[wakeless]

Beer isn't in 'publicly' accessible vending machines any more as far as I can tell. It is however often available in the foyer of a place that normally sells beer (that might be currently shut.)

Ski resorts are my main source of vending-machine beer. Nothing better than cracking a can of Sapporo Classic in your first gondola ride of the day.

[batiudrami]

It depends where you are in Japan. I haven't seen them around Tokyo (not to say they don't exist though) but other cities have them.

[oculusthrift]

only place i saw them in my entire trip to japan was in a hotel. And it was a little underwhelming because there was cheaper and a higher selection of alcohol at the Lawson 5 feet away from the hotel