How to use old vending machines This method is also November 15, 17:14
A vending machine suddenly appeared in a town in the mountains of Ehime Prefecture.
They sell neither cigarettes nor drinks.
When you put money in and press a button, a small white box comes out.
So what are you selling?
(Matsuyama Broadcasting Station Yawatahama Branch Reporter Yoshino Teshigahara)
Disused cigarette vending machine
The Ikazaki district of Uchiko Town, Ehime Prefecture.
This September, an unusual vending machine was born in this area where manufacturing is thriving, including "Ozu Washi", which is designated as a traditional craft of the country.
The name is also "Taba Tebako".
The name is a combination of "tobacco" and "tamatebako".
It is a repurposed cigarette vending machine that is no longer used.
Inside the box, there are clips, key chains, and bookmarks made of Japanese paper.
All of them are made in this region.
The key holder in the center contains a paper cutout with a motif of traditional takoage, which is said to have continued for over 400 years in the local area.
Each piece is handmade by a part-time woman and has a different design.
Here are buttons and magnets made with Japanese paper by local paper craftsmen.
Uchiko Town is known as the production area of Ozu Japanese paper, which is said to have started in the Heian period.
There are 16 types of works sold in vending machines.
Prices range from ¥180 to ¥800.
The vending machine was installed by the local community development group, Ikazaki Planning Committee.
Representative Michitaka Inazuki:
“Since there are many people who make crafts in this area, there was talk about using a vending machine. I decided to start using
The hint was...
It was another vending machine in the town called the "origami vending machine" that inspired the birth of "Taba Tebako".
This is also a reused cigarette vending machine, and works such as shuriken and paper balloons are sold for a few tens of yen.
The idea came from Chizuru Okano, who runs a general store nearby.
There was a reason for reusing the cigarette vending machine.
In 2008, when the number of people buying cigarettes was decreasing due to the rise in health consciousness, an IC card "Taspo" was introduced to indicate that you are an adult when buying cigarettes from vending machines.
Mr. Okano stopped selling cigarettes from vending machines because the number of people buying cigarettes decreased and he had to switch to a new vending machine that supports Taspo.
But for some strange reason, he decided to do something else with the machine.
Chizuru Okano
"I stopped selling cigarettes, so I was thinking of getting rid of the machine, but a neighbor said, 'It's getting dark and lonely, so why don't you put something in the vending machine and turn on the light?' I thought I'd try selling my origami creations just to turn on the lights, not as a business."
It's been 10 years since I started selling origami.
Due to the influence of the media and SNS, it is now a tourist spot that people from all over the country visit.
Mr. Okano is very happy that a new craft vending machine has appeared in the town.
Chizuru Okano
"I'm very happy. It would be nice if there were more vending machines so that people could spend their time walking around town looking at craft works."
Vending machines are select shops of local artists
Local craftsmen create the works sold at Tobatebako.
One of them, Mr. Yuho Aoyama, has opened a printing workshop since 2021 in a building that used a closed elementary school.
The vending machine sells bookmarks made from local Ozu Washi paper.
The bookmarks are printed using the old-fashioned letterpress printing method, in which small letters made of lead are combined and printed.
Mr. Aoyama said that Mr. Inazuki, a community development organization, approached him and joined without replying.
Vending machines on street corners not only catch more people's eyes than shops, but they are also welcomed because they can be purchased 24 hours a day, increasing sales opportunities.
Mr. Yuho Aoyama
“It seems that everyone is running a select shop. I am grateful that I am included in one of them. increase"
Currently, 10 artists' works are on sale, including Mr. Aoyama.
Some of them are high school artists.
The vending machine installed in September sold 80 works that month alone, and the sales were 30,380 yen.
In October, 115 pieces were sold for 51,050 yen, and it is said that sales have increased more than expected.
Transforming Uchiko Town into a Craft Town
Mr. Inatsuki, a community development group, wants to increase the number of craft vending machines in the future, and has taken over two cigarette vending machines that are no longer in use from local residents.
We are also looking for new local artists to expand our range of works.
We hope that the number of people visiting the town will increase as a result of "Taba Tebako", and we hope that the locals will also rediscover the charm of Uchiko Town.
Mr. Michitaka Inatsuki
“I want local people to notice that there are people who come to Uchiko with the aim of selling vending machines. I would be happy if I could become
Interview postscript
Local people had heard about the existence of a “Taba Tebako” standing alone in front of the shops in the Ikazaki area.
When I actually bought the work, I was excited to see what kind of work would come out of the box, and I could also feel the warmth of handmade.
There is also data that the number of cigarette vending machines installed nationwide has decreased to less than 20% of the peak 20 years ago.
"Taba Tebako" is a new way to revitalize the town by looking at things that have become obsolete with the passage of time.
I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of people will visit the town from now on, aiming for vending machines.
Matsuyama Broadcasting Station Reporter
Yoshino Teshigahara Joined the station in
2019
Responsible for coverage of the Nanyo area at the Yawatahama branch office