lifestyle

Unique vending machines in Japan

26 Comments

Previously, we introduced a banana vending machine in Tokyo station as one of the more unusual vending machines in Japan.

There are many unique vending machines all over Japan, including one in a train in Shizuoka (photo), and even one that has a car in it. Click here to see more.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


26 Comments
Login to comment

Using up seat space for people. Encouraging people to drink hot or sticky liquids in a fast-moving vehicle. Get rid of the damn thing!!

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

not All Hyaku En (!)

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I have to say I'm very opposed to this. I love riding my bicycle and I've always wanted to take my bike to the beach or more scenic areas to enjoy a relaxing ride. As most of you know, you have to buy a super expensive bike bag and dismantle your bike inconveniently to take it anywhere by train.

Seeing this drink machine on the train just disgusts me. As if we don't have enough vending machines throughout the country already. How about a vertical bike rack? That's going to bring more money to a tourist area than a drink machine.

This might be cool for some people but it's a waste of space to me.

Also it would better if there was a space for wheelchairs. I think corporate Japan is very inconsiderate. I would be impressed if there was a bike rack on the train provided by Dydo. Then Dydo would not only get my customer loyalty, they'd have my respect as well. I might write these guys an old fashion letter.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

My son took the picture to school, he said it should be forwarded to "Nani-kore". ;) Most trains here to have a reserved space for wheel-chairs, etc.

Back home we can take a bicycle on the subway/trains, etc as long as we follow the rules. Many rural trains also allow them here.

For longer distance travels overseas they often have a car reserved for bicycles alone.

Said that imagine the chaos on the crowded tokyo trains if we all could take our wheels on them. Yes, many do take their foldable bikes in their cases.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

There are many unique vending machines all over Japan yes... everything from bananas and crabs to used panties

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

it's ME Where is "HERE" for you? Japan? Back home is ??

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Netninja.

This is JAPAN today, and we discuss what here? Easy to figure out. ;) Back home is Europe.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Stay on topic please.

Hardy Har Har, It'S ME.

Now lets talk the talk. Lets imagine the chaos if we allowed bikes on train. I'll get to that in a sec.

Lets imagine the chaos if drink vending machines proliferate to all commuter trains. We'd have people trying to dispose of their PET bottles and cans in the those little bins. You know darn well, that it would eventually overflow. It would be an ugly stick, smelly mess.

Now granted, I don't think bikes should be allowed on heavily packed train lines. There would be riots. However, at certain times with proper facilities provided inside the train it could be possible to transport larger fixed frame bikes on the trains. The benefit is always the environment, gas prices, traffic and of course, thinner people.

This vending machine is a refrigeration unit that not only takes up space but draws more energy than it deserves. Then there's the risk that someday a drunk guy is going to go beserk and kick the @#$% out of it. Who knows who might do something like that.

Back home for me (America) some buses are equipped with racks in the front that take only a couple seconds to load up a bike. I do miss that.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

IME, across all the continents.

Public transport services on average don't move the masses that Tokyo does. Hence different rules, etc And the pic is big news because it is out of the ordinary(Nani-kore hint).

Rest of the discussion is really mute.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The one in the train is very convenient. Imagine you're running late and don't have time for your morning coffee, or returning home from a busy day- warm/cold drink really comes in handy. I've seen book vending machines in Korea, at the station, really convenient, given how many people would enjoy reading in trains (much better than picking fights as it happens recently on trains or buses in Korea). I've seen vending machines that sell ready made food-onigiri, takoyaki,machines that sell photo cameras,we have rice vending machine and some very old, but still funcioning newspaper vending machine. Cool and convenient.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Seeing this drink machine on the train just disgusts me. As if we don't have enough vending machines throughout the country already. How about a vertical bike rack? That's going to bring more money to a tourist area than a drink machine.

Bike bags are good - a bit of extra work but you can then go just about anywhere, even on crowded commuter trains at a pinch! Give it a go!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So we pack another vending machine in our already crowded trains for conveniece's sake? Don't we have enough all around already?

If the train in the picture is in the inaka areas where unmanned train stations, that the nearest convenience store is 10 minutes' walk away, and one-man trains are still being used, sure.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Waste of space. Waste of electricity. Another example of putting money and economy before people. In a word, infuriating. Seems to be a sentiment Japanese don't have nearly enough of.

The benefit is always the environment, gas prices, traffic and of course, thinner people.

NetNinja, I suspect the reason bikes are not catered to is economic. Japanese train communters often have two bicycles. One they ride from home to the station, the other, from the station to work. That increases bicycles sales. Also, this means somebody profits off of bicycle parking almost 24/7.

Again, infuriating.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Need a line somewhere: how about a refrigerator vending machine? Want ice with that? A tire vending machine? Lumber? Carpet?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I saw an umbrella vending machine in a station once. That was weird.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I have always wondered about the vending machines which sell whiskey, sometimes in large bottles (1.5l). It seems there is no problem with teenagers buying them uncontrolled?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Using up seat space for people. Get rid of the damn thing!"

Hear, hear!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This is a famous photo from years ago. The train line is in the middle of no where and the seats are never filled up. The line is in the red and a vending machine is just an extra something to put a smile on the passengers faces. Sure you could have a built in one that doesn't take up much space like the vending machines on a bullet train, but this just happened to be the cheapest, probably given away for free by Dydo and you get to have a hot drink on a freezing cold day when traveling 2 hours on a train line that only has 2 time slots (early morning going and evening coming back) Do you know how many train lines and stations are closed down in Japan every single year because of budget cuts and replaced with a mini van?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

trains in less densely populated areas often have drink vending machines...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I wish Japan would import the Australian Body-O-Matic body-parts vending machine (http://animalnewyork.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/body-o-matic.jpg)and stock it with body parts that could be assembled into a living one of these: http://www.photo4asian.com/img/Japanese-Female/Eiko-Koike/full/eiko_koike_00048670.jpg

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

the manga vending machine is in the next wagon?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Jolly good idea & will be welcomed by thirsty commuters.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Curious no one mentions what would happen if an accident throws it back onto a crowd of commuters. No way it is anchored enough, and even a forward collision or derailment could have it careening around like a 500-kilo pinball. Lunacy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I like the one with the Miffy doll crowded in amongst the small cans of tea. That said, most of these are not that original, and if anything the location could be called original, not the machines. In Korea on train platforms they have vending machines much like the one in one of the pictures -- with study books for students -- but they contain small, easy to read books of all sorts, as well as puzzle books and what have you. Great idea, and since they're quite cheap many people seem to buy them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites