Canned bread at Tokyo's Inokashira Park
Canned bread is another thing to buy from a Tokyo vending machine. I’ve seen them sell magazines, toys, flowers, and underwear. But something this mundane? When I saw it at Inokashira Park, I was shocked, to be honest. Chocolate or strawberry, take your pick. There were more surprises! Read on to learn more.
After being a little dumbfounded, I bought some. My coins went into the slot and I pressed the button for chocolate. I grabbed the can and went home as quickly as the train would go. Yes, I wanted to try it.
In my kitchen, I examined the can. The company that made it was Akimoto. Getting the contents out took some work. Greaseproof paper covered the contents, sticking to everything. I removed it delicately to prevent damage. Once out, I noticed its fresh, chocolaty aroma. That was a good start!
The taste? Well, it was chocolate. No surprise. It was lackluster in the taste test and relatively soft. Not worth the price. I shouldn’t have been surprised.
I love Japanese food, but this country doesn’t understand bread. It never gets it right. For ¥550, I was expecting more.
Luckily, there are bakeries nearby offering cheaper and more delicious options. Hardcore vending machine addicts would have to visit this one. I imagine people buy these cans to impress their friends on Facebook.
Next to the bread is something more impressive. Grasshoppers and bee larvae. No mistake. Dead, of course. One costs ¥900, the other is a whopping ¥2300!! I could do both cheaper with a butterfly net, an old Coca-Cola can, and a walk in the woods. Until then, I’ll pass because those prices are over the top.
Where is the canned bread vending machine?
It is easy to find. Enter Inokashira Park from the JR Kichijoji Station side. The machine is ahead at the kiosk down the stairs.
Here it is on a Google map:
Note about the grasshoppers and bee larvae
A note on the machine says get a “youji” (a toothpick) from the shop. Use it to eat the can’s contents.
Conclusion
Have you tried Akimoto’s canned bread? If you have let me know your thoughts. Read my full article about Inokashira Park. Leave questions and comments below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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External related websites:
- Pan Akimoto (official website)