From beer to used panties, an exploration of Japan’s crazy vending machines

Vending machines. They’re low tech. They’re easy to ignore. Heck, if you go to the zoo or an amusement park, one will probably charge you like US$4 for a bottle of soda. Vending machines suck!

Ok, ok. Just bear with me for a moment…

Japanese vending machines.

Now I’ve got your attention!

It’s easy to understand why people across the globe are fascinated by Japan’s vending machines. First of all, they’re everywhere. One of the first things a visitor to Japan is bound to notice is the staggering number of vending machines that greet them at the airport, the train station, the hotel – the fluorescent glow of the Japanese vending machine is inescapable, even in the countryside.

More than pure ubiquity, however, is variety. Drink and snack vending machines are universal, but Japan takes convenience – and crazy – to a whole different level with what can be had at the push of a button. Beyond the typical soda and tea, some Japanese vending machines provide beer and sake. Need batteries or an umbrella? You’re covered. But those examples are just scratching the surface.

For foreigners who’ve lived in Japan for an extended period of time, an inevitable question from someone back home is often, “Do they really sell used panties out of vending machines over there?”

See: The death and digital resurrection of Japan’s used panty vending machineHere’s everything you ever wanted to know about Japan’s bizarre vending machines – and a sampling of the odd contents that I discovered in just one night wandering around Tokyo’s “electric town” and geek graceland, Akihabara. The artwork is by teammate Kathrinna Rakhmavika.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever found in a vending machine? Tell us below.