Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

Food and Drink

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Vending villain

Vending machines are an ever-present part of Japan’s modern landscape. From beetles to beer, and Pepsi to panties, these mechanical merchants are always ready to help out. Some of the newer machines even have the ability to talk, greeting purchasers with a hearty “hello” or a friendly “how are you?”

However an as yet unidentified man in Hokkaido has found a rather unconventional use for these reliable retailers. Hiding behind them. As late on Friday night last week, a 39-year-old farmer was about to buy a beverage when the man appeared from behind the vending machine, hit the farmer in the face with a hard object, and raced off with his wallet containing 20,000 yen (100 pound) in cash.

japanese beer vending machine

But for a nice and big ice-cold beer are you willing to take the risk? I know I am.

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Haruurara’s last lap?

Whilst there’s always an abundance of weird and wonderful things gliding past at the average rotating sushi eatery, a few plates of basashi (raw horse meat) trotting by on a recent visit caught my eye.

basashi raw horse meat

Initially the thought crossed my mind that the meat making its way round could be the hapless horse Haruurara’s final outing. A not necessarily unexpected end to a racehorse famous for its dismal performances and winless record.

But judging by the basashi’s graceful and relatively quick jaunt around the restaurant, I guess it wasn’t.

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Chocolate charm

At this time of year, youthful innocence and carefree abandon are a rarity, as the nation’s children prepare for junior and high school entrance examinations. A period when as much unnecessary pressure as possible is planted firmly on students’ shoulders, making them stressed, stroppy and somnambulistic.

Multinational food company Nestle however must wish that entrance examinations were monthly rather than yearly occurrences, as the humble Kit Kat has turned into a chocolate charm cash cow.

The name Kit Kat you see closely resembles the expression Kitto katsu, which translated directly into English means ‘definitely win’. A coincidence that has resulted in the chocolate covered biscuit being adopted as a lucky charm for students to buy for themselves, and parents and friends to proffer as a luck inducing gift.

A trend needless to say that Nestle is far from unaware of, with the company releasing new flavours for stressed-out students to waste their money on.

japanese_kit_kat

Rather ironically, when I was a kid it was “Have a break, have a Kit Kat.” But with regular school during the day and cram school at night, the chance of ‘a break’ for Japanese students is about as slim as a passion fruit or green tea flavoured biscuit securing someone a place at their school of choice.

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Valentine vehicle

In what now appears to be an annual event, the Harumi Triton shopping complex in Tokyo has produced a Valentine Volkswagen. Bucket loads of strawberry flavoured chocolate were used to cover a perfectly good car. Plus a countless number of sweets for added excess.

And if the result wasn’t gaudy enough, inexplicably a dolphin was added to the multicoloured motoring monstrosity.

chocolate_beetle