Tabako Dog

It’s always mystified me why in Japan, with its proliferation of cigarette vending machines, one still sees old style cigarette vendors, usually older man or a woman, sitting behind a counter selling smokes, usually next to three or four cigarette vending machines.

What function do they serve? Are they there for customers who only have large bills?(unlikely, as I know many machines take large bills) To sell lighters?

I suspect that the reason that they still exist is to sell cartons of cigarettes. I recall walking up to one of these vendors, asking for a pack, and they told me to use the machines right next to them.

Here are couple of pictures of cutest cigarette vendors. I’d buy packs from them over a vending machine any day.

tabako-dog-01.jpg

tabako-dog-02.jpg

3 Responses to “Tabako Dog”

  1. Raku Says:

    I love the statement on the store banner “Smokin’ Clean” sounds like an oxymoron to me.

  2. gail Says:

    So cute!

  3. junosora Says:

    yes, he(she?) is very cute!

    also, “smokin’ clean” is a JT(Japan Tobacco)’s slogan for not throwing cigarette butts and smoking in designated area. but yeah, still pretty ironic.

    doesn’t it totally want to make you have a puff or two?

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