Vending Over

If you ever find the urge to just stop talking to people but still have the comforts of the modern world then Japan is for you. Everything is automated– it’s essentially the vending machine capital of the world. You can get everything you need without having to converse with a real person and I mean everythiiiiing. Convenient? Yes. Can drive you mad after a while? Definitely. 130203_Vendo3

Just in case you need something fluffy in the middle of the night 130203_Vendo2

I don’t even know what these plastic things are. Does anyone actually buy these?

The ones above are pretty tame compared to this urban myth. A giant WTF to that. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever bought at a vending machine? Or what should they sell in a vending machine in your opinion? Hmmm…

Thoughts on “Vending Over”

Monday, 15 April 2013 at 1:03 AM cindy knoke says
Excellent photo!!!
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- Monday, 15 April 2013 at 1:06 AM mariaprecioso says
  Thanks!
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Monday, 1 April 2013 at 4:21 AM marymtf says
It seems to me that Japan has arrived. The rest of us are at different stages of that journey. We’re encouraged to pay our bills on line, go to the machine at the supermarket rather than the human being and the machine at the railway station to top up our tickets. It’s depressing. Great post and eye opener, Maria.
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Monday, 25 March 2013 at 10:28 PM supremeicon says
Aren’t they just amazing. They seem to be everywhere and for everything. I’m sure you can find a bride in one before long
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Sunday, 3 March 2013 at 9:27 PM martinhesp says
Thanks for visiting my blog – yours is fascinating. Cheers Martin
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- Tuesday, 5 March 2013 at 4:07 PM mariaprecioso says
  Thanks Martin. Yours is as well.
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Monday, 18 February 2013 at 7:59 PM paranoiasnfm says

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Tuesday, 12 February 2013 at 1:56 PM beck says
The plastic things are actually little toys in plastic balls, usually toys from Japanese anime (animation) or manga (comics). Sometimes they’ve other cute little things inside like jewellery. It’s like you put in some coins, turn the knob, and out comes a ball based on your luck. Yes! People buy these things! They don’t come cheap. Sometimes they become collectibles. They have them in Singapore too. I bought some for like US$1-5 per ball before. It’s quite addictive and can really empty your pockets after a while.

One of the craziest vending machine I saw in Japan, was selling hot takopachi balls (octopus balls)! Nice but still doesn’t beat the freshly made ones.
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Thursday, 7 February 2013 at 11:04 AM seeker says
I’m hoping this vending machines will not come to Canada. Can’t imagine use these machines. What an eye opener.
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Wednesday, 6 February 2013 at 11:13 PM facelikeafryingpan says
I regularly experience late-night stuffed animal emergencies. Doesn’t everyone?
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- Thursday, 7 February 2013 at 2:25 AM mariaprecioso says
  Ahem. I have a constant supply at home. Haha!
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Wednesday, 6 February 2013 at 2:51 PM Sweet as a Picture says
How interesting!
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Wednesday, 6 February 2013 at 1:09 AM littledoglaughed says
Love your photos here-especially the top one- nice color saturation-
and thank you too for visiting my blog-I appreciate it!
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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 2:17 PM scott2608 says
Fantastic photos!
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- Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 11:52 PM mariaprecioso says
  Thanks Scott!
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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 1:58 PM Dance Pundit. says
I still can’t get over the Best Buy vending machines that sell iPods and other electronics. I see them in the airport all the time.
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- Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 11:52 PM mariaprecioso says
  Travel essentials? Haha! #firstworldproblems
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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 6:17 AM rosblogger says
I love the croquettes from the Dutch vending machine
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- Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 8:37 AM mariaprecioso says
  my goodness that sounds amazing! they should have pizza vending machines!
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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 5:19 AM jrosenberry1 says
Well, who DOESN’T need something fluffy in the middle of the night?
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- Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 8:38 AM mariaprecioso says
  true. it’s a real need. thank you Japan! Hehe!
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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 4:26 AM cindy knoke says
Loved this!
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- Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 8:39 AM mariaprecioso says
  Thank you!
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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 3:43 AM Maxima says
Beautiful post ,and blog
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- Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 8:39 AM mariaprecioso says
  Thanks!
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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 1:42 AM arranqhenderson says
Amusing piece. Of course I had to click through on the link to see, but had already guessed the content, since like (I think) most people, I’d heard many times about the “urban myth” (which as your link shows, is not a myth at all.) That, in turn, is bizarre and somewhat disturbing. Anyway, good piece, and thanks for posting.
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- Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 8:39 AM mariaprecioso says
  I know. Disturbingly hilarious. Haha!
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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 1:32 AM Animalcouriers says
Not sure at all what is in those plastic bubbles but pretty sure one could live without them!
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- Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 8:40 AM mariaprecioso says
  Choking hazards. They seemed like small plastic toys and costume jewellery. You know, classy stuff.
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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 1:20 AM kenben says
I watched a program about Japan a while back and they were showing vending machines. I was amazed at what was available. Never seen that here.
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- Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 8:42 AM mariaprecioso says
  Yeah. Some restaurants had vending machines in front so you choose your order there and it gives you a ticket which you just pass onto a window. Then you wait. And your ramen comes out. All this without having to speak a word.
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  - Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 9:53 AM kenben says
    Yes I saw that on that show.
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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 1:20 AM mrbrandondiaz says
Extra automated Cray.
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- Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at 8:42 AM mariaprecioso says
  Full seafood platter vendo. Craycray.
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