They're digital, colorful and loaded with variety

and lots of fun.

So when heard of a restaurant with no staffs, and all vending machines,

I jumped at the chance to visit.

This place is called a Jihanki-Shokudo.

and it's located at Isesaki-City, about 2hours from Tokyo.

The sign calls it the automat diner in English.

I came hungry.

So what makes Jihanki-Shokudo special?

There is no staff at all.

The food vending machines are all retro.

The restaurant is super clean, and cheap and fun.

but is the food any good?

That is what I am here to find out.

The inside is pretty cool.

and now the machines.

It's chow time.

Vending machine burger unboxing!

There were 3 choices, each for 300 yen.

I went for the popular tar tar meat burger.

It counted down a minute to heat up.

delivered like a Christmas present down the chimney.

Let's see what we got for dinner.

All burgers are fresh,

the prepared date on the bottom of the box.

Does it look fresh?

I guess so.

It sure smells better than it looks, and that's a good sign.

inside, smothered in tar tar and meat sauce.

Yum

Only one way to find out if it's any good.

Not bad.

The meat is juicy, the sauce is rich.

and it's all blended together well.

Soba, Udon and Ramen vending machine taste test!

This is not your cup noodle ramen, people,

Not freeze dry.

It takes about 30 seconds.

That's fast food. Maybe too fast.

Oh, it missed.

Careful, that broth is boiling hot.

The noodles look a little like spagetti.

Where are the Cha-shu and toppings?

There it is! On the bottom.

Now the taste.

It's complex, salty and hot.

Noodle's a little soggy, but hey, it's not too bad.

Want proof?

I ate the whole thing.

They also have Tempura Udon for 330 yen.

The Udon is under the Tempura.

The taste?

Salty, chewy, pretty good!

So what's the deal with this place?

Let's ask the owner.

Recommendation from the chef.

The machine ate my money!

That's real dedication to serving your customers.

There is one more machine to try.

Toasted sandwich.

This machine has an oven mitten, tong and a try for your convenience.

It only takes 100yen coins.

There is a changer nearby.

Your choices: Red bean paste and cheeze,

or Italian toast with basel and bacon.

That's and easy one. Italian.

It takes 40seconds.

and it comes out hot.

That's why you need the thongs and tray.

I got a look inside the machine, earlier.

You can see the 2 choices.

and the toaster on the bottom.

Old school tech that just works.

Let's unwrap this thing.

It's a little on the thin side.

The tag has the sandwich's expiration date on it.

Fresh.

Oh wait! The drink!

There is an old Coca Cola machine for 100yen.

Cola just tastes better in a glass bottle, doesn't it?

Not too bad. Smells great.

A little basel, a little cheese.

Inside, it's not wall to wall painted.

Everything is in the middle, so you have to work

to the tasty center.

The taste.

is well...

It's a toasted sandwich. What did you expect?

Jihanki-Shokudo is opened from 10:00AM to about midnight.

In Japan, service and convenience converge at a place like this.

and so does culture.

People clean up after themselves.

and cleanliness of this unstaffed place impressed me the most.

The verdict, it's fun!

It's decent food for the price,

and it's certainly something out of the ordinary.

and that makes this place truly, ONLYinJAPAN.

Bon apetit.