Vending machines accept e-cash

Many vending machines in Japan (especially in Tokyo) now accept e-cash for payment. There is no need to prepare coins before buying. However, there are several different types of e-cash and they are not compatible, so you would need to have 3 or 4 e-cash cards if you don't want to carry coins at all. Convenient e-cashes are Suica/Pasmo run by train companies, Nanako, iD by NTT Docomo, and Edy.