The Oddest Items You'll Find in a Vending Machine

I love vending machines...which should come as a surprise to no one since I own and operate this site dedicated to fast, cheap, and easy eats. I've been running my site and my vending machine business for a while now, but even seasoned pros like myself are shocked by some of the things lurking in vending machines.

In particular, Japan, with its over 4 million vending machines, has some of the oddest items you can purchase. To spare you the endless Reddit searches you'd have to do, I've curated some of the strangest things people sell in vending machines around the globe.

Weird vending machine items

1. Live Crabs - Yup, chances are, while you're reading this, someone is buying a live crab from a vending machine in China.

2. Used Books - In Canada, you can find vending machines stocked with perfectly preserved used books, ready for a new home.

3. Pizza - Until I can get a pizza machine of my own, Italy is where you'll find fresh slices right from a vending machine.

4. Gold Bars - Yes, in Dubai, you can buy gold bars from a vending machine. A single gram bar is about $48 USD.

5. Fresh Eggs - Unlike pre-packaged boiled eggs at U.S. gas stations, Japan's vending machines offer fresh ones straight from the farm.

6. Umbrellas - Japan's got you covered, literally, with umbrella vending machines for those surprise downpours.

7. Insect Snacks - If you're feeling adventurous, Thailand and Japan serve up fried insects, like crickets and silkworms, in their vending machines.

8. Bananas - Fresh bananas are a rare sight in vending machines due to their short shelf life, but they're popular in places like Japan.

9. Luxury Cars - Singapore is the undisputed king of pricey vending machine items, with machines offering Lambos, Ferraris, and more.

10. Hair Weave - Across the U.S., you'll find vending machines stocked with hair extensions and related items, typically located in beauty salons.

11. Fresh Orange Juice - In Singapore, you can get a refreshing glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, straight from a vending machine.

12. Face Masks and Sanitizer - Japan and the U.S. have vending machines that dispense face masks and hand sanitizer, perfect for travelers on the go.

13. Bitcoin - Some vending machines in the U.K. allow you to buy Bitcoin with cash, merging cryptocurrency with convenience.

14. Caviar - In Los Angeles, vending machines dispense luxury caviar, with prices ranging up to $500 per ounce.

15. Hot Burritos - California is home to machines that deliver a warm burrito on demand, offering different flavors like Chorizo and Roasted Potato.

16. Champagne - Moet & Chandon vending machines offer mini-bottles of champagne for around $29 each, found in some luxury hotels. These machines can either employee biometrics or and ID scanner to ensure you're old enough to buy these items.

17. Salads in a Jar - Farmer's Fridge machines in the U.S. offer fresh salads packed in jars, making it easy to grab a healthy meal on the go.

18. Medical Marijuana - In California, vending machines dispense medical marijuana for users with a valid license, using fingerprint scanners for verification.

19. Fresh Baguettes - France has machines that dispense freshly baked baguettes 24/7, perfect for a late-night snack or an early breakfast.

20. Electric Car Rentals - In China, vending machines offer electric car rentals for a few dollars an hour, allowing people to rent and drive right away.

21. Violin Strings and Reeds - Some college campuses have vending machines that cater to music students, offering items like violin strings and woodwind reeds for quick replacements.

22. Cigars - In upscale locations, vending machines stock premium cigars from various brands, priced between $2 and $20.

23. Swap-o-Matic - In New York, this vending machine allows users to swap unwanted items with something new, no cash needed.

24. Lemonade - Some machines adjust the price of lemonade based on the temperature outside; the hotter the day, the cheaper the lemonade.

More vending fun at Fueling Food

Vending machines are my thing, and if you enjoy them as much as I do, you're in the right place. If you're trying to hit a caloric deficit daily, my list of super healthy vending machine snacks will help keep you full without the gross feeling of overindulgence.