This consideration for fellow passengers reflects broader Japanese train etiquette values.

Aging Population Factor: Japan has the world's oldest population, and many elderly citizens prefer traditional media. This demographic reality has slowed the decline of print newspapers compared to other developed nations.

Food & Drink Guide

No food or drink items are featured in this video.

People

John Daub — Host and creator of Only in Japan Go. An American who has lived in Japan for over 30 years, John's curiosity about everyday Japanese culture shines in this episode. He combines historical knowledge (knowing about Yomiuri's ownership of the Tokyo Giants, newspaper circulation statistics) with genuine nostalgia for physical media. His warm, conversational style makes complex cultural observations accessible.

Local Commuter — A brief, friendly interaction at the end where John thanks someone for their patience with filming. The exchange reveals John's integration into the local community — this person lives near Motoyawata and was surprised to see someone filming at the station.

Key Takeaways

1. Suburban Stations Preserve Old Ways: While central Tokyo stations have modernized, suburban stations like Motoyawata retain traditional amenities like newspaper vending machines that serve daily commuters.

2. Japanese Newspapers Adapted to Train Life: The clever folding design of Japanese newspapers demonstrates how products can be engineered specifically for the usage context — in this case, crowded trains.

3. Decline is Slow, Not Sudden: Despite smartphones, Japanese newspapers still maintain circulation numbers (6+ million for Yomiuri) that would be unthinkable in Western markets. The aging population and reading habits slow the transition.

4. Technology Revives Nostalgia: Convenience stores now offer archive printing services that let people retrieve and print newspaper articles from decades past, creating a bridge between digital convenience and physical nostalgia.

5. Nostalgia Has Economic Value: Even as print declines, full-color newspapers with premium ads (Louis Vuitton) show there's still a market for quality physical media.

6. The Reading Experience Matters: The tactile pleasure of ink on fingers, the smell of paper, and the ritual of reading remain meaningful to many — something pure digital cannot replicate.

Notable Quotes

00:31 John Daub: "You just don't see newspapers in other countries very much. But they've got a bunch of them in this newspaper vending machine, and it just makes me remember an age where we used to read the newspaper, especially on the train."

02:43 John Daub: "Because what happened in 2008 was the iPhone, the smartphone came. And people can get their newspapers on their smartphone instead."

03:14 John Daub: "It's because Japan is the oldest population in the world. There's a very good feeling with opening up a newspaper. Feeling that paper to your fingers, you know."

06:36 John Daub: "So it doesn't obstruct the people that are sitting next to them. So everybody can have a newspaper and you're reading it like this."

09:19 John Daub: "There's a nostalgia with having a newspaper, the smell of it. You get the ink on your hands, right?"

10:01 John Daub: "You think that the traditional media is going to go away, but the old stuff is coming back. Where I can get a newspaper of an article I was in 10 years ago, by printing it out."

Related Topics

• Vending Machine Culture in Japan: John has covered Japan's legendary vending machine density in other episodes. This episode shows how even newspaper machines, once ubiquitous, are now relatively rare but still functional.
• Japanese Commuter Culture: The long-distance suburban commute is a distinct feature of Tokyo life. John's explanation of why people still read papers on these trains connects to broader themes of how Tokyo's transit system shapes daily life.
• Decline of Print Media Globally: This episode places Japan's experience within a global context while highlighting what makes Japan's situation unique — demographic factors, reading habits, and product design.
• Convenience Store Services: The convenience store copy machine archive printing service represents how Japanese konbini have evolved into multifunctional service centers.

Search Tags

#only-in-japan-go #motoyawata #chiba #newspaper-vending-machine #japanese-newspapers #asahi-shimbun #yomiuri-shimbun #print-media-decline #train-culture #commuter-life #shimbun-hanbaiki #media-history #japan-aging-population #nostalgia #physical-media #tokyo-commute #toyo-shinjuku-line #konbini-services #japan-times #tokyo-giants

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