Vending Heaven
If you ever get a chance to go to Japan you will notice that
vending machines are EVERYWHERE! It is really handy and whenever
I come back from Japan there is always a period I go through that can
be considered "vending machine withdrawal".
Of course the most common thing available in vending machines
are drinks. Most of the drink machines have cold and hot
selections available, so if you are in the mood for a can of hot
coffee or a cold soda you just insert \120 (approx. US $1.15) which is
the standard price for vended drinks in Japan and make your
selection.
Not Just Drinks
It isn't very hard to find vending machines that carry some unique
items. You can find machines that sell many types of adult
pleasure such as beer, cigarettes and even Japanese sake. Some
beer machines are programmed not to sell beer after a certain time in
the evening but many sell beer 24 hours a day and anyone who has money
can purchase the beer regardless of age. Japan does not have the
same restrictions of tobacco advertising as the United States it is
not uncommon to see ads for cigarettes on trains and TV
commercials. Other items that I have personally purchased from
vending machines in Japan include shampoo, batteries, a shaving razor,
hot cup ramen and if you can believe it a HOT cheeseburger!
Vending Hell?
And although I have never actually seen this type of vending machine
it is rumored that in Japan there are vending machines that, believe
it or not, sell school girls panties (pre-worn). Hope that
doesn't offend anyone. But for your information and kind of a
side note to this page, many Japanese coin laundries post warnings
about "panty thieves" so this rumor of a panty vending
machine might very well be true.
UPDATE: This was actually true as reported at Snopes.com |
Marlboro Man LIVES!
Cigarette vending machine in Himeji City. Common in Japan.
Beer vending machine. Actually
photographed next to the cigarette machines!
Beer not strong enough? Sake vending
machine. |