In August, two months passed since the third 100-yen vending machine (hereafter referred to as vending machine) appeared within a range of 200 meters along the Hyakusawa Highway leading to Iwakisan Shrine (Hyakutakujizawa, Hirosaki City).

Each vending machine that sells drinks for 100 yen is managed by a different vendor, and the "100 yen" is prominently displayed. It is often used by farmers and locals in the mornings and evenings, and is often used by tourists to visit Iwakiyama Shrine and climb Mt.

The vending machine installed in front of Hyakujin Shoten (Hyakutakujizawa), which closed in 2019, is managed by Mr. Mitsuhiro Jin, who was the store owner. “Profits are decreasing year by year, but I want people to feel free to buy with just one coin, so I keep selling at 100 yen,” says Jin. "We also prepare drinks over 100 yen and sell them in a balanced manner," he said.

In 2008, a vending machine near Iwakiyama Shrine started selling 100 yen. According to Takao Nakano, who manages the products, when the Nakano Shoten site was transferred, the price was reset to 100 yen and sales began. "The sales of the transferred vending machine were in the red. People around us were against selling it for 100 yen, but we turned it into the black," says Nakano.

In June of this year, Kikuchi Shoten (Niisato Satomi) made a “new entry” into the vacant lot along the highway. In addition to 100 yen drinks, they also sell sweets. A person in charge said, "Tourists and locals pass through the area, making it an attractive commercial area. Combined with the above two locations, we had a 100-yen match."

None of the three companies have any plans to raise prices as prices and electricity bills soar. There are three reasons for this: "for regular customers" (Mr. Kami), "because I want tourists to be happy" (Mr. Nakano), and "unless other stores raise prices" (Kikuchi). store).

Mr. Nakano said, "The Hyakusawa Highway leading to Iwakiyama Shrine used to be very busy. If there are people who are happy with the 100-yen vending machine and it attracts attention, it is 'cheap'. 'New entrants' are also welcome." smile.