English
Vending machines are a very important part of everyday’s life in Japan, because they are the most practical way to purchase products anywhere you go. There are over 5 million vending machines in Japan, which means that there is 1 vending machine per 23 people. These machines are protected with a security system that sends a signal to the police if they are attacked.
Technology rules the vending machines in Japan to the point that it is possible to use rechargeable smart cards to buy products. All you have to do is recharge a card, touch the card to the sensor and voilà you have purchased a drink.
The modern vending machines are equipped with touch screens to select the item you want to buy. Besides this, these machines are able to suggest you a beverage; as a camera on the top of the screen can detect your age and sex, as well as the current weather.
Photo: Ben Garney
Japan has one of the highest concentrations of vending machines in the world, so it is actually possible to get a wide range of products that go from bananas to women´s underwear from them. Let´s take a look at the weirdest of all:
1. Lettuce Vending Machine
It is common to knowledge that most of the vegetables that are available in the vending machines are not as healthy as the fresh ones you could get in the market. However, many Japanese people love the lettuce vending machine called “Chef´s Farm”, which not only sells lettuce, it also grows them, in fact it can grow up to 60 heads of lettuce a day using fluorescent light bulbs.
2. Bananas Vending Machine
People live in constant motion in the big cities, so there is not always time to eat a healthy meal. That’s why Bananas vending machines are very popular in Japan, especially at breakfast time. These bananas are refrigerated, individually wrapped and always fresh, since they are changed 3 times a week. Each banana costs 130 Yen and you’ll always find trashcans next to the vending machine where you can throw the banana shells after eating.
3. Umbrella Vending Machine
This is the perfect invention for the rainy days. For just 500 Yen, you can buy an umbrella and stay dry despite the rain.
4. Cigarette vending machine
These vending machines will not seem anything out of the ordinary. However you need to know that you are not allowed to smoke in Japan before you are 21 and in order to buy cigarettes from a vending machine, you must have an smoking identification card called Tasco. The application to obtain one of these cards can be found at one of the many kiosks throughout the city.
5. Rice Vending machines
Although these are not the most common ones, in some specific areas, you may see Rice vending machines from which you can buy 10 kg rice bags; there are eight different types of rice and are always available 24 hours a day.
6. Used panties vending machine
Despite being outlawed in 1993, it is still possible to find this kind of machines, which have been rated as the world´s strangest, thanks to its large component of perversion.
