Japanese Vending Machines Offer Just About Everything
 

Want some fresh eggs and veggies to go with your can of coffee in the morning? How about some sake with a steaming bowl of oden? How about renting a DVD and watching it at home with your partner? Don't forget to buy a pretty bouquet of flowers for your partner, as well -- and a pack of condoms, just in case.

Yes, all these items and many, many more are available from Japanese vending machines. According to the Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association, there are 5.51 million machines in Japan, taking a total of nearly 58 billion dollars a year.

Once upon a time, visitors and others alike may well have been aghast at the porn goods widely available from machines in the streets. Soiled schoolgirls' underwear was one such item...

Full Article: Japanese Vending Machines - Japan Times

Actually I know of one porn vending area that has not been shut down in my city. But I would have to disagree with the basic premise that you can get anything from a vending machine. Most vending machines sell either drinks or cigarrettes. It is nearly impossible for me to find one that sells snacks.

I can still remember the shock I felt the first time I ran into a vending machine selling cds and portable cd players....

They aren`t exactly common, and it`s been years since I`ve seen one. It seems that foreigners here on holiday seem to run into more variety than someone who actually lives here. All the ones around here are for drinks. There is one selling snacks, and another selling batteries nearby, but tobacco products and alcohol are even rare around here.

Oh, wait, I wasn`t counting the one that sells fresh eggs, or the ones that sell rice. The thing is, I never think of those as vending machines... They just happen to be automated... selling... thingies.
If I have to bring my own bag (or buy one from another machine) like for the rice, or open a little door, it doesn`t seem too vending machine like. If I put money in and a pack of eggs or a bag of rice popped out of the bottom, I would probably feel differently.

WOW that is creepy.:(

if you rent a movie from a vending machine.. then how do u give it back again?

I miss the option of hot or cold coffee from the same machine.....and cigarettes anytime anywhere....even in the middle of nowhere on a dirt road in the country....there\'s a vending machine! *sighs* God I miss it.

That is so coolo the jappanesse think about everyrhing!!!!!!!

Yes those vending machines came in hady on cold nights after a time of going out with friends.

I think so too ! It\'s amazing ^^;

their vending machine almost cover everything!! O.O