■What This Article Is About
In Japan, vending machines are everywhere — on street corners, by rivers, even in quiet neighborhoods. They don’t just sell soda; sometimes you’ll find coffee, soup, or even bananas.
One summer day, after swimming at the pool, I stumbled upon something I had never seen before: Sparkling Aquarius.
I’m usually a beer guy, but this first encounter with a carbonated version of Aquarius brought me back to a feeling I thought I’d lost — youth itself, for just 150 yen.
After the Pool, I Grabbed One Can
Normally, I’d say, “Good work, time for a beer!”
But since I usually ride my motorbike or drive to the pool, beer would mean jail time (and social death).
So there I was, standing in front of a vending machine, thirsty. “I’ll drink beer at home anyway…” I thought.
But that one small moment of thirst led me to something new.
There it was:
“Aquarius Sparkling – 150 yen.”
Wait, Aquarius with carbonation?!
My heart skipped a beat.
First Sip — Boom! Youth in a Can
I hesitated.
“150 yen? I could buy a beer instead.”
“What if it tastes bad? I’ll regret it all day.”
But curiosity won, and I pressed the button.
One sip later… BAM! Ice-cold bubbles shot through my body.
“Whoa, this isn’t losing to beer at all!”
(Of course, almost any soda feels good when you’re thirsty, but still.)
No alcohol buzz, but the refreshing kick was exactly like the feeling after high school club activities — pure youth in a can.
What Is Sparkling Aquarius?
‘Sparkling Aquarius’ is a sports soda with a refreshing grapefruit flavor.
- Contains 1,400mg of citric acid (sounds a lot, but actually only 1.4g — less than half a teaspoon. A classic case of number magic!)
- Light sugar and sodium for hydration
- Low-calorie: 19 kcal per 100ml
- Can size: 350ml
💴 Price check:
- Vending machine: 150 yen (≈ $1)
- Online (Amazon/Rakuten): about 100 yen per can in bulk
So yes, I technically overpaid by 50 yen. But honestly, the excitement of that moment was priceless.
👉 Check on Amazon ｜ Check on Rakuten
Sunset, Super Cub, and a Daydream
After finishing the soda, I rode my Honda Super Cub into the sunset.
Cicadas were buzzing, the summer air was warm, and suddenly I thought:
“Am I the hero of a TV commercial right now?”
…Totally a delusion.
But still, in that moment, it somehow felt real.
(Yes, this is how middle-aged men create their own “movie scenes.”)
Childhood Flashback
It reminded me of my childhood summer vacation.
Tired after hours in the city pool, my friends and I would pedal our bikes home along the riverbank, laughing:
“Let’s swim again tomorrow!”
That evening glow, that warm breeze — it felt exactly the same now, even though I was riding a motorbike instead of a bicycle.
For a second, I almost teared up.
150 yen for sparkling water, and I’m crying? Best value ever.
Final Verdict: Soda by Day, Beer by Night
The sparkling Aquarius refreshed both body and soul.
But by nightfall, my hand naturally reached for a beer.
Daytime fling? Possible. Lifelong partner? No.
My love always returns to beer.
Recently,
💴 Price (24 cans, 350 ml):💲 Price (Asahi The Vitalist, 24 cans, 350 ml):
Amazon/Rakuten: $33–40
👉 Around $1.40–1.70 per can
👉 See on Amazon ｜ See on Rakuten
✅ Related Articles (English)
- From Jogging to Beer: One Guy’s 50s Fitness Comeback
A story of how a short run at the gym makes that one beer taste even better.
👉 Read the article - A 50-Something Guy, Claiming the Title of Spicy King!🔥
Taking on the legendary Hokkyoku Ramen (10x spiciness) — a fiery 50s青春 challenge.
👉 Read the article - My Back Hurt, But I Could Still Swim — Restart in My 50s
Even with back pain, swimming became a way to reconnect with life and health.
👉 Read the article
コメント