Shokken

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A shokken machine at a Matsuya restaurant

Shokken (in Japanese:食券) are a type of Japanese ticket machine/vending machine.

Information[edit]

Shokken machines were first seen in 1926 at Tokyo Station[1] There are currently over 43,000 shokken machines in Japan.[2]

Shokken are often found in restaurants, cafes, fast-food restaurants and other establishments. A typical shokken machine features buttons where the customer can select an item, a coin slot, where the customer can pay for the item and a printer where the customer can receive their receipt. Upon receiving their receipt, the customer can then exchange their receipt for their purchased item.[3][4][5][6][7][8] Shokken machines can be standalone machines and sometimes are located on countertops and tables. Shokken machines can also be modified for other uses.[9]

Companies often use shokken machines as they can reduce the amount of staff needed, reduce theft, reduce the turnover rate and can help reduce ordering errors.[10] While useful, shokken machines are not associated with a fine dining atmosphere,[10] as they are often seen in inexpensive restaurants such as Matsuya, Yoshinoya and Sukiya. Shokken machines also can break and limit customized orders.[9][11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ 進化しながら働き続ける券売機約100年の歴史 [About 100 years of ticket vending machines that continue to work while evolving] (in Japanese), kenbaiki.jp, 2017, retrieved 13 March 2023
  2. ^ 去日本吃拉麵第一關就被這台機器難倒?日本餐飲業為何這麼愛用餐券機? [Frustrated by this machine at the first level of eating ramen in Japan?] (in Chinese), yam.com, 2021, retrieved 13 March 2023
  3. ^ Japan Made Easy, publisher: Passport Books, published: 1995
  4. ^ Japanese language and culture for business and travel, publisher: University of Hawaii Press, published: 1987
  5. ^ Japanese: Familiarization & Short-term Training, publisher: Foreign Service Institute, Department of State, published: 2011
  6. ^ These Ticket Machine Button Keychain Toys Will Bring Back Memories Of Eating Out In Japan (in Japanese), grapee.jp, 2019, retrieved 13 March 2023
  7. ^ Baseel, Casey (2015), Man arrested for buying beef bowl with bloodstained cash, might also like his steak extra-rare, Soranews24, retrieved 13 March 2023
  8. ^ 【自販機大国にっぽん!】海外の人は知らない食券機の使い方 [[Vending machine powerhouse Japan! ] How to use a ticket machine that foreigners do not know] (in Japanese), livejapan.com, 2019, retrieved 13 March 2023
  9. ^ a b 食券機を導入するメリット・デメリット [Advantages and disadvantages of introducing a ticket machine] (in Japanese), kenbaiki.hp, 2020, retrieved 13 March 2023
  10. ^ a b "Explain the merits and demerits of introducing meal ticket machines in restaurant management".
  11. ^ Read Practical Japanese, publisher: Kenkyusha, published: 1976