Dole Vending Machine

You don't come across these very often, but in the underground passage between Hibiya and Yūrakuchō Station there's a Dole branded fruit vending machine. One can purchase a small bunch of bananas, a single banana, banana chips or dried mangoes. Nice healthy snacks for the Tokyo commuter!

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 800, 1/250 sec.

Minatures at the National Museum of Nature and Science

Outside the gift shop at the National Museum of Nature and Science were several vending machines filled with miniatures inspired by the museum and its exhibits.  The miniatures are a bargain for ¥300.

More Soup

This ITO EN vending machine had corn potage and a red bean soup (Dainagon Shiruko).  In addition to the hot soup, there are several types of coffee and tea, in addition to grape, citrus, nectar and Banana au Lait fruit beverages.

Hot soup anyone?

I'm not sure if this is seasonal, but there were three types of hot soup offered in this vending machine. 

A vending machine for everything...

In Japan, it seems that there is a vending machine for everything.  Here's some of the more unusual ones that I have seen....

Here's a Cup Noodle vending machine located near the 100-yen park (a.k.a.  にこにこパーク) in Meiji Jingu Gaien.

Here's a beer and alcohol vending machine.  I haven't used one, but I believe that you need to insert an identification card to get you beverage.

This is the Japanese version of the Red Box DVD rental machines that are popping up in the US.

What would you like to drink?

It seems that there too many beverage choices in Japan.

Here's something a little more mundane to start with... A strawberry flavored drink, sparkling ichigo.

If you are feeling a little like ultra, there is an Ultraman cola waiting for you.

If you are feeling a little like Godzilla today, perhaps you should drink something with a little Fire.

At many machines, you can pay with your Edy, PASMO or SUICA card.  Some you can even pay with you keitai (cellular phone). Just wave your phone or card in front of the pad.

 

How about a pharmaceutical beverage?

How about a picnic?

If you don't have much change, you may want to find one of these machines.  Perhaps you've spent all your change on parking?  This one is in front of a ¥600 an hour parking lot.