October 11, 2023. There’s something so satisfying about using a vending machine. You select your item after perusing all the offerings, put in your coins (well, now it’s usually a credit card), push that button and watch your purchase be pushed forward to drop into the tray, soon to be in your hands.
I remember making a point to visit the last Horn and Hardart Automat in New York before it closed in 1991. It was decidedly uncool then, but I was charmed by the fun of getting a slice of pie from a little glass doored compartment. Spurred by contactless meal service during the pandemic, automats are making a comeback!
But first, I went to the Compound Gallery to patronize their art vending machines. I got a cool set of printed coasters from one machine (the machine next to it dispenses pencils with fortunes printed on them), and these famous artist tokens from the gumball machine. I didn’t try the owl claw machine but it looks cool. Over the years I’ve visited other art vending machines; one was an old cigarette machine with a knob to pull out to make your selected artwork.
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4608-768x1024.jpeg)
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4609-768x1024.jpeg)
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4607-768x1024.jpeg)
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4631-768x1024.jpeg)
Next I visited the Cal campus. Late Wednesday afternoon it was packed with students. Thirsty ones, apparently. I’ve never seen a totally empty vending machine before! The big machine was a game rental machine in the student union. Tobtos is a brand of sleeping mat, for between class napping, I guess. I love this study aid vending machine. And I’m charmed to learn that students still take tests using Blue Books!
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4625-768x1024.jpeg)
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4626-768x1024.jpeg)
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4627-768x1024.jpeg)
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4628-768x1024.jpeg)
My main destination was Ramen Station on the Embarcadero in Oakland (or Okurando). I absolutely love this place. I had such an amazing time in Japan so I was happy to be immersed in this subway station themed restaurant. One video screen shows what you’d see on a Japanese subway car, complete with the announcements in Japanese and English (as it is in Tokyo). Another screen had street scenes that made me pine to go back.
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4613-768x1024.jpeg)
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4618-768x1024.jpeg)
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4621-768x1024.jpeg)
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4623-1-768x1024.jpeg)
I chose the Black Garlic Tonkatsu and it was delicious. You order on a screen and wait for your number to be called. A disembodied hand places your order on a tray to pick up. And there’s a clean restroom, just like in Japan! There are four drink vending machines with drinks I saw in Japan (water, coffee, tea and Pocari Sweat!) plus cute sodas. I couldn’t resist buying this little Rilakkuma tin which contains marshmallow flavored candies shaped like his face! So kawaii!
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4612-768x1024.jpeg)
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4630-768x1024.jpeg)
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4616-768x1024.jpeg)
![](https://clairetompkins.art/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4611-768x1024.jpeg)