We’re on a special mission today
we’re going to look for the craziest thing we can find inside a Japanese vending machine,
and we only have one morning to do it.
Are we going to get on, Dude? Yea.
Super cool! Oh yea, and it's empty!
With so little time to complete our mission,
we’re heading to one of Tokyo’s most eclectic and iconic locations: Akihabara. Let's go!
[Life in Japan Theme Song]
Japan has a unique feel and culture all its own, including tight cities and bustling public transportation.
But one thing you can’t help but to notice is the sure amount of vending machines.
They’re everywhere, even at the top of mountains!
We’ve come across unique vending machines we haven’t seen anywhere else, and that gave us the idea of this video.
We’re on a mission to Akihabara to find the most unique vending machine experience possible.
What did you do with your hair?!
It's so colorful, huh?
My hair is so green! Your hair is so green too.
What about me? Yea, yours is pretty freakin cool, Dude!
To get there we have to transfer trains at the world’s busiest train station in Shinjuku.
Doing this with our families can be challenge, so we’re going early on a Saturday to avoid congestion.
Oh look at this. This is like a present.
Let's go get this area right here.
What are you reading, Anna?
The Berenstain Bears get in a fight.
Oh no! Anna
And then at the next stop are we getting off?
[Announcement] The next station is Yoyogi...
Japan’s love for vending machines is arguably greater than any other country in the world,
as there is an average of 1 vending machine per 23 people in Japan. That’s crazy!
The most normal thing you find inside vending machines are drinks, hot and cold.
But that’s only where it begins.
You can go up there and see the guy drive the train.
Look, look! He's driving the train!
Can you see him? Yea.
You can see the city and all the skyscrapers down there too.
I want to drive the train one time.
Riding along the Chuo Sobu Line, Akihabara is the stop that intersects Japan’s most famous train line: the Yamanote.
The train line opened in 1885 and connects many of Tokyo’s major areas via a 34 and a half kilometer ring.
Akihabara should be the perfect place to find some unusual items.
Debbie — it's this stop, OK?
[Announcement] The next station is Akihabara, JB19.
The doors on the left side will open.
I feel like we arrived at Disney!
We made it!
Already! Look — Can we have ice cream?
That one's like a screen where you can just touch. That's cool, huh?
Most of them have drinks, right? Hot drinks, cold drinks.
Hot drinks, cold drinks.
But this one has ice cream!
Oh my goodness!
Let's go!
Dude! A big Nintendo thing, huh?
Our first stop will be at a corner known for its old vending machines with unusual items.
It’s a short 10 minute walk from the station.
I see one, but it only says "Coca-Cola."
Guys, I see it! See what?
It's right on the corner there.
Well, let's see what kinds of crazy things...
Look at this! There's balls!
Oh there you go.
What kinds of funny things do you see? Look!
Ball! It's like canned food you can buy in there.
And balls! And balls! Do you need some balls?
Look at those bugs!
Wow, look at these bugs!
What in the world! Batteries.
Or batteries. Hey, look at this.
What? Bells — some jingle bells.
Oh my goodness guys, what's the weirdest thing you see in here?
What is that? Let's see what we can find.
You can buy batteries... Or some crazy bugs
Or you can buy some chocolate coins...
Chocolate coins? Right there.
Do you see that? Oh yea!
They're not that expensive either, look at that.
I don't think you can really buy stuff.
Oh, I bet you can buy it.
I'm sure you can buy it. Why else would it be here, plugged in?
I tempted to buy something...
I know, I think we should buy something, but let's see what else they have first.
What are those? Surprise boxes? That's crazy!
Popcorn! Popcorn! Oh my goodness, popcorn!
They have a popcorn one Ruth.
Look... Oh, they have popcorn!
It's not working.
Look, you can get a Shinkansen train.
Look at this thing... Is there an entrance?!
Yeah! For real?
Yes. There's more.
Oh my goodness! I figured it out.
Oh my goodness!
I want to get out, please! I want to get out!
I don't like it in there.
Hi! What? Oh!
You can get popcorn. Does that one work?
It says... yea, I think so.
What's the sign on it?
Oh, sold out, sold out. Awww.
No! That one's not. That's a nice way to say it doesn't work anymore.
My goodness, that's so narrow.
[Debbie] I'm going to try going in there. [Sarah] It's not narrow for me.
OK - Chip Stars? I think I'll just buy some chips.
You can buy some meat sauce. Just what you're wanting, some meat sauce.
Weird! We are not going to eat this.
Oh my goodness, look at that! Oh no! It's taped?!
Look at that! Oh my goodness! No! Gross!
You gotta open it! I'm not going to open it!
Let's see, what did you guys get? No! It's Corona Virus!
Yea really! What is that?
I bought it! You bought it?!
Yes! Look at it!
I'm not, I'm not... Dude!
That is like the shadiest looking thing.
That is the shadiest thing I've ever seen!
I can't believe you just paid for it. How much did it cost? 160 Yen
Really, we probably should have known better, buying chips right next to bugs...
It's been in there since the 80s.
We'll buy some real stuff for you. That was crazy, guys.
Alright, we're going to go find some less risky jidouhambaikis [vending machines].
Oh the yellow trees are still so... oh! They have ramen!
It's magic. It's kind of magical, huh?
I'm all about ramen.
OK, let's keep going.
It's green, let's cross. Let's cross!
Along the way we came across some Japanese pancakes that looked delicious.
We had to stop and try some, especially since we struck out at our first stop.
Should we try a Bacon and Egg one?
Bacon and Egg? Oh, Strawberry Cream and Chocolate!
One Bacon and Egg please.
What's it taste like Becca?
Good?
Ok, well it's very hot.
Oh, yummy!
Izy's going to try one! Is that the Chocolate and cream?
Yeah..
OK, let's go guys?
It’s time for our next stop,
a unique vending machine that apparently has some expensive items inside.
Here's a bunch of vending machines, but these aren't them.
Aww.
Dude- look at that!
Colonel Sanders
King's Treasure Box. My goodness.
It's a vending machine, but you can buy a Switch in it. Oh!
What? How much?
Or you can buy like a tablet,
It's 1,000 Yen, so it's not a Vending Machine, it's more like a game.
Wow. Want me to put in 1,000 Yen?
Yea! Switch! We're going to try it.
1,000 Yen
Who knows what's going to come out. I don't know what you do.
You just pick one? Just pick one!
Let's see
Wait wait wait, look!
Did you push it? I did.
It's something light.
Can I see? Maybe you want to open it, Ruth.
What is that? A hair brush...
A hair brush, well that's a good gift for us. And a mirror.
There you go! And a mirror, OK!
Oh nice! Where's the Nintendo?
Where's the Nintendo Switch? We didn't get that.
No, we didn't win that.
I want a Nintendo Switch.
Yeah, but you have to win it.
And we're definitely not going to crank this think full of 1,000...
Some of the most unique things in Akihabara aren’t found in the vending machines,
but in the little used shops along the way.
There you go... all kinds of stuff.
Look at these old video games.
Old Playstation...
Sega. Look at those old Segas and stuff.
Or here — my goodness. There's stuff I don't even know about here.
All the walking has got the crew hungry, so we’ve got to stop for lunch.
But where can a group of 11 eat together?
This is what we did in Osaka...
Saizeriya — Uncle Ben's first turn here.
Yeah, first time.
I want this pizza. OK, let's see.
OK We've got this whole area to ourselves.
How about that, guys? What a treat!
Look at that! Is that when the angel came to Mary? Yea it is!
Look! Here's the Christmas story right in front of us.
The angel came to Mary and said "You're going to bear God's son"
And He's going to save the people.
What is that? And over here there's a picture of baby Jesus.
Look at that! This is like the Christmas place.
Yeah- maybe not all of them are good.
Ruth, what did you get? I got Paella
Seafood Paella, and some roasted skewered lamb
Did your pizza come? Are you sawing through it now?
Daddy will help you get that right.
We certainly had an adventure looking for wacky vending machine experiences in Akihabara
but it wasn’t until we were on our way back home that we came across the best place of all.
Whoa, this one's pretty intense. You can get all kinds of chocolate in here.
Or how about that? Oh my goodness, Calorie Mate, all kinds of energy stuff.
Oh look! This one has figurines, and this one has...
Yea look, there's chocolates, and figurines
Oh my goodness. Pikachu!
And there's the — what's his name? Oh look at the little frog
Hachiko
Are those Minecraft guys?
No - those are milk
Dude.
Becca, Anna, Sarah! Here we go!
While we saw some more unusual things today,
the everyday vending machines in Japan are quick and convenient
and another great part of living in Japan.
Did you have fun today dude?
Yea, that was a fun trip.
What was the funnest part today? Um, eating.
Eating? Yea, that was fun, going out to eat.
Isn't that pretty? So cool!
Look over here guys — there's roller coasters! Look at that place.
Hey camera! Hey camera!
Becca — can you tell me the joke?
In Japanese?
How about this — right at our station, you can get an umbrella for 70 yen.
That's pretty cool. No! For 24 hours you get it for 70 yen.
Oh for 24 hours, you have to bring it back!
You rent an umbrella!
Oh my goodness! Rent it!
Cigarettes in a vending machine
What are you going to buy here?
I don't smoke
The crazy Anna voice.
The creepy Becca voice.
The roaring Sarah voice.
Wasn't that an awesome trip guys? Yea!
And what's next week? Christmas!
Christmas, yes!
Join us at 7:00 PM JST on December 25 on Christmas
because we're going to do our first ever livestream episode of Life in Japan!
It's going to be live, Izy!
My mom told me that.
Oh she did? OK, good!
Well don't you miss it — tune in!
And until next time, we'll see you on... LIFE IN JAPAN!!
Bye bye!