Book Vending Machine
You know how I love the Japanese vending machines? Well, here’s another one I don’t think I have mentioned properly on the blog before, it’s a soft back book vending machine! Found on the Ebisu station train platform (you can see the train going to Shinkiba station on the left of the picture). It has a variety of popular and best selling pocket books lined up, something suitable for everyone it seems, at prices around 550 yen. I wonder what kind of vending machine I should feature next?
Tokyobling's Blog 
.books, great people still read!!
LikeLike
Great people read, or is it great that people still read? Either way, your comment is spot on! These last few years I have a feeling more people are reading on the trains, or maybe I am just getting more sensitive to books. Thanks for the comment Barsta!
LikeLike
That is awesome!
LikeLike
Thanks Cozza! It is indeed!
LikeLike
Yay, great! I love seeing your vending machine posts. Please post more when you see them! I hope there is a makeup vending machine for those minor emergency situations we girls often face!
LikeLike
Contrary to popular belief, vending machines while still much more common here than in the west, aren’t all that common anymore! But I’ll do my best and keep sniffing out the interesting ones! (^-^)
LikeLike
I’ve NEVER seen this before!
LikeLike
Neither had I! (^-^)
LikeLike
Japan is really vending machines’ s kingdom 🙂
Drinks, meals, umbrellas, cigarettes, condoms, books and so on
It’s so convenient especially for drinks when it’s hot!
The machines are always clean and in good condition… the low rate of vandalism in Japan is perfect for that !!
LikeLike
I think I have seen all of the things you mention over here, and since you visited the cigarette vending machines have become even more sophisticated. They all now require cards! Before, any 12 year old with 200 yen to spare could get a packet of smokes but not any more. Which is great. Can’t stand smoking myself. Condoms, though… I have only ever seen one, and it was a beat up old mechanic thing hanging of the wall to an old gas station. Very strange. But how about batteries, have you seen one of those?
LikeLike
I agree with Lili, it’s crazy how many vending machines and products the Japanese could put into vending machines
LikeLike
Can’t wait to see what they’ll put in there next!
LikeLike
Aa, if I will have a chance to go to Japan Iwant to make a list of all the vending machines I see:DI love them, how you can get nearly everything from them.
By the way, the prices of the vms are higher than the regular price or similar?
LikeLike
Actually, with a few exceptions, prices are exactly the same as in comparable stores (convenience stores), so you’re not getting ripped off if all you ever do is buy stuff at convenience stores. You can get slightly cheaper stuff at discount stores or by buying in bulk or no name brands. Books however, are difficult to find cheaper!
LikeLike
Eeee! Book vending machine? Benri desune!!
I’ve seen a vending machines selling iPod and other expensive products in here. Is there any like that in Japan?
I prefer searching and comparing products in stores when it comes to those pricy things though.
LikeLike
Oh, and Happy New Year!! 🙂
LikeLike
Indeed, a Happy New Year to you too! (^o^)/
LikeLike
I don’t think I’ve seen a vending machine selling iPods, but there is supposed to be one selling gold. Sounds cool, but a bit risky!
LikeLike
I love this and it makes me miss Japan so much!
LikeLike
Thanks Lisa. I have said it before and I will say it again: emigrate! (^-^)
LikeLike
Nice post! I wonder if someday I can find this ‘robot’ near my house and contain our ‘Indonesian Traditional Foods’.
LikeLike
That would be nice – hey maybe even a business plan? (^-^)
LikeLike
[…] Without having to set up a little store at the station, a good option is book vending machines. Surely these could be stocked with weekly magazines as well? (image via tokyobling) […]
LikeLike