Japanese vending machine sells fresh bear meat from local hunters

The Japanese are famous for their love of quirky vending machines and now another unusual offering has been added to the mix.

A new vending machine selling fresh bear meat has been installed at a bullet train station in Akita, north eastern Japan, the Japanese daily Mainichi reports.

The machine offers lean and fatty black bear meat for about $24.50 for 250 grams.

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There are about 10,000 black bears in Japan.

The species classed as internationally vulnerable, however Japan says there are limits placed on the numbers that can be hunted, the BBC reports. 

The bear meat in the vending machine is supplied by local hunters. The machine is operated by a restaurant, Soba Goro, and there are hopes it will create interest from tourists.

The machine usually sells about 10 to 15 packets of meat a week, but supplies sometimes run out because the bear hunting season is limited. 

A Soba Goro representative told Mainichi: "(Bear meat) tastes clean, and it doesn't get tough, even when cold. It can be enjoyed in a wide range of dishes, from stew to steaks." 

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