35 unique Tokyo vending machines to check out

Butter no Itoko ('butter's cousin') is a speciality hailing from Nasu in Tochigi prefecture. The sweet treat consists of a waffle biscuit with skim-milk jam inside, creating a unique snack that's equal parts soft, crispy and creamy.

Find this machine in JR Shinagawa Station near Track 3. The treats come in packs of three starting from ¥1,080 and include flavours like salted caramel, chocolate and matcha.

Big fan of Hatsune Miku? Take the teal-haired singer with you on your next adventure with these themed back cushions and sleep masks. This machine is located in a discreet alcove on the first floor of Haneda Airport Terminal 1, near Exit 4 of the South Wing. Other available items include masks, socks and even undies, but they’re not Miku-themed, so they're not as fun.

For a little extra protection against the elements, this machine in Haneda Airport has got you covered, literally. Choose from caps, gloves, socks and other accessories you may need on your next outing. Head to the second floor of Departures (North Wing) in Terminal 1; the machine is across from check-in counters 12 and 13.

Gotta buy 'em all! Cute plushies, pin badges, keychains and other Poké-goods await at this Pikachu-yellow machine located in the North Wing on the second floor of Haneda Airport Terminal 1, across from check-in counters 81-84. There are also other machines here offering goodies from figurines to regional instant ramen, so check them out and see what catches your fancy.

If you missed your trip to the Disney Store while you were in town, not to fret. Pick up a few items from the machine at Haneda Airport, including Japan-exclusive merch. If Labubus are more your speed, the neighbouring Pop Mart machine has what you're looking for, plus other cutesy characters. Head to the South Wing of the second floor of Terminal 1 for these machines, across from check-in counter 4.

These gorgeous ceramic trinkets are crafted in Ishikawa prefecture, inspired by staples of traditional Japanese culture from Noh masks to auspicious charms. At only ¥1,000-¥2,000 per item, they're a steal.

Finding the machine is a small adventure in itself. It's tucked away on the fifth floor of Terminal 3 at the Omatsuri Hiroba rest area, near the replica of Nihonbashi Bridge. You'll know you're there when you see the large wall of thousands of wooden talismans, which brings us to our next vending machine.

Right next to the ceramics machine is this other unique gem. This machine sells ¥500 kifuda (wooden talismans) modelled after boarding passes. Grab a marker or pen from the counter next to the machine and write a message on the back of your kifuda, then hang it up on the wall alongside the thousands of others, or take it home with you for a one-of-a-kind Tokyo souvenir.

Haneda's got the better machines to be honest, but if you find yourself at Narita Airport instead, head to South Exit 1 of Terminal 3 on the second floor to try this banana smoothie in a can for just ¥400. It's made with the traditional Japanese fermented rice drink amazake, which we've written a whole guide about. The texture and taste aren't quite what we'd call a 'smoothie' per se, but the unique beverage is worth a try if you happen to be in the area.

Like buns? You're in luck. This vending machine offers buns with various fillings starting from as low as ¥130. Take your pick from karepan (curry-filled bun), meronpan (melon cream-filled bun), anpan (red bean-filled bun), chokopan (chocolate cream-filled bun) and more, including the disquieting ham-and-cheese bun pictured above.

The machine is located near the restrooms of Hikarigaoka Station, which isn't exactly city centre, but it's worth a quick look-see if you happen to be on your way to the lovely Hikarigaoka Park.

Oh là là! On your next trek through Koreatown in Shin-Okubo, keep your eyes peeled for the vending machine decked out in the colours of the French flag, as it offers a surprising treat: crepes. Choose from a variety of flavours ranging from strawberries and chocolate to cookies and cream, starting from ¥300. The sweet treats come wrapped up like a mini-burrito, but are no less tasty in their compact form.

Find this machine near 1-8-6 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku, not far from Shin-Okubo Station. Bon appétit!

Ever heard of kuzumochi? If not, now's your chance to try it. Kuzumochi isn't actually mochi, but rather a chewy dessert made from the starch of kudzu root. This vending machine serves it the traditional way, chilled, and adds fruit for an extra pop of flavour. You've got orange, strawberry, grape and soda to choose from – ¥400 for one or ¥750 for two.

Find this vending machine at JR Nippori Station near Track 10. Word to the wise: there's a macaron vending machine right next to this one, but it's often sold out. Head to the next place on this list instead for your macaron fix.

These adorable animal macarons can be found at Iidabashi Station on the Namboku line near Track 5/6. Measuring at around 6.5cm across, the ¥550 treats are a bit larger than your average macaron, and come in strawberry, chocolate, raspberry or banana. Let them thaw for a bit before enjoying, but if you prefer to keep yours cooler for longer, the vending machine also sells a little bag with an ice pack for ¥300.

Oranges may be the stars of the fresh-squeezed-juice-from-a-vending-machine world, but they're not the only fruit out there. Head to Sunroad near Kichijoji Station to find this red and green beauty serving up 100% fresh-squeezed apple juice for ¥600 a cup. (There's also a coffee machine to the right, if that's more your thing.)

Location: 280 Sunroad, in front of the Seiyu supermarket.

Soy milk enthusiasts, rejoice. This yellow vending machine boasts a truly impressive 36 varieties of the stuff, with both hot and cold options to choose from. From roasted barley coffee to peach to dark chocolate to unsweetened, there’s something for practically every palate. For the health conscious, there are even soy milks fortified with iron, calcium and fibre. Honestly? This one's one of our favourites on the list.

If you're itching to try a box (or two, or three), head to JR Shinjuku Station near Tracks 1 and 2, not far from the Central East Gate. By the way, there's another one of these bad boys in Ikebukuro Station, but we won't spoil the location. Have yourself an adventure and try to hunt it down on your own.

This one's not for the timid. Creepy crawlies are the main event at this Ueno vending machine: hornets, water bugs, bamboo worms, pupae… you get the idea. The packet of incredibly crunchy, unnervingly buttery rhino beetles is a bold choice, but the piece de resistance is the tarantula, sold for a hefty ¥2,800. These atypical snacks might not exactly be traditional Japanese cuisine, but they certainly make for an unforgettable Tokyo experience.

You'll find this vending machine on the ground floor of the Ameyoko Center Building at 4-7-8 Ueno near the lift. Time Out tip: If you want to try the tarantula, prepare to use a cashless payment option, as the machine can only accept a single ¥1,000 bill.

Craving more insects? Down an alley near Takadanobaba Station lies another bugged out vending machine for adventurous snackers. These crispy treats come courtesy of Mog Bug, a company that's been dedicated to promoting edible insect products as a sustainable protein source since 2019. This machine has a selection similar to Ueno's, but no tarantula, opting instead for cicadas and maggots. Yummy.

If you're feeling extra curious, give both machines a try to see which brand of bugs you prefer. Location: 2-19-8 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku

Buyer beware: the snacks in this machine pack a dangerously spicy punch. They're so spicy, in fact, that there are multiple warnings plastered on the glass regarding their spice level. Choose from rice snacks (¥280) or peanuts mixed with rice crackers (¥250). Whichever you pick, make sure you can handle the heat.

Head to Inokashira Park near Kichijoji Station and look for the boathouse. This machine won't be far off, toward the end of Nanai Bridge.

Right next to the fiery snacks mentioned above is a vending machine selling a food item that makes us wonder who could've possibly asked for it: canned bread. Options include butter, milk or chocolate flavour, or you can snazz things up with orange, blueberry or strawberry. They're… not great, but certainly a novel find. Save 'em as an emergency pantry item if nothing else.

These vending machines near Exit 2 of Haneda Airport's Terminal 2 sell a large variety of specialities from prefectures outside of Tokyo. Shop for rare items not commonly found in the capital, such as instant ramen with region-exclusive flavours, regional snacks both sweet and savoury and much more.

Ice cream vending machines aren't exactly scarce in Tokyo metro stations, but this one's a little different from most. While the majority of metro station ice cream is of the Seventeen Ice variety, this machine features monaka, a Japanese sweet traditionally consisting of red bean paste and a crispy wafer shell. There's also a few other ice cream products, plus grapefruit-flavoured ice for the crushed ice lovers out there.

You'll find this vending machine at Ginza-Itchome Station by the steps leading to Track 1 of the Yurakucho Line.

A hearty meal awaits at these vending machines in Akihabara. To the left, you've got beef stew, hamburg steak and sausages – just a quick zap in the microwave and they're good to go. To the right, pick up a ready-to-eat fried pork cutlet sandwich prepared by nearby restaurant Niku no Mansei. This one's definitely another of our favourites.

Find these two machines at 1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda, right next to Mansei Bridge.

If you prefer to save your sandwiches for the freezer, skip Akihabara's machine above and head to Hiroo Station instead. Located outside the ticket gates next to the entrance to the Hibiya Line (near Exit 2), this super cool machine sells not only pork cutlet sandwiches, but also fried egg, ham and cheese and fish fillet sandwiches, all frozen. To keep your goods cool while you're out and about, the machine also sells an insulated bag with a little ice pack for ¥100.

By the way, the egg sandwich is frequently sold out (to be fair, it's delicious), so try not to be too disappointed if it's not available when you visit.

Continuing with the frozen theme, this vending machine's got frozen ramen (seriously). Choose from three types: Iekei ramen (fatty pork and soy sauce-based broth), tsukemen (ramen with dipping sauce) or Jiro-style ramen (pork bone broth with lots of toppings), all for ¥1,000 each. Right next to that machine you've got ice cream, because why not?

These vending machines are pretty far out there, located at the South Exit of Akitsu Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, but there are plenty of lovely shops and restaurants nearby; a pit stop in the surrounding Higashimurayama area makes for a nice little escape from the hustle and bustle of the inner city.

In a city full of endless trinkets and knick-knacks, this machine’s souvenirs are a breath of fresh air – literally. For ¥500, you can have your very own can of Tokyo air to remember your time in this great city. Mementos don't get much quirkier than this.

If you're looking for something more conventional, though, not to fret. Next to this vending machine you'll find several more, each featuring more typical wares like fans, keychains and stickers. Find these machines in Akihabara on the ground floor of shopping facility Seek Base, near the record store.

Looking for a quick boost of energy on the go? How about a fresh Dole banana out of this vending machine in Shibuya? Walk towards Exit 3a at Shibuya Station (near the Hanzomon Line ticket gates) and you'll find this fruity dispenser in front of the miscellaneous goods shop Village Vanguard.

The slimy fermented soybean food known as natto makes a nutrient-rich breakfast item or snack. Many avoid its acquired taste and texture, but if you're craving this Japanese superfood while on the move, head over to Ikeiji-Ohashi Station and grab a pack at this vending machine located in front of natto speciality shop Natto Kobo Sendaiya. If you just can't handle the slimy texture, try the dried variety, or even a three-pack of doughnuts baked with the stuff (you can't even taste it!).

Japanese cuisine is defined by dashi: this umami-rich stock usually made from dried kelp and bonito is the foundation of the country's comfort food. So if you're running out of this staple ingredient for your nikujaga (meat and potato stew) or chawanmushi (savoury steamed egg custard), look out for this dashi vending machine run by manufacturer Dashidouraku.

There's the regular dashi made with grilled ago (flying fish) from Nagasaki prefecture – yes, that's a whole fish steeping in the bottle – as well as premium Hiroshima versions which feature ago, sodabushi (dried bullet mackerel) and kelp.

Even if you're not keen on cooking, these dashi make great condiments: simply pour it over your tamago kake gohan (raw egg over rice), or dilute it with water and use it as a broth for noodles. ¥600 per 500ml bottle, ¥800 for the flying fish version. Find it at: 7-15 Yonbancho, Chiyoda.

After you've got your dashi, grab a bottle of sriracha from this nearby vending machine to add to your kitchen cabinet – a 280ml bottle is only ¥700. Not surprisingly, there are several machines in this area, so get yourself a fresh-squeezed cup of orange juice for ¥350 while you're at it.

We're not sure if the salarymen at Kasumigaseki are huge fans of apples, but the station features a vending machine selling ready-to-eat slices of the crunchy, juicy fruit. You can choose among a small (¥220) or large (¥500) pack, or chewy apple candies (¥420). Alternatively, you can get a canister of apple juice straight from Aomori (¥240).

Find it at: Kasumigaseki Station next to the lifts at the Hibiya Line ticket gate.

Akihabara in particular is full of bizarre vending machines, and one of them is this dispenser plastered with attractive photos of expensive items such as a Nintendo DS or smartphone. The caveat is, you'll only know what you’re getting after inserting a ¥1,000 note.

You could try your luck, but don't be disappointed if you end up with a small flashlight or a mushroom-shaped coin case. Nevertheless, we think it's a great vending machine to 'shop' for birthday or Christmas presents: it's cheap and if your friend doesn't like the items, you can just blame the vending machine.

PS: The vending machine right next to this one sells crepes, macarons and other sweet treats. Location: 1-14-3 Sotokanda, Chiyoda

Craving popcorn but no cinema is near? No problem. This retro device serves the addictive snack made fresh upon purchase for a mere ¥300 – but do note that the only flavour on offer is caramel. This popcorn machine belongs to Akihabara’s corner of wacky vending machines, where you'll find even more unusual dispensers selling canned fruit cocktail, oden (ingredients such as fish cakes simmered in broth), chocolate coins and more.

Location: 2-19-7 Kanda-Sudacho, Chiyoda

You'll find this mystery vending machine at the aforementioned wacky corner in Akihabara. It sells plain-looking boxes (¥990) wrapped in white paper, on which are Japanese prose of the risque kind. But rest assured, only snacks are wrapped inside. Anticlimactic or a relief – you decide.

Location: 2-19-7 Kanda-Sudacho, Chiyoda

Vending machines selling figurines and character keychains are the most sought-after dispensers in Akihabara. You'll find them upon arrival at Tracks 5 and 6 of JR Akihabara Station from ¥300. Kirby, Super Mario, Pokémon and more beloved IPs are available.

Need milk? Grab a carton at one of these vending machines located near Track 6 on the Sobu Line at JR Akihabara Station. Choose from well over a dozen varieties and flavours, including café au lait, strawberry au lait, melon-flavoured and even lemon-flavoured – it's a milk lover's dream. The best part? There are two more milk machines close by, near the aforementioned figurines.

We saved the most interesting machines for last. Way out in Kanagawa you'll find nearly 100 vending machines both old and new, though the majority date back as far as the sixties. Most of these old-school machines are still fully functional and offer everything from crisps to shark jerky.

Located at the tyre shop Rat Sunrise around an hour and a half from the city centre, this place is a bit of a trek, but it's well worth the trip for the photo ops alone. Location: 2661-1 Shimomizo, Minami, Sagamihara

Time Out tip: There's a change machine at the venue, but it only accepts the older ¥1,000 bill (without the holographic seal). If you only have newer bills, bring plenty of coins, as some machines only accept exact change.