The Meidaimae Station Vending Machines That Gave Me a Shock
Even after years in Tokyo, you think you’ve seen it all. You become numb to the sheer convenience, to the endless rows of vending machines that line many streets. But now and then, the city still finds a way to surprise you. For me, that surprise was waiting on a familiar train platform at Meidaimae Station, in a spot where a small shop used to be.
From the familiar to the surprising
I’d walked past these machines many times. Finally, my curiosity got the better of me and I went in to check them out. Some of the machines sold mundane stuff like donuts (4 for ¥1000) and yakitori (10 for ¥1000). The prices were nothing special, about the same as you’d pay in any store.
The other machines changed everything. I thought I was prepared for anything, but what I found inside genuinely blew me away. There were bags, bath salts, and cosmetics. If you need soap, jelly mask, shampoo, moisturizer, etc., in a hurry, this is the place!
My eyes ran over the products and the prices. They stopped at the moisturizer. It sold for ¥6000! That made me blink a couple of times. While I’ve seen these prices while in a department store with my wife, that price seemed steep for a common vending machine. What do you think—is this normal for Japanese cosmetics? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
A window into Japan's vending machine culture
This find is a perfect example of just how far vending machine culture goes in Japan. While most sell mundane things like alcohol and snacks, it’s possible to find machines catering to special needs, offering everything from fresh flowers and umbrellas to emergency black neckties for funerals.
Where to find them
I found them at Meidaimae Station on the Keio-Inokashira Line. They were on the platform for Kichijoji-bound trains.
A perfect Tokyo moment
Finding these machines was a perfect reminder that just when you think you have Tokyo figured out, it finds a new way to surprise you. It broke through the routine of my daily commute and reminded me of the playful, innovative spirit that makes this city so endlessly fascinating. It was more than just a convenient discovery; it genuinely brightened my day.
Date of Photos: 27 October, 2023
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
- Kakudai Base (the company that supplied these vending machines)