【Vending Machine Drive-In】 Time-Slip to the Showa Era! Enjoy Tempura Udon at Orange 353 in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture

The vending machine drive-in "Orange 353," located along National Route 353 at the foot of Mount Akagi. The slightly dim interior was a place of relaxation lined with rare food vending machines.

Dim but lively Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, Orange 353.

I have arrived at the drive-in, Orange 353, standing alone along National Route 353, surrounded by rural scenery. Contrary to the quiet exterior, inside the store, the sounds of game machines echo, creating a lively atmosphere. The air conditioning is effective, making it feel like an oasis after driving in the midsummer heat. Local patrons seem to come in to buy juice, and it has become a place of relaxation.

When I went to the retro vending machine corner I was aiming for, I found familiar options like udon, soba, and cup noodles, but unfortunately, the shaved ice vending machine and the cup drink vending machine that I had hoped would still be there were removed, possibly as a result of my prior research.

I try eating tempura udon counted by a Nixie tube.

Since it was a special occasion, I decided to have tempura udon. When I pressed the button, the Nixie tube display, which was commonly used until the 1970s, began its countdown. This technology, which has disappeared from the world around 1990 due to the predominance of low-power LCDs and LEDs, still works here in Gunma, transcending time. While I imagine the maintenance of the cooking process mechanisms is quite challenging, it's wonderful that even these seemingly insignificant parts are being taken care of.

A steaming hot bowl of tempura udon has been completed. It is topped with a handmade feeling tempura that includes vegetables and squid, and the dashi flavor is quite good.

The udon is finished with a smooth texture and just the right chewiness. Being udon from Gunma, where wheat production is active, it had a solid taste.

It seems it was the last bowl available, as the sold-out sign was lit up. The hiragana display also had a retro feel to it, and it was nice to see the sold-out sign.

Only here!? Enjoying a drive-in trip with a retro vending machine still in operation

The ice cream vending machine next to it also has a retro atmosphere and is nice. This ice cream vending machine was also at the Orange Hat Moro store that was previously covered, but it shouldn't have been at other stores I visited, making the difference in operating models at each store one of the joys of exploring retro vending machines.

This time, Orange 353, which we visited, is located by the roadside and has a retro atmosphere. The dimly lit store illuminated by fluorescent lights still carries the ambiance of the Showa era, creating a space where you feel like you can time-slip. When you visit Gunma, be sure to experience the time-slip sensation at the retro vending machines of Orange 353.

Reporting and text by Kazuma Tanaka

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