Japan is famous for “crazy” vending machines that are fabled to encase bizarre products and inappropriate wares. But for the most part, Japanese vending machines just spit out cans of cold or hot beverages, and sometimes soup. But this particular one found on a rarely traveled road in Tokyo could be a first as it seems to contain a giant beetle for sale.
It all started when Twitter user, Tomoya, was taking a stroll down an unfamiliar street in the Adachi ward of Tokyo. She soon came across a peculiar, yet nostalgic vending machine. No, not one filled with delightful soft drinks of years gone by; this one was filled with erotic books.
Right next to it was yet another strange vending machine filled not with dirty magazines, but a large stag beetle, or kuwagata-mushi in Japanese.
The bug sits right next to a can of milk tea and grape soda as if it belongs there. To the far right is a can of yakitori chicken for 450 yen (US$4.37), getting closer to the realm of insects, but not quite. The beetle appears to be priced at 630 yen ($6.12) and includes a note that it’s kept at room temperature even though the insect appears in a red row that denotes hot vended beverages. The sight of this giant beetle inside of a grungy vending machine on a forgotten road intrigued Tomoya, and she tweeted that the next time she came by this particular road, she would buy a stag beetle.
She later tweeted that everything inside the vending machine turned out to be at room temperature, even the grape soda. She also noticed that Kit Kats were sold in the vending machine and hypothesized that maybe the beetle was actually made of chocolate. Unfortunately, Tomoya never reveals whether or not the stag beetle is alive inside the forgotten lukewarm vending machine. So readers, it’s up to you! The next time you stroll down a less traveled street in Tokyo, keep your eyes peeled. You never know what you might encounter in an old worn out vending machine. And if you come by this particular one, free one of those stag beetles and tell us if it’s made of chocolate!
Eating a bag of Rhino Beetles from Kumamoto’s bug-food vending machine【Taste test】
Give your loved ones stag beetle larvae and more this Valentine’s
Rare living male-female stag beetle is currently housed in Miyazaki prefectural museum
Vending machine selling edible bugs is an instant hit in Kumamoto, generates about $4,600 a month
We try insect snacks from this vending machine in Tokyo, and get a bonus surprise in the capsule
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Tokaido Lumière Express: Stay overnight inside the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo
McDonald’s Japan reveals exclusive new Tsukimi moon viewing collection for 2026
Godiva Japan hops into tsukimi season with bunny and moon-themed chocolate assortments
Ministop brings bulked up Okinawan-style rice balls to mainland Japan for one week only
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
Domino’s puts a new spin on moon viewing with Tsukimi dango-inspired tarts in Japan
Starbucks Japan adds new Customisation Bar to stores, with free ways to hack your food and drink orders
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japanese vending machines now sell pandemic goods
We accidentally buy some silkworm candy at Hokkaido’s Vending Machine Land
A vending machine where you don’t know what you’re buying until it comes out – we give it a try!
Weird Japanese vending machine find: Soda that looks like mayonnaise
Japanese vending machine sells…retro toothbrushes?
Monjayaki vending machine appears in Tokyo
Mysterious eyes found in Japanese vending machine coin slot
Taste-testing Tokyo’s biggest, best edible bug vending machine【Photos】
Japanese vending machines now sell pearl jewellery
Japanese vending machines now selling One Piece character cakes【Photos】
A Kyoto factory vending machine sells gourmet mystery meals at bargain prices
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
There’s a Tokyo vending machine that sells love in a can (or a shot at it)
Japanese convenience store’s love letter vending machine proves they really do sell everything