Sagamihara Vending Machine Park

Hidden in a quiet corner of Kanagawa Prefecture, the Sagamihara Vending Machine Park is one of Japan's quirkiest and most beloved retro attractions. Known in Japanese as "Jihanki Hakurankai," this unassuming gravel parking lot is home to a treasure trove of vintage vending machines that dispense everything from hot meals to cold drinks—a nostalgic time capsule for foodies and machine enthusiasts alike.

Unlike the sleek, modern vending machines you might see in Tokyo train stations, the machines at Sagamihara are wonderfully analog. Many of them date back to the 1970s and 1980s and have been lovingly maintained to preserve their original functionality. There are no touchscreens or robotic arms here—just simple buttons, clunky sounds, and a satisfying mechanical clunk when your food drops into the tray.

What makes this spot truly special is the food itself. Where else in the world can you grab a piping-hot hamburger from a metal box in the middle of a parking lot? The burger machine, a cult favorite, heats up a wrapped burger in about 30 seconds and delivers it to you with a retro paper napkin and a sense of time-traveling joy. There’s also a machine for hot toast sandwiches, often filled with ham and cheese or red bean paste. Another offers steaming bowls of cup noodles with built-in kettles that fill your bowl on the spot. You’ll also find canned oden, curry rice, and nostalgic drinks like old-school coffee milk and fruit-flavored soda.

The machines are maintained and restocked by a dedicated team who clearly understand that what they’re preserving is more than just machinery—it’s a piece of Showa-era soul. Each machine is adorned with charmingly faded signage and the kind of low-fi visuals that bring back memories of Japan’s analog age. There’s even a change machine onsite for visitors who didn’t bring enough coins, because yes, these machines are gloriously cash-only.

What started as a local curiosity has now become something of a pilgrimage site for retro enthusiasts, YouTubers, and curious travelers. People come from all over Japan (and beyond) to experience the joy of eating a hot toastie from a clunky box under the stars. While there’s no official seating or indoor area, most visitors are happy to lean against their cars or sit on the curb and savor their vending machine meal al fresco. It’s part of the charm.

The park is open 24 hours, making it a perfect late-night snack stop or an offbeat roadside detour during a day trip through Kanagawa. It’s located near Sagamihara Station, and although it’s not heavily signposted, the line of retro machines glowing in the dark is hard to miss.

In an age of fast tech and digital everything, the Sagamihara Vending Machine Park is a reminder of simpler times—when grabbing a hot burger from a clunky machine felt like magic. Whether you go for the food, the photos, or the pure nostalgia, this humble spot proves that sometimes, the best meals come from the most unexpected places.