Tokyobling's Blog

Shibuya Banana Vending Machine

Posted in Places, Shops, Stuff by tokyobling on January 23, 2013

Just look at this banana vending machine! Fruit vending machines have been around for a long time in Japan, following in the illustrious footsteps of many other type of vending machines, and here is the famous banana vending machine of Shibuya. Japan truly is a nation of vending machines, although we seem to be way behind peak vending machine, as every year we see less and less of them around. At the island of Oshima for example, where quite a large part of the local villages were buried in ash and lava after a volcanic eruption you can still see the tops of old vending machines sticking out of fields of nothing here and there. So although we still get nice new vending machines every now and then it is nothing like the eighties. People who like fruit vending machines might also be interested in the cut flower machine in Shinjuku station or the apple vending machine in Suidobashi station here in Tokyo! The banana vending machine is easy to find, it is just at a corner of the lowest spot on the huge Tokyu Hands department store in Shibuya! Enjoy!

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28 Responses

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  1. Coal said, on January 23, 2013 at 7:44 am

    I previously went searching for that, and never found it. Now I know where to look! 🙂

    By the way, there’s an unofficial internet rule (apparently) that says any banana related product has to be introduced with the words “Just look at this (banana related product)”. Don’t know why though…
    http://goo.gl/5nVij

    Like

    • tokyobling said, on February 1, 2013 at 3:07 pm

      Thank you Coal! Yes, I knew about that but for some reason it didn’t occur to me… I updated it as soon as I read your comment!

      Like

  2. Emily Cannell said, on January 23, 2013 at 9:11 am

    I have this in my “vending machine” post list- I know exactly where that is! You were in my neck of the woods! Lets lunch!!!

    Like

  3. maikaefer said, on January 23, 2013 at 9:51 am

    Reblogged this on Maikaefer's Weblog und kommentierte:
    Well, lots of vending machines are there in the Tokyo city jungle but I never saw something like this before.

    Like

  4. developingcityblog said, on January 23, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Can you also show us pics of those apple and flower vending machines? And any others you find?!

    One mall here has a fresh orange juice vending machine but I lack the courage to try it.

    Like

    • tokyobling said, on February 1, 2013 at 3:29 pm

      I will try to remember the next time I pass it! I don’t see it too often… (^-^;) Automatic fresh juice? Sounds good!

      Like

  5. zoomingjapan said, on January 23, 2013 at 2:13 pm

    Wow! Crazy! I’ve seen vending machines for a lot of interesting things (e.g. umbrellas), but never for fresh bananas!

    Like

  6. Mai said, on January 23, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    130 yen for one banana?! I guess it’s expensive for convenience? At my local grocery store I could get a whole bunch for 100 yen :X

    Like

    • tokyobling said, on February 1, 2013 at 3:30 pm

      130 yen is very expensive indeed, I can get 5 for 105 yen at most super markets, but you are paying for convenience, and also the brand name I guess! (^-^)

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  7. Emma Reese said, on January 23, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    Americans wouldn’t believe this! A bending machine selling healthy food! It’s rather dear though – 130 yen a piece. Over here it’s about 55 cents a pound.

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  8. Sabine said, on January 23, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    This is so cool! I have never seen a fruit vending machine, let alone one that would do flowers as well. It’s amazing just how fresh the bananas look — much better than what you get in supermarkets! ^^

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    • tokyobling said, on February 1, 2013 at 3:32 pm

      I guess they are keeping their top quality for this vending machine!

      Like

  9. Coal said, on January 24, 2013 at 3:00 am

    You’ve been Boingboinged!
    http://boingboing.net/2013/01/23/just-look-at-this-banana-vendi.html

    Like

  10. Hangaku Gozen said, on January 24, 2013 at 3:42 am

    Are those bicycles parked on that rack, or are they for sale? I see a “No bikes” sign there, though I assume that refers to no riding in the breezeway?

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    • tokyobling said, on February 1, 2013 at 3:33 pm

      They are for sale! The sign says no bicycle parking, it would be a little bit tricky to get it down, there, it’s like a half basement with steps! (^-^;)

      Like

  11. Vishy said, on January 24, 2013 at 4:03 am

    the ‘just look at this banana’..vending machine meme made me think of boingboing, when, lo and behold, you got your photo and link posted there! always new t-bling was cool, now confirmed ;P

    Like

  12. Andok said, on January 24, 2013 at 4:27 pm

    In my experience 130 yen is a pretty standard price for a banana in Japan. I was on holiday there last year, and was stuck by how expensive fruit and veg were general…. I have a picture somewhere of 4 golfball-sized tomatoes for 600 yen.

    I don’t know how those guys afford get their 5 a day, but it doesn’t seem to do their life expectancy any harm.

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    • Coal said, on January 25, 2013 at 5:28 am

      Combination of a strong yen that makes everything look expensive, and most of us get our train passes to and from work paid for (so we have that much extra money for food…) 😉

      Like

    • tokyobling said, on February 1, 2013 at 3:36 pm

      Yes, vegetables and fruit is generally quite pricey in Japan… (^-^;) There are other “vectors” than going grocery shopping, and there are cheaper deals available if you know where and when to buy. Also, food prices here tends to be more in line with what is in season at the moment.

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  13. Las Vegas Vending Machines wraps said, on February 15, 2013 at 9:38 am

    Amazing! I’ve never seen fruit vending machine…Bananas really look fresh. I’m also thinking to purchase this fruit machine sooner.

    Like

  14. Veronica said, on February 18, 2013 at 10:50 am

    These banana vending machines look fabulous!!. This fruit is great for any one who feels hungry as it fills the stomach making us feel full, it gives instant energy. This vending machine should be kept at every public place, to ensure healthy eating habits of people, rather than those unhealthy stuff like snacks, colddrinks.

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