Postcard Getaway

Discover the Unexpected Treasures Hidden in Japan’s Vending Machines

Written by Kaelie Piscitello

Japan is a vending machine paradise! Each street has at least two machines posted at every street corner, and they offer people easy access to cheap, refreshing beverages. I came to rely on them during my trip there last summer in the sweltering 90-degree weather I experienced each day. They provided the most convenient, cheap way to stay hydrated and refill my reusable water bottle throughout the day.

While most machines offer easy access to cold drinks, they also sell some unexpected products, including yakitori, crepes, and toy train models! There is no shortage of interesting products to find in these easy-access machines, which contributes to the allure of Japanese travel for many vacationers.

Alcohol

When I stayed in Japan, I stumbled across an alcoholic vending machine stocked with several kinds of beer. The machines I saw did not ask for any age or identity verification when I purchased a drink, leading me to think these could facilitate underage drinking.

Some websites say these machines require a Japanese driver’s license to buy, but I didn’t see that at all.  Upon further research, I learned most alcoholic dispensers sit outside of hotels and independent liquor stores. 

Hanko Seals

Hanko Seals have become the easiest way for Japanese people to sign their names. These stamps have the owner’s name engraved to make it easy for people to press the material to the paper and have an instant signature. If someone loses their’stheirs, they have no need to worry because they can just go to a Hanko seal vending machine!

Venders that sell Hanko Seals can custom-make them for 500 yen (USD 3.36) in under ten minutes. Travelers can find these all over the country; several Don Quijote branches have them.

Rare Milk

The Akihabara Station along the Chuo line offers a rare milk stand with unique flavors from around the country, including vanilla and coffee milk. To see this interesting array of dairy products, walk over to platforms five and six and sample one of the unique products.

The Fresh Cream (Namakuri) Vending Machine in Shibuya also offers dairy beverages and cakes. It is expensive, charging customers 780 Japanese Yen for their drinks, but reviews deem the products worth their steep price.

Insects

Yes, that’s right. Akihabara and Tokyo both have edible insect venders all over the place.  While this sounds gross, some believe eating bugs has health benefits because of their high protein and Omega-3 content.

The MOGBUG Insect Vending Machine remains open for 24 hours in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and its pink exterior will fool many at first glance. If a tourist does not want to sample MOGBUG’s products, they can try those from Nakano Broadway or Ueno.

Mystery Dispensers

Everyone remembers the mystery box toys people would buy as kids for the thrill of guessing which character or toy would wait inside and then discover whether they received the one they wanted.

King’s Treasure Box takes full advantage of the fun associated with this tradition and charges customers 1,000 Yen for a surprise item!  Vacationers can find King’s Treasure Boxes all over Tokyo, including Dogenzaka in Shibuya and next to a KFC in Akihabara. 

Cake in a Can

Ever fancy eating a moist, tasty cake straight from the…can? A vending machine in Osaka has a cake in a can vending machine with all different layer cake flavours, including a strawberry shortcake!

While the prospect sounds gross, many have reported the cake tastes satisfactory, and the fruit inside remains fresh!

Oven Baked Pizza

How about a cheesy, crispy pizza straight out of the… machine? Frozen pizza meals have become all the rage in Japan, and they sell them frozen for people to make at home. The costs range from 500-600 yen, and they offer all kinds of flavors, including Margherita and pepperoni.

Of course, because the pizza comes frozen, people can make it home in an oven for a lasting fresh taste. The machines in Osaka and Kyoto are open 24 hours daily.

Waffle Machine!

Everyone loves a waffle, and now, finding them in public has become easier than ever through the Kobe Rokko dispenser. The waffles come in different flavours and toppings; customers purchase the famous Dutch Stroop waffles!

Kobe Rokko has several machines spread across Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe; locals and tourists love to sample them constantly.

CBD

Like the rest of the world, Japan has come around to the idea of CBD. If they can have an alcoholic machine, then they can have a CBD one. CBD has higher prices there, and vapes can cost 3960 JPY for the device, so purchase wisely.

Furthermore, only people over the age of 20 can buy these products, and customers must present their ID to proceed.