Japan's vending machines are upgrading further!? Novel items like dumplings, ramen, and sushi are appearing! ~Food Edition~

Japan is one of the top vending machine countries in the world! Its penetration rate is the highest globally, with vending machines almost every few meters.

Vending machines are often thought of as modern inventions, but their origins date back to around 215 BC. It is said that the prototype was the "holy water vending machine" in Egypt. Later, the vending machines we know today were invented in Britain after the Industrial Revolution around 1800, and vending machines for beverages, food, cigarettes, snacks, and tickets began to be put into practical use.

In Japan, after a famous American beverage manufacturer fully entered the Japanese market in 1962, vending machines began to spread nationwide, and today Japan has the highest sales volume in the world. In recent years, in addition to drinks, vending machines for novelty items such as dumplings, ramen, and desserts have been increasing as well ☆彡

This time, I'd like to introduce some rare food vending machines you can find in Osaka city ♪ So let's dive right in~!

Here are five interesting food vending machines near Osaka Metro stations, offering dumplings, ramen, and more ♪

┣ Affordable freshly baked bread vending machine at Minamimorimachi Station

Located about a 5-minute walk from Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line Minamimorimachi Station, this vending machine sells freshly baked bread.

It is said to be a factory-direct bread set, with different contents and quantities each day! The bread sold here has minor imperfections, such as deformations, so prices are lower than usual.

I bought this much for just 300 yen! If bought in a store, the price would likely be double.

It is said that nearby housewives, office workers heading to work, and regular customers often visit, so sometimes it sells out! I came around 9:30 am, just when the factory staff was restocking, so I could choose freely ♪ Freshly baked, soft, and cheap bread. Why not buy one for breakfast before exploring Osaka?

[Price] 100 yen or 200 yen

[Operating Hours] Varies by day (No regular holidays)

[Location] 2-4-12 Minamimorimachi, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

[Access] About a 5-minute walk from Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line and Sakaisuji Line "Minamimorimachi Station"

┣ Frozen gyoza vending machine at Higashi-Umeda Station and Nishi-Umeda Station

Right outside the Nakanishi ticket gate at Higashi-Umeda Station, there is a "Chef Wei's King Gyoza" vending machine (600 yen per type).

Chef Wei holds China's highest culinary qualification and has been selected as one of the "Top Ten Chinese Master Chefs in Asia," making him a world-renowned chef. The special dumplings sold here have flavors you can't taste in the restaurant!

Among them, the "Chef Wei's King Gyoza to be Eaten with a Spoon" locks in umami and collagen, and the moment you pick one up with chopsticks, the meat juice overflows. Although frozen, just heating them lets you enjoy the authentic taste of the master chef. It's amazing! In addition to Higashi-Umeda Station, there are also vending machines for Chef Wei's King Gyoza at Tanimachi Kyuchome Station and Dainichi Station.

[Price] 600 yen each ~

[Operating Hours] 24 hours (No regular holidays)

[Location] Near Exit 2 outside the Nakanishi ticket gate of Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line "Higashi-Umeda Station," outside the East ticket gate passage of Tanimachi Line and Sennichimae Line "Tanimachi Kyuchome Station," outside the ticket gate of Tanimachi Line "Dainichi Station"

Near the South ticket gate of Nishi-Umeda Station, there is also a "Kobe Gyoza OREGYO" vending machine! There are five types (500 yen each), including classic "pan-fried gyoza," "ginger gyoza," "shiso gyoza," "four-mushroom and butter gyoza," etc. ♪ It's great to be able to buy super popular gyoza from Kobe, the gyoza battleground, here!

[Price] 500 yen each ~

[Operating Hours] 24 hours (No regular holidays)

[Location] Outside the South ticket gate of Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line "Nishi-Umeda Station"

* Frozen gyoza cannot be microwaved.

* Since they need to be cooked in a frying pan, it is recommended for those staying in hotels with kitchen facilities or for long-term stays.

┣ Frozen ramen vending machine at Umeda Station

This is a frozen ramen vending machine. You can purchase ramen from the famous shop "Menya Gokkei," located in Ichijoji, Kyoto, which is one of the leading ramen battlegrounds in the Kansai region. The shop is always crowded with customers lining up! The vending machine is next to EKI MARCHÉ Osaka, about a 5-minute walk from Umeda Station. Why not savor the ultra-thick white chicken broth, packed with chicken umami, at home or in your hotel room?

[Price] 1,000 yen ~

[Operating Hours] 10:00 - 23:00 (Closed on irregular holidays)

[Location] EKI MARCHÉ Osaka Service Area

[Access] About a 5-minute walk from Osaka Metro Midosuji Line "Umeda Station"

* Only noodles and soup base are sold. Please prepare your preferred ingredients.

* Since heating the soup and boiling the noodles require a pot and a dish, it is recommended for those staying in hotels with kitchen facilities or for long-term stays.

┣ Akashiyaki vending machine at Abeno Station

Located about a 1-minute walk from Abeno Station in Tennoji, this is a vending machine for "Akashiyaki."

"Akashiyaki" looks similar to "takoyaki" but is softer because it uses less wheat flour and more eggs, resulting in a fluffy, tender texture. The filling includes octopus like takoyaki, but Akashiyaki is not eaten with sauce or mayonnaise; instead, it is dipped in broth.

This vending machine actually sells "Akashiyaki" from a famous shop (8 pieces for 800 yen) that is listed in the Bib Gourmand category of the Michelin Guide. There are three types of broth to choose from: kombu, fried bits, and gochujang ♪

[Price] Akashiyaki 800 yen, Takoyaki (octopus balls) 400 yen, Buta-yaki 1,500 yen

[Operating Hours] 24 hours (No regular holidays)

[Location] 1F Kanemura Building, 2-4-48 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

[Access] About a 3-minute walk from Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line "Abeno Station"

* Can be heated in a microwave.

* Please prepare a plate or container for the broth.

┣ Frozen sushi vending machine at Nakamozu Station

Outside the ticket gate of Nakamozu Station, there is a sushi vending machine! It sells frozen pressed sushi from the famous Japanese sushi chain "Daiki Suisan," available in three flavors: grilled mackerel, eel, and shrimp. (4-piece pack for 500 yen. 8-piece pack for 1,000 yen.) Additionally, there are three types of frozen inari sushi (grilled mackerel, mixed, curry) for 300 yen ♪

[Price] Frozen pressed sushi 500 yen ~ 1,000 yen, Frozen inari sushi 300 yen

[Operating Hours] 24 hours (No regular holidays)

[Location] Outside the ticket gate of Osaka Metro Midosuji Line "Nakamozu Station"

* Can be thawed in a microwave.

* Can also be naturally thawed (about 5-7 hours) before eating.

● Also available: nostalgic bottled Coca-Cola vending machines and vending machines designed for EXPO 2025!

About a 5-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station, at BIGSTEP in America-mura, I found such vending machines. One is a vending machine designed for EXPO 2025 and another is a bottled Coca-Cola vending machine! It's rare to see a retro Coca-Cola vending machine and a near-future EXPO style vending machine standing side by side.

[Location] 1F Shinsaibashi BIGSTEP, 1-6-14 Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City

[Access] About a 5-minute walk from Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line "Shinsaibashi Station"

● Fresh and delicious! Please try the vending machines

Everyone, what did you think of this Osaka vending machine food edition? Vending machine food that is convenient to buy and just as delicious as eating in the restaurant. It's also thoughtful because you can buy whatever you want anytime ♪ If you find something you like, be sure to buy it!

Next time, I will introduce a dessert edition. I'll cover more unique vending machines, such as incredibly delicious chilled baked sweet potatoes and cute cake jars. Stay tuned for the next article!

* Regarding frozen foods, please be careful not to take them out for too long during transport.

Travel notes directory 1. Japan is known as one of the world's top vending machine countries! 2. ● Vending machines in Osaka city ~ Food edition ~ Travel information Hotel index Strategy index Ticket index Website navigation Travel index Cruise index Corporate travel index Join cooperation Distribution alliance Friendly links Enterprise gift card procurement Insurance agent Agency cooperation Hotel joining Destinations and scenic spots cooperation More joining cooperation About Ctrip About Ctrip Ctrip hotspots Contact us Talents recruitment User agreement Privacy policy Business license Security Center Ctrip Content Center Intellectual property Trip.com Group algorithm publicity