'A free bottle of water?' Japanese tourists stunned by Yongsan-gu's free vending machines

Free bottled-water vending machines operated by Seoul's Yongsan-gu district office are drawing praise from Japanese tourists and generating buzz at home and abroad.

On June 30, a Japanese tourist posted on the social media platform X about discovering a free water vending machine on a street in Itaewon.

"I was walking through Itaewon when I suddenly spotted a free water vending machine just sitting there, completely casually — I was shocked," the tourist wrote. "The water was properly cold, too. I was so hot I was practically dehydrated, and I downed a whole bottle on the spot. It saved my life."

The tourist added: "It's one bottle per person, but seeing something like this makes me think Korea's approach to summer heat is pretty simple yet effective. Does Japan have anything like this?"

The post drew more than 5.3 million views within two days of being published. Japanese users responded with comments such as "Korea really rolls out thoughtful services like this so fast" and "The fact that it's refrigerated bottled water is great — much better than a tap or a water purifier."

Some users noted, "I've never seen anything like this in Japan. Parks have free water fountains, but you have to put your mouth right up to the tap."

The vending machine that went viral is part of "Yongsan-gu Saemteo," a district-run initiative to prevent heat-related illness and reduce the impact of extreme heat on residents. Since last year, the district has installed refrigerators or vending machines at key community locations, offering one free bottle of water per person. This year, the program expanded from nine sites to 19, adding locations including Noksapyeong Square, the Kkumnamu Community Town and the Ichon 2-dong community center.

Other local governments run similar free water programs. Gunpo in Gyeonggi Province is continuing its "Gunpo Eoreum Ttaeng" project this year, following its launch last year. The city has deployed smart vending machines that require phone verification before dispensing water, offering free 24-hour access at three locations — including Sanbon Rodeo Street — through Aug. 29.

Gochang-gun in North Jeolla Province operates "conscience refrigerators" at eight terminal and bus stop locations, stocking each unit with 240 bottles (500 milliliters each) twice daily — at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Hanam in Gyeonggi Province also runs "ice refrigerators" at nine sites, restocking them five times a day with fresh, label-free bottled water.