Comments on: Vending Machines of Japan

Vending Machines of Japan

Postroad — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 09:14:45 -0800

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

By: pomegranate

pomegranate — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 09:30:01 -0800

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.

By: Darke

Darke — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 09:46:49 -0800

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.

By: angry modem

angry modem — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 09:50:47 -0800

<desimat0r> they used to sell used panties in vending machines in japan <timecop> used to?

By: mr_roboto

mr_roboto — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 10:06:55 -0800

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.

By: mr_roboto

mr_roboto — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 10:08:38 -0800

comparability=compatibility. Stupid spell checker, not knowing what I meant....

By: Mayor Curley

Mayor Curley — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 10:10:22 -0800

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.

By: Satapher

Satapher — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 10:21:46 -0800

I always send mefi links about Japan to a certain friend, and I must say, theres a Japan related post most every single day.

By: linux

linux — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 10:22:52 -0800

God, I'd love parking in that garage with the rotating bay. I could pretend I'm Batman.

By: matteo

matteo — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 10:41:40 -0800

really good, thanks postroad

By: druzba

druzba — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 10:53:04 -0800

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.

By: tommasz

tommasz — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 11:19:23 -0800

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.

By: hattifattener

hattifattener — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 11:20:42 -0800

Raphael Carter also has an index of things sold in vending machines. There's some weird stuff on that list.

By: deadcowdan

deadcowdan — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 11:55:27 -0800

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.

By: Otis

Otis — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 12:07:20 -0800

My favorite bizarre vending machine is the live lobster claw game, found about halfway down the page here.

By: Keyser Soze

Keyser Soze — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 12:36:16 -0800

Visual proof they sell used panties in japan was all I needed to have a nicer day.

By: elpapacito

elpapacito — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:31:09 -0800

roboto: dude you got a Engrish virus !

By: Sidhedevil

Sidhedevil — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:59:11 -0800

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!

By: adamrice

adamrice — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 15:01:51 -0800

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.

By: Sidhedevil

Sidhedevil — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 15:13:19 -0800

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