The Weirdest Vending Machines Around the World

Vending machines are mainly for junk food, snacks, or soft drinks. In the airport, they might be marketed toward the occasional forgotten travel necessity. However, in some parts of the world, these typical machines dispense items that seem downright odd. From fresh seafood to luxury goods, some people clearly believe there are no limits when it comes to vending machines. Modern-day vending machines have been transformed into tiny, automated stores capable of selling nearly any item. Some exist for convenience, truly attempting to fill a need in the market, while others were clearly designed as bizarre tourist attractions with the goal of attracting Instagram posts. Here are eight of the weirdest vending machines found around the globe.

In several Chinese cities, vending machines have been used to sell live hairy crabs. The crabs are kept dormant in chilled compartments similar to refrigerated storage. In exchange for payment, customers receive a live crab ready for cooking. Though it sounds like a joke to Westerners, the machines are popular in Asia where hairy crabs are considered a delicacy. This is especially true during certain seasons. Still, we’re not sure how we feel about dispensing living creatures from vending machines, however delicious some may find them.

Japan is famous for unusual vending machines, but fresh eggs are actually one of the more practical offerings. Rural farmers stock machines with cartons of freshly collected eggs. In this way, customers can buy eggs 24/7 without going to a grocery store. The system reduces human staffing concerns and gives locals easy access to farm-fresh products. It’s like a farmers' market in vending form. For travelers who have never seen this before, buying fresh products from a machine can feel quite strange.

When ordinary vending machines meet luxury goods, you can find some pretty odd markets. Certain high-end vending machines dispense gold bars. First introduced in ultra wealthy locations such as Dubai, these machines offer small gold bars and coins to those who suddenly find themselves in need of a little bling. Prices change automatically alongside market fluctuations. While we’ve all seen a friend attempt to grab a free snack from a vending machine, these particular machines are not likely to respond to a bang in just the right corner. They are highly secure, designed with extensive features to protect the valuable inventory. Few vending machine experiences can match this one.

In France, where fresh bread is a daily staple, we shouldn’t be surprised to come across a vended baguette. Imagine not being able to get to the bakery before closing time. With bakery vending machines, problem solved. Some bakeries use these convenient machines to sell baguettes after business hours. Bakers prepare the bread during the day and place it into temperature-controlled machines. Customers can buy a fresh loaf late in the evening. The machines are a great way to offer constant access to one of the country's most beloved and delicious foods. It is a distinctly French solution to a very French problem.

Who among us hasn’t been caught in a sudden downpour? For some regions, this is more likely to happen than in others, and sudden rainstorms are common in many Japanese cities. This little problem has led to one inventive solution: umbrella vending machines. These machines allow people to swiftly purchase cheap, one-time-use umbrellas when bad weather strikes unexpectedly. For maximum convenience, they are often located near train stations and other busy urban pedestrian areas. Many umbrellas sold this way are generic and transparent, a style commonly seen throughout the country.

Luxury food has found its way into American vending machines. In wealthy places such as Los Angeles, specialty machines have popped up, offering snacks for the rich. Examples include caviar, blinis, and gourmet sandwiches. If you’re stuck in an airport or hospital, no longer are chips and candy bars your only options. Customers can purchase expensive delicacies with ease. It's a surprisingly elegant, and perhaps ridiculous, twist on retail.

Japan once introduced vending machines dedicated entirely to bananas. These weren’t fancy, chocolate-dipped bananas or dried banana chips, they were your standard bananas. The machines sold single fruit as well as bunches, giving commuters a healthy alternative to the usual sugar-filled snacks. Grab-and-go bananas became popular across the nation. Bananas were chosen because they require no preparation and come in their own natural protective packaging. Due to its simplicity and weirdness, the concept attracted media attention. Few people expect a machine devoted exclusively to one fruit.

Americans sure do love fishing. It’s almost as if fishing vending machines were inevitable. In fishing communities across the United States, vending machines selling live bait can be found near lakes, rivers, and marinas. Anglers like to get an early start and now they can purchase worms, minnows, and other bait at any hour of the morning. The machines are especially useful in tiny remote towns where retail bait shops are limited. While practical for fishermen, they often surprise visitors who think they’ve spotted a snack machine only to find worms for sale.