There are plenty of photographs on these pages of broken, but absolutely lovely looking old vending machines. There’s even some of a still operational retro toast dispenser.
The series below, however, is different, as it’s a collection of fully functioning old machines including not one, but two actual toast makers. In fact, the sheer variety of food and drink on offer could sustain life, albeit not so healthily, for a very long time, with even film available to document the endeavour.
A set of machines that are all there due to the commitment and passion of just one man. Someone who sources, mends and maintains them, with the obvious joy he feels for what he does reflected in the faces of those visiting, although not so much in ours when we ate one of the hamburgers.
Sean says
Oh man these are something else. Such an awesome set. I would so love to put some coins in these. Thank you for the nostalgia hit!
Lee says
You are very welcome. Seeing them all and buying a few things was a lot of fun.
Denise says
I love these. Those old soda ones are so great. I applaud your bravery with hamburger! 😮
Lee says
Haha, it’s Japan, so we knew it’d be safe even if the taste wasn’t great.
yuin says
I too am amazed that you had the guts to try the food in these!
These photos are even more interesting because those machinese are still functioning.
Lee says
Yeah, it really was something to see them all working perfectly.
Haha, we knew the food would be safe, so not a big risk. It was fun to see how bad it would be too.
Richard says
Wow, Kodak film?!? Where does he get it?
Not sure if you were brave or foolhardy to eat that burger!
Lee says
You can still get film easily enough in Tokyo. Lots of shops still stock it. Very rare to see a vending machine selling it though.
We knew it’d be safe, so it had to be done. Wasn’t great it has to be said, but it was edible.
scruffy says
These are really nice. The ciggie machine dispensing Little Bob Dog candy, and are those other packages in that machine candy or real cigarettes?
I used to have a vending business on the side back in the early 2000s-candy and soda. I only went around to check on them about once a week. Guessing the toast and burger machines would need more frequent attention. I’ll join everyone else in amazement over you trying a burger from that machine. Do you dive off cliffs, too?
Lee says
They are just the candy variety. Amazingly sweet shops and supermarkets still sell them. That presumably isn’t the case in most countries these days.
Haha, absolutely not. Nowhere near brave enough for that. Like you said, unlike drinks and candy machines, they need more frequent attention, and having chatted to the owner of the other toast machine I posted, he said they were re-stocked every morning. So while the taste was an unknown, we were sure safety wise it’d be perfectly fine. Absolutely minimal risk, unlike diving off cliffs!
cdilla says
Oh my! What a find, what treasure. The place should be maintained as a cultural asset. Wonderful to see such large and crisp photographs of them – thank you.
Lee says
My pleasure. I had a sneaking feeling you’d like these!
Yeah, it’s a special spot alright. Interestingly there were a lot of younger people there enjoying them. Saw more machines out back ready to be fixed up too, so looks like it’ll only expand.
fum says
Japan sure is famous for its vending machines, but the couple of times I’ve visited, they seemed to be all the same-same. The only unusual one I found was a Brown Rice (I think) vending machine in Kyoto. These are something else again. Any chance you’ve documented their locations anywhere? I’m really wanting to try the toasted sandwich and hamburger ones! haha
Lee says
The modern ones are much less interesting. No doubt about that. All mostly the same. Not a huge variety in what they stock either. These are all in Sagamihara. The location has been well covered so easy to find with a quick search.
Once a Japan Expat says
If there is anything I have learned from my many years in Japan, it is that it is a people with a very strong food culture and these vending machines show it.
Lee says
That’s very true. The dispensing of a few drinks was clearly never going to be enough.