"Popular explosion!" "Super rare!" "Cute!" ... All of these are comments about acure The main topic is <apple vending machines>!

Lined up in <Apple Vending Machines> are <Aomori Apple Series] only from acure made >. It has a cute apple design and is a "100% apple" vending machine no matter where you cut it.

This autumn, <apple vending machines> appeared at JR Tokyo (* 1) and JR Ueno (* 2).

Why "apples"? Why are these two stations ?? Furthermore, the secret behind the topic so far is not only the vending machines but also the lineup ...!

Interview with Mr. acure of Accure, who can be said to be the creator of <apple vending machines>, such as the secret of his birth and the feelings he put into it. We will deliver full of episodes full of "Aomori apple love"!​

※1 JR東日本旅客鉄道株式会社の管轄としての駅
※2　＜りんご自販機＞設置場所は、東京駅は丸の内地下1階中央コンコース丸ビル入口付近（改札外）、上野駅は3階コンコース公園口改札前付近（改札内）

"Shunya"! <Apple vending machine> is a hot topic on SNS and internet news. Why did you decide to make a "100% apple" vending machine in the first place?

"I am glad that many people have used it! I would like to thank you again. Thank you! To let people know more about the charm of Aomori, and for those who visited from outside the prefecture, this series as" Aomori souvenir " I would like you to pick up your drink. That was the reason for the birth of <Apple Vending Machine>. "

今回、東京駅と上野駅に設置したのは、実は＜りんご自販機＞としては4台目・5台目になるんだそう。「えっ？こんなキュートな自販機、以前は見かけたことがなかったような……」という人も多いのではないでしょうか？

"I think there were many people who said that this was their first meeting. That should be the case. Until then, <apple vending machines> were limited to Aomori Prefecture. In 2017, they were installed at JR Aomori Station and JR Shin-Aomori Station (above). It was the beginning. "

The lineup of <apple vending machines> is < acure made >​"Aomori Apple Series" Only. There are various varieties of "Aomori apples", and each has its own individuality! The "Aomori Apple Series" is a acure has been working on for 10 years to convey its deliciousness and charm of Aomori.

At first, the <apple vending machine> was a super rare vending machine that you can meet only in Aomori, the hometown of the "Aomori apple series"!

「そうなんです。2020年2月には、“りんご生産量日本一”の弘前市にあるJR弘前駅（以下、弘前駅）に3台目の設置が叶いました。“故郷に錦を飾る”ではありませんが、私たちの＜りんご自販機＞がりんごのまち・弘前に根を下ろすことができたのは感無量でした」

"Shunya" who gradually got hot. Moreover, the <apple vending machines> in Hirosaki installed by "Shunya" are a little different from those at other stations!

Hirosaki Station is the gateway to the city of apples, Hirosaki.

"Many tourists come to the waiting room on their way home from their trip. At that time, if you suddenly meet an <apple vending machine>, you will have more memories of your trip and you can choose it as a souvenir."

Not just to moisturize the thirsty throat. Surprise, fun, and memories of your trip are born. It is also an opportunity to convey the charm of Aomori apples. The feelings put into these <apple vending machines> were surely conveyed to the users through the two already installed units.

"Shunya" said that he told the stationmaster about such purpose and value.

"I was happy when I was able to agree,'If so, let's install it!'"

さらに「しゅんや」さんたちは、「“りんごのまちの自販機”として、特別バージョンにしよう！」と、「自販機デザインコンテスト」を開催。想像を上回る多数の応募があり、2020年6月に誕生したのが、こちら！

Full of fun and cuteness! Why was this design chosen?

“Various colors of apples "Fuji", "Orin", and Toki. Aomori apples are rich in varieties, and the characteristics of the“ Aomori apple series ”where you can enjoy juice from each variety. It was a wonderful design that was transmitted, and it was decided unanimously in the in-house examination. "

What's more, there are stickers of dancing apples on the back of the vending machine and on the window glass of the waiting room!

「これは駅長さんのアイデアなんです。『待合室のお客さまにも楽しんでいただけて、アピールにもなるのでは』とご協力くださいました」

Hirosaki City is home to many apple attractions such as "Hirosaki Apple Park," "Apple Road," and "Apple Post." It seems that the <apple vending machine> at Hirosaki Station has also joined the ranks of sightseeing and photography spots!

The <apple vending machine> at Hirosaki Station said, "There was a big response in the local area."

"I was surprised to hear that there was an inquiry saying,'I want to see the <apple vending machine>, so let me enter the ticket gate!'. I was happy. I was introduced in local newspapers and guidebooks."

An episode that conveys the "apple love" of the locals!

そして、そんな地元の人たち＝青森県に暮らすみなさんは、りんごに対する舌が肥えているはず……。『青森りんごシリーズ』はどう受け止められたのでしょうか？

"Thankfully, the <apple vending machine> is the best-selling vending machine at Hirosaki Station. The operator in charge may say," This is delicious! "And" I'll compare all types! " That's right"

Initially, the <apple vending machine> started with the idea of being a souvenir for people visiting on a trip or business trip. But recently, the number of visitors from outside the prefecture has decreased ... The fact that it is still selling is because the locals are constantly buying it!

"Apple love" that spreads steadily around <apple vending machines>. That led to the installation in the Tokyo metropolitan area this time.

「はい！さらに、SNSで青森県内の＜りんご自販機＞を知ったお客さまから『都内にも置いてほしい！』というお声も多く、背中を押していただきましたね」

For Mr. Shunya, who has been involved in <apple vending machines> since joining the company, installing <apple vending machines> in the Tokyo metropolitan area is an "absolutely desirable mission."

"This year marks the 10th anniversary of the" Aomori Apple Series. "It was also a great milestone for more people to know the charm of Aomori through <apple vending machines>."

In addition, there is another good news in the series.

「希少品種『世界一』の発売です（※3）。『世界一って何？」『スゴいりんごジュースがあるらしい！』と話題となり、多くの方々にご好評をいただきました 」

In the <apple vending machine>, there are a "Fuji"", "Toki" and "Jonagold" (* 4)! Various varieties and charms of Aomori apples are condensed.

※3,4 『世界一』は、青森県内および首都圏の＜りんご自販機＞を中心とした数量限定販売（現在は販売を終了しています）（2020月10月末時点）

There were many voices saying, "I want such a vending machine in my town!", Why did you choose Tokyo and Ueno

"Tokyo is exactly the gateway to Tokyo and is used by many customers. Ueno is the gateway that connects Aomori and Tokyo" It was big to have it. It is our dream to convey not only the charm of Aomori but also the charm of Aomori together! "

> What kind of apple is "the best in the world"? There are other "world's best" that Japan is proud of
＞ This person's "Aomori apple love" is not good either! "Aomori apple series" product charge, Yui apple

In this way, the <apple vending machine> was warmly welcomed by many people. But when you think about it, "a vending machine with only apple juice" was risky, wasn't it?

"At first, I was worried. Some customers may have decided to buy canned coffee here, and some may have trouble saying," I don't have water or tea! " We carefully selected places that would catch the eye of many customers, and devised ways such as choosing a place that was lined up with ordinary vending machines. "

Sales may drop ... Despite the risk, the reason why I dared to take on the challenge was, "In a word, I wanted to make customers happy," says Shunya.

"Recently, it's difficult to travel casually, get together and talk, and it's difficult to do what you normally do. Even so, you can use vending machines at acure I want to provide customers with a bright topic that's what I thought"

In fact, there are many people who bother to visit, saying, "I really want to see <apple vending machines>!" And "I want to drink various apple juices!" And everybody, almost always click on the photo. In this way, it spread more and more on SNS.

「その投稿を見て『行ってみたい！』『なんだか面白そう！』と興味を持ってくださる方も。青森の魅力や“ワクワク”する気持ちがつながり、広がっていく。＜りんご自販機＞を作って本当によかった、と感じています」

<Apple vending machine> is acure of Accure's desire to "liven up Aomori." Such feelings have been passed on to many people, and the members of the <Apple Vending Machine> team are biting into the response.

“We will continue to provide customers with surprises and enjoyment through vending machines and drinks,” says Shunya.

これからどんな“ワクワク”が待っているのか、『青森りんごシリーズ』を味わいながら青森の地に想いを馳せつつ、アキュアの新たな挑戦に期待しましょう！