Mystery Drinks

If you don't know or care what you want to drink, this is the vending machine for you!

Only in Japan.

Vending Machines in Japan Sell Everything

Vending machines in Japan are so interesting. I'm not surpised to find out that you can buy chilled work gloves during the hot summer!

Drug Vending Machine at JR Shinjuku Station

Japanese drug company, Taisho Pharmaceutical Company is testing out a vending machine at JR Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, one of the busiest train stations in Japan, selling cold medicine, pain killers, eye drops, and other items through August 31st. This trial is testing the waters before installing them in regions of Japan with few drugstores. 

The machine sells about 30 products and is available to use between 10 am and 6 pm.  If all goes well Taisho Pharmaceuticals will consider extending the machine's hours after the trial run. 

I've never seen a drug store vending machine before, but Japan has vending machines for everything else so I can't say I am surprised.

Love Letters from the Vending Machine

 

It seems like you can get anything from a vending machine in Japan - covid tests, umbrellas, alcoholic beverages, batteries, cigarettes, fruit.  Now I read in the news that you can even get love letters. Outside a convenience store in Nagano Prefecture are some vending machines.  In one of the machines you can buy a handwritten love letter, rolled up with the sticker seal, for 300 yen. The Lake Kizaki Y convenience store owner started selling the letters three years ago, because he thought getting a love letter would make people happy.  A workshop of writers compose the letters. If you are interested, here is the shop information:

Y Shop / Yショップニシ

Address: Nagano-ken, Omachi-shi, Uminokuchi 12076

長野県大町市平海ノ口12076

(I found this story on the Japan Today website, but originally it came from SoraNews24).  

Go Big Orange

 

Recently, I started noticing these big orange vending machines around town. Orange is the team color for the local professional soccer team. I don't know if it is to show team spirit, or if the machines belong to the team and they get the profit, or something else. I think it is strange that the words on the machine are in English and not Japanese.  I have not met another person living in this little town who speaks English as their first language. This is another mystery.

Vending Machine Covid Tests

 It seems like you can get anything from a vending machine in Japan - toilet paper,

umbrellas,

alcohol,

batteries,

cigarettes,

hot soups, 

oranges,

even cold drinks.

Now, in Tokyo and Yokohama, you can buy a covid-19 test. Machines in Shibuya, Ueno, Shinagawa, and Chiyoda are offering Takenoko ENT Clinic's at-home saliva PCR test kits for 4,500 yen.

All you have to do after purchasing the kit is spit into the small round container, splash in a drop or two of the salt water solution, pour the contents into the cylindrical tube and sent it off in the postage-paid envelope provided.  The company claims results will be available within 24 hours of receiving the sample and you will be notified of the results by email. 

Machines can be found at these locations:

• 5-4-19 Osaki, Shinagawa
• Jyomyoin Temple, 2-6-4 Ueno-Sakuragi, Taito
• Shinbu Sakiya Ramen, 2-10-3 Dogenzaka, Shibuya
• Kitanorimonocho Parking, 16 Kanda-Kitanorimonocho, Chiyoda
• Ofune Station-front Building, 1-1-1 Kasama, Sakae, Yokohama

 

What do you think of that?

Foot Operated Vending Machine

 Vending machine technology is keeping pace with the pandemic. Dydo vending machine company has come up with a foot operated drink machine for those who are reluctant to touch the buttons with fingers when making a purchase. 

At the bottom of the machine are buttons with numbers corresponding with the drink offerings.  All you have to do is touch the button with your foot. There is also a foot pedal on the right side to open the plastic door to get the drink bottle. There are cashless payment options too, so the only thing you have to touch is the bottle of the drink you are purchasing.  

What do you think? Are you afraid to buy a vending machine drink during the pandemic?  Would this machine make you feel safer?

Kyoto Vending Machines

Only in Japan can you find umbrellas and beer sold in vending machines on the street!