I heard there was a frozen tuna vending machine in the suburbs of Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture, so I drove all the way from Naoetsu along the Hokuhoku Highway to Tokamachi. It looks like a large factory from the outside, but there’s a modest “Tuna” banner at the entrance, and the vending machine is in the parking lot on the premises. I arrived just before noon. Two groups of customers came in within about 10 minutes, so it seems to be quite popular. I tried it, and it didn’t have the distinctive flavor of farmed tuna; I enjoyed the rich, authentic flavor of real tuna. I thought 160g might be a little small, but when I put it on rice, it made a huge pile, and I was completely full! (laughs)

Yamazaki Foods
1530-20 Babahei, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture
Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/XQ2isqtaH2nQPdqq8