A refrigerated anko (sweet bean paste) vending machine has been installed outside Kinoshita Seianjo, a long-established bean paste maker in Morishita, Koto City, Tokyo. The machine operates 24 hours a day, making the shop's freshly made anko available to customers beyond normal business hours.
A Challenge of Limited Opening Hours
Kinoshita Seianjo has been producing anko in Morishita, Koto City, since its founding in 1949. Now in its fourth generation, the shop has continued to pursue the natural flavor of its beans using methods passed down through the family. In addition to supplying anko in bulk to wagashi shops and bread manufacturers, the shop has long sold directly to local customers at the counter.
However, sales at the shop were limited to opening hours, meaning potential customers during lunch breaks, on weekends, or on days when the shop was closed often went without. This gap in availability became an ongoing challenge.
Making Anko More Accessible
The vending machine came about from a simple wish: to let people enjoy anko more freely — on the way home from work, during a stroll, or on a leisurely weekend morning — whenever a craving strikes. The shop also hoped to capture demand tied to seasonal events such as the New Year holidays and the Buddhist equinox periods, and to introduce its products to a broader audience.
Refrigerated and Cashless-Ready for Round-the-Clock Sales
The installed machine keeps products chilled to protect the quality of the delicate anko, while also supporting temperature adjustments. It accepts cash as well as credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments, offering a straightforward purchasing experience at any hour.
A Design That Fits Into the Neighborhood
In recent years, the Morishita and Kiyosumi-Shirakawa area has gained attention as a neighborhood home to cafés, galleries, and museums. Kinoshita Seianjo has long valued its connection to this evolving streetscape while remaining rooted in tradition.
With that spirit in mind, the vending machine was designed to sit quietly within the surroundings rather than stand out. The wrapping incorporates the shop's logo mark alongside contemporary, approachable illustrations. The two sides of the machine carry different designs — one in Japanese, the other in English — and a small uguisu (Japanese bush warbler), a symbol of the shop, is tucked into the artwork as a small discovery for passersby to enjoy.
Shop Information
- Shop name: Kinoshita Seianjo (有限会社木下製餡所)
- Address: 4-10-6 Morishita, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0004
- Official website: http://ankokinoshita.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinoshitaanko/
