japan - vendo country

You can't walk several meters in Japan without encountering a vendo machine. This is specially true for the urban areas around Tokyo. They are not only useful (direct selling at its best =D ), they are also aesthetically pleasing, well at least during the night.

(Coke vendo machine in Nakano)

So one night (around midnight), with two of my friends in tow, I set out to take photos of vendo machines around Akishima. Oh did I mention it was a very cold winter's night? It must have been below zero because I cannot feel my hands and ears. Ah, the stuff we do for a couple of photos ....

(Hot and cold drinks available)

(Cigarette vendo machine, choose your poison)

They also took it a step further. In small restaurants, ordering machines such as the one below are very common.
This takes care of the language barrier when ordering items in the menu. Saves you the trouble of explaining what you want to the waiter/waitress, that is IF you know how to operate one of these.

It isn't very hard actually. Just pop in a couple of bills (and/or coins), cover your eyes with one hand and start pressing some buttons with the other. Little coupons will pop out. Hand them over to a waiter/waitress and wait for your food. If you are lucky, you'll have a dinner you won't forget =D