Japan has the highest number of vending machines per capita, with about one machine for every 23 people.
This post showcases unusual and creative Japanese vending machines.
Coca-Cola Robot Vending Machine
Coca-Cola has giant robot vending machines walking around Tokyo.
Eggs Vending Machine
Each small compartment contained a bag of eggs, probably 10 or 12. The eggs are from a nearby farm, and the farmer fills the machine daily with freshly laid eggs.
SMART Car Vending Machine
Pushing the button on the vendor won’t exactly pop out a car, but it does dispense a branded tube containing pamphlets on the new models, dealer information, and a sheet of Smart Car stickers.
Ice Vending Machine
In Japan, almost everything is sold in vending machines. This particular machine sells ice.
Beer Vending Machine
Vending machine dispensing beer and liquor in Kyoto, Japan.
Umbrella Vending Machine
An umbrella vending machine from Tokyo, Japan.
Pringles Vending Machine
In Japan, there are even vending machines for Pringles chips. They have vending machine franchises for all types of products.
Instant Noodles Vending Machine
Nissin instant-noodles vending machine located in Tokyo.
Flowers Vending Machine
Forget to get flowers on the way home? No worries as this flower machine can be found in Tokyo’s Shinjuku station.
Necktie Vending Machine
Japanese vending machine that sell neckties.
Sneaker Vending Machine
Crafty sneaker vending machine created by Japanese sports fashion brand Onitsuka Tiger.
Vegetables Vending Machine
Unique vending machine from Tokyo that dispenses fresh vegetables.
Battery Vending Machine
It is possible to buy batteries from a vending machine in Japan.
Live Lobsters Vending Machine
This “Sub Marine Catcher” arcade game allows Japanese gamers to try their hand at catching live lobsters.
Also check out: 17 Most Unusual Vending Machines
accessoire
Japan is just crazy I wanna live there :)!
Jun 9th, 2009
ABY
hey dis iz kool…….
Jun 9th, 2009
Skylla
Is it just me or is there a french fries frying vending machine standing next to the instant noodle soup one? Even more impressive. (I actual saw one when I was in Tokyo, also saw an ice-vending machine).
Jun 9th, 2009
erwin15155
japan…oh..japan…japan=instant?
Jun 9th, 2009
me
I’m pretty sure that last video says “MAINE lobster game.”
Jun 9th, 2009
Jessica
poor lobsters!! what happens to them.. don’t think you actually get them.. they look like tourists.. what would they do with it and how would they keep it til they got home….
as for the french fries vending machine, I saw one here in Montreal! never did try it though
Jun 9th, 2009
cheezeflicker
aww poor lobsters :( and even tho that egg VM is “filled with fresh eggs daily” i would feel that it goes against all my instinkts to buy them…
Jun 9th, 2009
ephemeross
@Jessica – You eat them, lol (:
Jun 10th, 2009
Serge
That pringles one isn’t technically a vending machine as such. It’s a UFO catcher filled with pringles.
Jun 10th, 2009
jay
In Okinawa, I always wondered how some vending machines were powered. They would be out in the middle of no where for some reason.
I leave Japan tomorrow and am going to truly miss it!
Jun 10th, 2009
locohama
Wow! This is the coolest post I’ve seen in a while…including my own! Was this your idea? Suge!
Jun 10th, 2009
MiNGLED
Hey, one of those wasn’t in Japan at all. The Onitsuka Tiger was in Carnaby Street, London. Well at least they have one of their shops there.
Jun 10th, 2009
Beezy
these are convenient when stores are closed
Jun 10th, 2009
Iggy
The Maine Lobster Game isn’t a Japan only thing. Those machines can be found in the United States as well.
The Maine Lobster Game Bally’s Las Vegas
http://iggyz.com/?p=5647
Jun 10th, 2009
Jo
Nice one, here’s one to add to your post – boardgame vending machine:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightinglove/3483782246/in/set-72157617454567136/
Jun 10th, 2009
turbo_girl
Serge is right, the Pringles one isn’t a vending machine, it’s a crane game like you’d find in an arcade. I never understood some of the prizes in those things…
I’ve seen flower vending machines here in U.S. airports, haha.
Jun 10th, 2009
freedomwv
I have actually played the lobster one before. It is at Kita-Senju in Tokyo.
Jun 11th, 2009
ju
why is there an US ufo catcher lobster game in a “vending machines from Japan” entry ????
and what about the vending machines selling oden or ramen?
in Japan crazy ufo catchers are commonplace, these deserve a new entry.
to get you started:
_ seen not a lobster but a crab ufo catcher in shinjuku few years ago. don’t know if it’s still there.
_ there’s a famous ufo catcher game center in osaka where you try to grab cakes. pretty easy, got one in 2 attempts and it tasted good.
Jun 11th, 2009
Yamila
We have the flower vending machine at the airport in Las Vegas.
Jun 12th, 2009
Billy
Great to see all of these weird vending machines on one post!
Jun 13th, 2009
Nikuman
Actually the vending machine next to the instant ramen machine is not a french fry vending machine but is a machine set up by the Nichirei Corp. a large frozen food company in Japan. It can be found at many rest stops on the expressways around Tokyo. That machine sells Hot Dogs, Rice Balls and a few other items but as far as I remember no french fries. It’s a story in itself as this is the only machine I’ve ever seen here in Japan that takes frozen food, thaws it and microwaves it & then dispenses pretty good HOT food all from a vending machine! Cool post. You missed the porno vending machines with the reflective screen so passersby can’t see the mag covers without getting close and peeking in holding their hands up to block the light.
Jun 14th, 2009
Dhiram
The smart car vending machine is not for real. It is actually an advertisement.
Jun 18th, 2009
Blair
Best vending machine I ever saw was in Amsterdam train station 25 years ago – g-string panty dispenser!
Jul 8th, 2009
John Smith
@Blair
They actually used to have vending machines in Japan that dispensed used schoolgirl panties for dirty old men to take home and sniff or do whatever. They all got shut down, though. Apparently there was no law against it, so they had to shut them down using an old antiques dealing law.
Jul 19th, 2009
atalina08
wow,….
why the hell dont we have this in the U.S….?!?
Jul 21st, 2009
mimi
Where’s the one in Montreal? i’m curious!?!?!
Oct 7th, 2009
Van
A few months ago I saw a flower vending machine in a local super market in paris, totally surprised me when I saw it haha ^^
The japs have really cool and fun ideas ^^
Oct 20th, 2009
Izzy
Makes me hungry looking at all those Pringles…Seriously, why don’t we have cool shizz like that here in the USA? (except for the lobster thing…poor lobsies.)
Oct 23rd, 2009
Martina
I´m interested to buy flowers vending machine.
Nov 4th, 2009
case
what about lomography vending machine?one situated in the centre of milan, it sell not only 35mm and 120mm films but also camera
Feb 8th, 2010
Rafael
Those lobsters VM r quite interesting but it doesn`t worth to keep them there for us to have some fun… repugnant.
Feb 11th, 2010
Fresh
Why can’t they have more of these in the US???
Feb 26th, 2010
Mike
They left out the strangest vending machine in Japan… They have one that is full of used woman’s panties. It also has various adult toys.
Mar 1st, 2010
Z
What would thye do with the lobster
after they caught it, just carry it around?
Ew lol
Mar 3rd, 2010
Drew designs
The lobster vending machine in New York City is situated in a sea food restaurant; customers can try their hand at catching a lobster (i think it costs 5 dollars) and if you catch one, the restaurant will boil it for you for free for you to have as your meal. It’s pretty hard to do though.
Mar 24th, 2010
timmay
lol i love them all, it would be nice if the smart car vending machine did pop out a car, the weirdest vending machine i ever saw was a tennis ball one.
Apr 19th, 2010
Mike land
Saw how they made the french fry machine where it wouldn’t spoil while the machines waited for customers. They borrowed from the cook book of a nuclear submarine that is out for 3-month stints with no supply refills. The machine is loaded with dry potato pellets. When someone orders a batch it rapidly heats up the oil and reconstitutes the potato mix. It then injects the mix into the oil until a proper amount of fries is created. It then times the batch and vends it to a container and spits it it.
Growing up, I always loved the Canteen machines. Remember the cups that fell, then ice, then syrup and soda water? It was the best. Can’t find them anywhere these days.
Jun 3rd, 2010
Nissei
I’m so tired of hearing about the used panties! I’m sure a lot of people are probably under the assumption that these were on every corner. During all my stays in Tokyo, I never saw one of these. I’m guessing that they were probably in a sex shop and another post says that they not even allowed anymore. Get over it!
Jun 9th, 2010
Just For You
@Nissei
Have you heard of the used women’s undergarment vending machines? I just can’t get over how crazy those vending machines must be. They must be everywhere throughout Tokyo.
Feel better now?
Jun 9th, 2010
Yes ask it of him again
Yes, I remember it very clearly, I was close to a lake the other day, and suddenly a loch ness monster reared it’s snaky head out the water. It said in a southern accent “Hey boy, you been to Japan?” “I hear they got them used panty machines” I asked it “How much were them used panties?” It then looked away and mumbled “Three Thirty”
Jun 25th, 2010
brad fidler
i want oe of them how much are they ???
Aug 5th, 2010
Andrew
I think the Onitsuka Tiger machine was just a marketing stunt from two years ago…
Aug 16th, 2010
emmajane
Yeah, I”ve been to japan and they have vending machines everywhere. Even by the side of the road in some places in the country side. The Coca cola one is so cool!
Aug 29th, 2010
aimee
Wish I lived in japan :-(
Sep 5th, 2010
jaquan
wow…..!! that lobster one is too stupid…y would u vend lobsters..??
Sep 20th, 2010
ChEeSe
they were mostly all from japan, i wanna go there!!
Sep 21st, 2010
Kwang
Wow!!!!
Great to be in Japan for 6 days. And I will definitely revisit this country again. I am very impressed with all vending machines I found at least 2 vending machines for every 200 to 300 m.during walking by the street.
I wish I could live in Japan. And I wish Japanese should start speaking English since Japan now is a very popular country for tourists. Life is very difficult when no one speaks English. Lots of non-verbal conversations play a significant role for tourists who can’t speak Japanese to survive.
But, I love Japan. And I will go back again soonest.
Sept.27th, 2010
Sep 27th, 2010
Nikki
I just moved back from Japan and well this is normal stuff. The frying vendy is kinda good too
Nov 4th, 2010
Dyohna
Eggs? Neck ties? Sneakers? Really?
Nov 14th, 2010
Victoria
That live lobster vending machine is sooo crazy!!! i think by the time when the lobsters have been played (or abused) for so many times, they would already not be fresh. It looks really entertaining though and definitely brings some money for that place. *animal cruelty!
Nov 23rd, 2010
larissa : )
OH my god ! this stuff is so kool :) a car in a vending machine hahah thats so koool :) flowers noooodles ? omg what nextt
Dec 6th, 2010
Sandra M.
I have seen flower vending machines in some hospitals in the Los Angeles area.
Also, I would drain my bank account if I had an Onitsuka Tiger vending machine anywhere within walking distance of me.
Fun post!
Jan 23rd, 2011
Andy
@John Smith: Sorry but those machines never existed.
Every time you see a picture of a “used panty machine” it actually just sold fresh pantys. And you can find machines like that also in the US and Europe on most airports. So people can buy a fresh pair of underwear when they have to stay longer than thought.
Jul 9th, 2011
Sasha
That is seriously animal cruelty. Lobster tanks are bad enough already.
Jul 10th, 2011
ginny
all that and no frozen coke machines..lol )hong kong has them)
Jul 12th, 2011
peter
this is nothing new.
Asians are just to awesome
Oct 27th, 2011
Debbie
I bought an umbrella from a vending machine when I was in Tokyo – best umbrella ever
Nov 11th, 2011
Scotty
these are really cool can you get them anywhere in the USA
Jan 3rd, 2012
Susan
Seafood restaurants offer the lobster vending machines–usually, they cook the lobster for free of you catch it.
Feb 3rd, 2012
GUTMAN
That lobster catcher is such an awesome idea… I want 1… lol
Apr 1st, 2012
Mich
A really strange vending machine I saw in a short documentary on Japanese vending machines was for a defibrillator
Jun 5th, 2012
kieran
i was just in japan and around tokyo you’ll only find the beer, drink and rarely cup noodle machines. the rest exsist, but are only a few of a kind. the pringles machine above, for instance, is actually a game, see the prize out slot for the pringles chips.
Aug 4th, 2012
stephenie
When I lived in Japan (1995-1997,) I actually saw one of the used underwear vending machines, outside in an alley, in a normal part of Tokyo. I suspected it was new underwear, just repackaged but, they were sold as having been used (I speak and read Japanese.) I think the price was 2000Y, about $20 US then.
Some other VM I have seen; raw rice, dog food and leashes, ice cream, marital aids.
Natsukashiii na!
Aug 12th, 2012
illeander
Italy made a pizza vending machine that makes the pizza from scratch in under 3 minutes. Seriously, from scratch. the machine mixes up the dough and everything.
Feb 7th, 2013
Phairot
I actually saw the same Lobster machine in Hawaii.
Jun 21st, 2013