[Midnight Drive] I wanted to cool off a bit, so I went for an adult night stroll at the retro vending machine corner in Sagamihara.

On a summer night when the muggy heat had calmed down a bit, I suddenly thought of going for a drive. My aim was to visit retro vending machines wrapped in the quiet night air. I experienced a group of vending machines that had a different expression than during the day.

Escaping the muggy city, I ventured into the retro vending machine corner at night

This year's heat seems somewhat milder compared to previous years, but the humidity remains as it always has. However, while walking the dog, I suddenly noticed that I’ve been feeling more of a pleasant breeze late at night.

So, thinking a night drive would be refreshing, I headed to the retro vending machine corner next to "Used Tire Market Sagamihara" in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture. The time was 8 PM. The temperature had dropped to 26°C, making it completely comfortable and pleasant.

The night vending machine corner is devoid of the usual hustle and bustle. There are no lines, and a quiet time flows. The light from the vending machines illuminates the darkness, creating a nostalgic atmosphere. Coupled with the characteristic hum of the machines, it evokes a sense of excitement, as if embarking on a night adventure.

The usually crowded street and benches are completely quiet now. A dim and eerie air lingers, making me hesitate to take a few more steps, but many people likely enjoy this ambiance.

One companion murmured, "It's kind of scary..." regarding the retro game corner behind. Indeed, game sounds can be heard from the darkness, creating a sensation as if only the machines are moving in an empty space. This blend of eeriness and nostalgia, along with the deep atmosphere, is one of the true pleasures of a nighttime stroll.

It seems that there was also a retro vending machine-like happening

after fully enjoying the slightly suspicious atmosphere, I started to feel a bit hungry. So I decided to take a closer look at the lineup of retro vending machines. During the day, it's often crowded with people, but right now it was quite empty, almost like I had it all to myself. I was able to thoroughly observe the types of vending machines, the buttons, and the panel designs.

Among the canned juices, what caught my attention was a drink called "hiyashi ame" located at the end. I wondered if it had a gentle taste like water syrup? To my surprise, it contains ginger from Kochi Prefecture.

It seems to be a staple in Kansai, but having been in Kanto, I had never tried it. Curious about its flavor, I inserted some money and pressed the button…

But it made no sound and remained silent. That's right. Retro vending machines don't always operate perfectly. However, that's part of the fun. My money was safely returned, so I decided to look for the next target.

What surprised me while strolling was that the inventory levels did not change at night compared to during the day. Although popular items like hamburgers were sold out, udon and soba were still going strong. There were people, like the author, who stopped by while sightseeing, but surprisingly, there were also people who quickly bought the items they came for and headed home, giving off a post-work vibe, which made me think it was an interesting place.

Tonight, I will savor nostalgia with the instant noodles that stop boiling perfectly

On this night, it wasn't too muggy, and I was thinking, "Warm soba would be nice," but for some reason, I was inexplicably drawn to instant noodles. Perhaps influenced by the silent night air and a somewhat eerie atmosphere, I found myself longing for the junky taste I hadn't had in a few years.

Just as I was about to put in some money, I wondered if the correct amount was 250 yen or 130 yen? The numbers on the display and the caution note didn't match, so I froze for a moment. I first put in 130 yen and pressed the button, but there was no sign of any response. It seems the correct amount is indeed 250 yen.

I peeled back about half of the lid and placed it in the hot water space. When I pressed the hot water button, boiling water started pouring in vigorously!

The hot water stopped perfectly at just the right amount, and a steaming cup of noodles was successfully completed. Speaking of cup noodles, I always thought it was normal to fill it up to the line myself, so this was a first-time experience. It’s just poured directly from the vending machine, but I felt like a child, excited by that live feeling.

Usually, the benches turn into a battle for seats, but at night, I could sit wherever I wanted. However, I took a little stroll with my cup noodles in one hand, so the noodles got a bit soggy. Such little mishaps also made for a good memory of the night adventure.

Ah... delicious. It had been quite a while since I last had it, but this unique flavor is truly one of a kind. It felt nostalgic and warm, like that one cup I had at the park after school long ago. Eating it in the quiet of the night added a special feeling, and I finished it in no time. The location in front of the retro vending machine is the perfect spice.

Next time, when it’s a little cooler, I’d like to come back to enjoy this night atmosphere again.

Location: 2661-1 Shimomizo, Minami-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 24 hours
● Used Tire Market Sagamihara Store Vending Machine Corner

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