This looks like a normal vending machine, but it’s not! This is an artisanal cookie vending machine!
Artisanal cookies “Shonan cookies” are made in the Shonan area, the coastal area of Kanagawa prefecture one hour by train from Tokyo.
These cookies made by a small local company are sold in vending machines located around the cities of Hiratsuka, Oiso and Fujisawa.
Made with only natural ingredients, they taste like expensive cookies but are much cheaper. 120 yen for a bag of five cookies.
Shape and name of the cookies are quite fun too.
For example, Shonan Longboard packaging has a picture of a surfer.
Since Shonan coast is located along the Pacific Ocean, waves are big enough to do some surfing or longboarding.
Shonan beaches are also very popular during the summer in locations like Zushi or Yuigahama.
You can try to go there in summer to experience a typical Japanese holiday.
Shonan Longboard cookies are made with hazelnuts and almond powder with a hint of cinnamon.
Ushio are chocolate and vanilla cookies.
Since “Ushio” means “tide” in Japanese, the marbled surface of the cookie represents the ocean’s tide.
The buttery taste goes really well with a cup of coffee.
Last one I bought is whimsically called “Shonan beach de coffee rumba”, “Coffee Rumba on Shonan beach”... hum...
Look at those cute drawings! A full rumba orchestra of coffee cookies. The saxophonist looks so serious!
These are cookies made from coconut powder and coffee.
Shonan Cookies also have many other cookies and also snacks made with Shonan products like small dried fishes or seaweeds.
If you’re going to visit Shonan area like Hiratsuka, Ninomiya or Odawara, you can find them in special vending machines, local shop and also directly at the factory in Hiratsuka.
It’s also possible to order it through their website
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/%E6%B9%98%E5%8D%97%E3%82%AF%E3%83%83%E3%82%AD%E3%83%BC-Shohnan-Cooky-Co-LTD/194014780620953
Official site: http://shohnan-an.com/
Access to the factory:
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