Lost in Translation?

Question

So, I'm staying at the Daiwa Roynet Hotel near Seven Eleven in Nishi-Shinjuku. It's...convenient, obviously, but trying to navigate the vending machines outside is a whole other level. The sheer variety is overwhelming! I've spent like 15 minutes just staring, trying to decipher the pictures. Are there any helpful tips or apps to decode the mysteries of Japanese vending machine hieroglyphics? Seriously, is that squid in there...?

esther · Answer

honestly the vending machines in tokyo are so wild they're like a mini museum of japanese convenience culture. the hot drinks ones are actually clutch in winter, they have this corn soup that's surprisingly good. if you're near shinjuku station's west exit there's a machine that sells fresh bananas and eggs, i'm not joking. the trick is to look for the little kanji that says "osusume" or the picture of the item, usually the weirdest ones have a photo. and yes that's probably squid, it's called ika and it's chewy not slimy

helene · Answer

One thing nobody's mentioned yet is that most vending machines in Tokyo have a little "otsuri" button that spits your change out manually if the machine jams. It's the small rectangular button under the coin slot, usually labeled with the word for change. The squid you spotted is ika, and it's basically grilled squid jerky, not slimy at all. If you want to ease into the savory stuff, the machines near the Shinjuku post office have these little cans of hot corn potage that are way more approachable and cost about 120 yen.

nicola · Answer

you're in nishi-shinjuku so you're prob near the tokyo metropolitan building area. there's a machine outside the 7-eleven on yamate dori that sells this hot chocolate that comes in a can with a little lever you pull to mix it. ngl the first time i saw it i thought it was broken but it's intentional. also if you see a machine with a big yellow vending sticker that says "kirin" they sometimes have this lemon squash soda that's way better than the standard stuff. for the savory stuff just look for the ones with a little grill icon on the front, those are the hot food machines and yes that's prob squid but they also have mini hamburgers that microwave themselves inside the can

kyra · Answer

the vending machine at the daiwa roynet's own lobby actually has this matcha latte that's worth trying, it's from a brand called glico and it's way less sweet than the typical stuff. if you're feeling adventurous head toward the shinjuku post office area, there's a machine near the bus stop that sells hot ramen in a can, it's not great but it's an experience. for the savory stuff just look for the little flame icon on the machine, that means it's heated and prob has something like mini korokke or that squid you spotted. honestly the squid one is better than it sounds, it's like a salty chewy snack that goes hard with a cold beer

noa · Answer

If you're by the Daiwa Roynet, walk toward the Shinjuku Center Building and there's a machine on the corner that does hot oden in a cup. It's got little fish cake, daikon, and boiled egg floating in broth, and the button has a picture of the cup so it's easy to spot. The squid you saw is ika, and it's actually pretty mild, think of it like a chewy jerky. For the cold drinks, the blue stripe on the machine means it's chilled, red stripe means hot, and if you see a little steam icon, that's a heated can of something like corn potage or sweet potato soup.

Tokyo Guides

Where to Stay in Tokyo (2026)

3 Days in Tokyo: Itinerary 2026

Things to Do in Tokyo (2026)

Best Food in Tokyo (2026)

Trends in Tokyo

Lost in Translation?

Is Foodland in Tokyo worth a stop for groceries in 2026?

explore Tokyo Guides

Where to Stay in Tokyo (2026)

3 Days in Tokyo: Itinerary 2026

Things to Do in Tokyo (2026)

Best Food in Tokyo (2026)

bar_chart Trends in Tokyo

Lost in Translation?

Is Foodland in Tokyo worth a stop for groceries in 2026?

Tokyo Guides

Trends in Tokyo