Ha! I see your Japanese vending machines and raise you this American model.

I have actually used one of these, right here in West Asheville. Night crawlers in a styrofoam cup of dirt for $1.

Why can't america have really cool vending machines? I'm totally jealous of Japan in so many different ways. Also, there's a bait machine outside of the bass pro shop in grapevine. I couldn't beleive it when I first saw it.

There have been trials of Japanese-style vending machines here in the U.S. As I recall, giant automated "convenience stores" were placed in a few spots around Washington, D.C. several years back. Result? People bypassed them and went to 7/11 instead. I think egg and lingerie vending machines are likely a money-making proposition only in settings as culturally predisposed to giant robots and general gadgetry as Japan.

It should, however, be noted that our citizens would benefit immeasurably if we had ready access to these:

≡ Click to see image ≡

i want to try the Water Salad : >

My college had a french fry vending machine in the lobby of one of the lecture halls.
It made the whole building stink like grease.

sounds pretty sweet.

Haven't seen Water Salad in a while... things appear and disappear so quickly here, though sometimes they reappear.

I didn't see my favorite: chocolate vending machines (ie: Pocky), nor ice cream vending machines...

I really wish the cigarette machines would be replaced by these. I've also seen machines selling batteries, and some shrines/temples sell fortunes via vending machines. I have no idea why that guy thinks Pachinko games are vending machines, though.

Nez, I used to love those cigarette machines when I was a kid. Saw some in Vegas last year when I was there. Very, very cool.