A row of vending machines that were in service during the Showa era lines the site in Sagamihara's Minami Ward. (©Sankei by Yasuhiro Yajima)
Back in the Showa era (1926–1989), eating out meant paying in cash. This was especially true when grabbing a quick bite from a vending machine on a busy day. You would stand in front of the machine, with just a 100-yen coin in hand, and make your choice. It was a time before the consumption tax, when even using a 1-yen coin was uncommon.
Over the past decade, the Used Tire Mart Sagamihara store has become something of a pilgrimage site for retro vending machines. About 150 Showa-era machines, added gradually over the years, now line the property, drawing visitors from across the country. Unsurprisingly, prices are no longer in the ¥100 JPY range and will vary depending on what you buy.
A Taste of a Past Era
Today, in the Reiwa era, cashless payments are the norm. With just a smartphone, people rarely need to open their wallets. Yet at these rows of vintage machines, customers hungry for nostalgia still drop coins into the slots. After a solid, familiar clunk and a brief wait, the food appears.
It's not only older generations reliving memories — young people, too, are drawn in by the novelty. Some come in search of flavors they remember, while others want to experience an era they never knew. Showa-era food has a unique pull, bringing together people of all ages.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
