Vending machines to sell bananas in Japan

Japan has approximately one vending machine per every twenty-three people. Although most only feature typical vending machine products—cigarettes, drinks, snacks—there are still plenty stocked with oddball items like canned bread, eggs, fresh meat, live lobsters, porn, umbrellas, vegetables and even used schoolgirl panties.

It’s therefore no surprise that Dole is intent on unleashing an army of new vending machines that’ll offer bananas for just ¥130 (1.50 USD) a piece or ¥390 (4.50 USD) for six. They’ll all be stored at 55.4 degrees Fahrenheit / 13 degrees Celsius, which according to Technabob is the “ideal temperature” for bananas.

Why bananas, though? Well, many office workers and students rely strictly on vending machines for their allotment of early-morning and mid-afternoon sustenance. However, JapanTrends reports that “Japanese etiquette considers it taboo to eat in public.” Therefore workers will likely have to drag their banana(s) back to work first before eating it.

A prototype banana vending machine has already proved successful at the Shibuya station in Tokyo, which attracts approximately 2.4 million commuters per day. If future iterations prove to be just as much of a hit, Dole will likely start installing these vending machines directly inside offices—as well as universities.

Plus they’re also likely to invest in other fruits as well. So don’t be surprised if half a year from now you read about a Japanese vending machine that peddles apples, oranges or even strawberries!


/Weird Asia News/