Incredible Japanese Vending Machines
Different kinds of Japanese vending machines from PingMag.
Americans are seriously missing out on the ability to purchase hot french fries or socks without having to talk to an actual human being. So until our country gets with the program, we'll just have to sigh into our sake and wish we lived in Japan. Meanwhile Tokyo-based design magazine PingMag, after doing some investigative reporting at a manufacturers' convention in Tokyo, provides updates on the latest in amazing Japanese vending machines. From a self-serve tourist information center to cigarette dispensers with age recognition software, the only thing these innovative machines have left in common is automated awesomeness.
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4 Comments:
We had a french fry vending machine at my college. It was neat the arch student lab and it was full of all sorts of vending machines - soda, coffee, ice cream bars, instant soup, chips/cookies. The french fry one was the most intriguing (and fun). It wasn't until after I graduated that I started wondering how often they cleaned the frying oil or whatever was used to cook the fries.
threedogkitchen at 6:17PM on 06/25/08
the vending machines in japan are awesome, but, last year, i had the pleasure of experiencing belgian & dutch vending machines and automats. i haven't been to japan in a few years, but these were INSANE. you can buy anything from them. bring back the automat!
dmarina at 7:41PM on 06/25/08
I still think BAM! in the east villlage is pretty cool. I think I go there too often though.
fritesandfries at 8:59AM on 06/26/08
When people ask about my trips to Japan, I always tell them about the vending machines. I think it goes over most people's heads the endless numbers of things you can get from vending machines -- underwear, gelato, cans of hot and cold coffee, juice, all sorts of drinks, not just Pepsi and Coke, like it is here.
I have to remind people that these are vending machines out in the street, not in college campuses. It's to be expected that college campuses sell hamburgers, chili mac, salads, etc. in vending machines...
Cassaendra at 11:04PM on 06/28/08