This was so interesting. Thank you for writing about this. Such a different experience in Tokyo than NYC. Many things I’m sure are the same or similar in both of these huge cosmopolitan cities, but the unique things like the ubiquitous vending machines and what they offer that you’re describing in Tokyo are fascinating. How wonderful!
I wish we had more vending machines of quality here in the States! Especially a pizza making one. My mind is officially blown 🤯. Cannot wait to make my way to Japan! I know my money is just going to be be spent on all the vending machine snacks I can get my hands on 😂.
I've lived in Tokyo 29 years. Those honor system vegetable stands are even found in urban areas on little plots of land used as "urban farms" scattered among houses. The idea of "honor system" has now been applied to actual shops that are unmanned here - no staff on the premises. And not the kind of high tech store with video cameras tracking your every move and automatic price scanning. Just a small store selling one or two things, like frozen gyoza or fish. But almost daily the local TV news casts broadcast shop surveillance video of someone walking out without paying. The newscasts mask the faces of the perpetrators. Some thieves steal from the same place multiple times. Some pretend to put money into the cash box or swipe a card or phone. Opening a store with no staff on site and only a security camera seems to me to just be an invitation for people to come in and take something.
Regarding the winter vending machine content change over, the offerings at the convenience store counters change with the seasons too. Nikuman (and my favorite, pizzaman) and oden become available.
Nikuman also shows up at supermarkets during the winter months. Unfortunately nikuman and pizzaman are not commonly found during the summer.
Oh I love those vending machines with hot tea. Or hot coffee in the middle of no where! My fav was the miso soup one! Love that on a cold day! I am constantly amazed by the Japanese inventiveness and I wish I had a 5 yen and was standing in front of one now!
I think I’d like winter better if I could get cheap tea from a vending machine! Why can’t we have healthy vending options? Meh
While reading, I was totally wondering if we could have an honor system food stand in Brooklyn. Maybe? I’d like to think so. But realistically, it’s hard for me to imagine how it would work.
This was so interesting. Thank you for writing about this. Such a different experience in Tokyo than NYC. Many things I’m sure are the same or similar in both of these huge cosmopolitan cities, but the unique things like the ubiquitous vending machines and what they offer that you’re describing in Tokyo are fascinating. How wonderful!
Thank you for giving us a glimpse and virtual taste of Tokyo. Now I have to plan a visit to Japan within the next two winters.🙌🏽
I wish we had more vending machines of quality here in the States! Especially a pizza making one. My mind is officially blown 🤯. Cannot wait to make my way to Japan! I know my money is just going to be be spent on all the vending machine snacks I can get my hands on 😂.
I've lived in Tokyo 29 years. Those honor system vegetable stands are even found in urban areas on little plots of land used as "urban farms" scattered among houses. The idea of "honor system" has now been applied to actual shops that are unmanned here - no staff on the premises. And not the kind of high tech store with video cameras tracking your every move and automatic price scanning. Just a small store selling one or two things, like frozen gyoza or fish. But almost daily the local TV news casts broadcast shop surveillance video of someone walking out without paying. The newscasts mask the faces of the perpetrators. Some thieves steal from the same place multiple times. Some pretend to put money into the cash box or swipe a card or phone. Opening a store with no staff on site and only a security camera seems to me to just be an invitation for people to come in and take something.
Regarding the winter vending machine content change over, the offerings at the convenience store counters change with the seasons too. Nikuman (and my favorite, pizzaman) and oden become available.
Nikuman also shows up at supermarkets during the winter months. Unfortunately nikuman and pizzaman are not commonly found during the summer.
Oh I love those vending machines with hot tea. Or hot coffee in the middle of no where! My fav was the miso soup one! Love that on a cold day! I am constantly amazed by the Japanese inventiveness and I wish I had a 5 yen and was standing in front of one now!
I think I’d like winter better if I could get cheap tea from a vending machine! Why can’t we have healthy vending options? Meh
While reading, I was totally wondering if we could have an honor system food stand in Brooklyn. Maybe? I’d like to think so. But realistically, it’s hard for me to imagine how it would work.
Reading these are the bright spot in my day.
definitely could hear the call of the yakiimo cart as I read this ;-)