Stores selling Transformers in Japan

[Lord_Zed]

we might check out Himeji Castle too, we want to see and do as much as possible (while also buying as much stuff as possible)

That's doable,most stores in Japan are open till 8:00, a few seemed to stay open till 10:00 even. So you can sight see by day and shop at night. That's what I did.

Those are odd! I'm gonna stay on the lookout while we're over there and see what strange vending machines i can find haha

I found the vending machines very convenient for basic stuff like water. there literally everywhere and cheaper than the convenience stores.

Some oddities I've seen are:
+ Hot coffee. Sounds inoffensive but think about it - it's boiling hot coffee in a METAL can. Ouchies!!
+ Condoms
+ 5L cans of beer

There are also convenience stores (コンビに) all over the place which are always open (unlike some in Australia which _close_ after late hours )

We have condom vending machines here, but their hidden away from the public in the mens room of pubs and clubs. I think is saw one or two Beer vending machines over there though, now that's an oddity by Australian standards. A beer vending machine in Australia would be asking for trouble.

Like the Simpsons episode where Homer get's his arm trapped in a vending machine.
Fireman: "Homer are you just holding on to the can"
Homer: "Your point being?"

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah but I saw a condom vending machine on a public road outside an AM/PM 24h convenience store! It was disguised as a cigarette vending machine, but everyone knew what was really inside.

[liegeprime]

I only saw this on TV - vending machines with panties in it. guess if anyone needed a spare panty in case they soiled themselves heheheh of course does that mean only womenfolk soil themselves?

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Oh no, it's waaay better than that. The vending machines in question actually sell - or rather used to sell, as the vending machines have now been banned as far as I know - pre-worn panties, so perverts consumers can buy them to smell. Nowadays you have to go to specialist shops, which is nowhere near as wacky cool funny IMO.

[GoktimusPrime]

Ode is right. Those vending machines are now outlawed.

And not because of anything to do with countering sexual deviants/perverts -- but because it violates health laws! My guess is that it's probably a lot easier to enforce existing laws for public hygiene rather than trying to push for legislation to outlaw people from being perverts.

[Saintly]

I was going to say what Ode had said but thought it was unnecessary since it is a public forum.

Also let's not divert from the topic :P

[Firestorm]

note to self "fear japanese vending machines and toilets"

ok, here is my current plan for japan

Osaka for first 3 or 4 days (see osaka castle, go to den den town)
then Hiroshima for 3 or 4 days (go to miyajima)
(Blank)
Then Tokyo for about 2 weeks (Go to akihabara, go to shibuya, go to kyoto, go to ikebukuro, go to odaiba)

are there any other parts of japan that are worth staying at for a few days between hiroshima and tokyo for either Transformers, sightseeing, cultural stuff?

also reviews of hotels or airlines would be helpful too so feel free to post those