Vending Machines of Japan

April 30, 2004 9:14 AM

Vending Machines of Japan PhotoMann recently decided to 'collect' images of unique vending machines found in Japan. They are everywhere. Estimates suggest there are 5.6 million vending machines which works out to be one for every 20 people in Japan. Sales from vending machines in 2000 totaled $56 billion! The most common are drink and cigarette machines followed by machines with pornography
posted by Postroad (19 comments total)

I'm trying to imagine walking past someone buying used women's panties from a vending machine and not saying something snarky...

Nope, can't do it.
posted by pomegranate at 9:30 AM on April 30, 2004

A friend sent me this link last weekend and I have to admit my favorite bit was the 'Other machines offer different varieties based on your blood type' with the designer condom machines.

"You know baby, you were great last night, but this relationship can't last; I'm AB+ and you're O-!"

Plus the egg vending machines are perfect for teen vandals.
posted by Darke at 9:46 AM on April 30, 2004

<desimat0r> they used to sell used panties in vending machines in japan
<timecop> used to?
posted by angry modem at 9:50 AM on April 30, 2004

You know baby, you were great last night, but this relationship can't last; I'm AB+ and you're O-!

In Japan, blood type is treated kind of like astrology: each type has associated personality characteristics and a couple's blood types can be used to determine comparability. I'm not sure how seriously people take it, but I do know that celebrity profile pieces in magazines, etc. will always make mention of the subject's blood type.
posted by mr_roboto at 10:06 AM on April 30, 2004

comparability=compatibility. Stupid spell checker, not knowing what I meant....
posted by mr_roboto at 10:08 AM on April 30, 2004

In Japan, blood type is treated kind of like astrology

Which finally explains to me why characters in video games often have their blood type listed. I was always weirded out by that.
posted by Mayor Curley at 10:10 AM on April 30, 2004

I always send mefi links about Japan to a certain friend, and I must say, theres a Japan related post most every single day.
posted by Satapher at 10:21 AM on April 30, 2004

God, I'd love parking in that garage with the rotating bay.

I could pretend I'm Batman.
posted by linux at 10:22 AM on April 30, 2004

really good, thanks postroad
posted by matteo at 10:41 AM on April 30, 2004

I've got this book I bought at a garage sale for 25 cents called "283 Useful Ideas From Japan" that is filled with stuff like the vending machines and the conveyor belt parking garage (including those exact ideas). It's all illustrations and little blurbs about the ideas. Some innovative stuff.
posted by druzba at 10:53 AM on April 30, 2004

The best part of the beer vending machines is that they seem to trust that underage people won't use them. None of the ones I saw in Tokyo were guarded or even inside, for that matter.
posted by tommasz at 11:19 AM on April 30, 2004

Raphael Carter also has an index of things sold in vending machines. There's some weird stuff on that list.
posted by hattifattener at 11:20 AM on April 30, 2004

The best part of the beer vending machines is that they seem to trust that underage people won't use them

Not to mention the pr0n machines. I remember taking advantage of those when I lived there as a minor. I've never truly recovered.
posted by deadcowdan at 11:55 AM on April 30, 2004

My favorite bizarre vending machine is the live lobster claw game, found about halfway down the page here.
posted by Otis at 12:07 PM on April 30, 2004

Visual proof they sell used panties in japan was all I needed to have a nicer day.
posted by Keyser Soze at 12:36 PM on April 30, 2004

roboto: dude you got a Engrish virus !
posted by elpapacito at 2:31 PM on April 30, 2004

Supercool. I'm so happy to see these photos. It made me want to buy all of that stuff (except the used panties--I generate a pair of those every day, after all!)

Mayor Curley, I had always assumed that they told you the blood type to imply that after the battle your character might need a transfusion. Thanks, mr_roboto, for the enlightenment!
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:59 PM on April 30, 2004

It's not clear that the panty vending machine is actually selling used panties. The author of that page doesn't read Japanese, and I can't make out the text on the machine, so we have only his word to go by.

I'm not sure if all were, but a few years ago, booze vending machines were fitted with ID readers, making it a lot harder for kids under 20 to buy booze.
posted by adamrice at 3:01 PM on April 30, 2004

Police in Japan are trying to curb an unsavoury trade. In early September, three business men stocked around 90 vending machines in outer Tokyo with used underwear "guaranteed to have been worn by a Japanese schoolgirl."

Each garment sells for about $29.

After searching the rule books, the police have finally charged the three entrepreneurs with violating the Antique Dealings Law, which stipulates that dealers need a license. Used panties as antiques? The police say that some of the underwear was bought from second hand dealers. The trio may also be charged with swindling, if it can be shown that the panties on sale had not really been worn by female students.

The Economist, page 76, October 18, 1993
posted by Sidhedevil at 3:13 PM on April 30, 2004