When I hear the word “insects,” I remember, “I played with them a lot when I was a child.”
Back then, I could touch earthworms, grasshoppers, and mysterious larvae without hesitation, but when did I start becoming afraid of seeing insects?
Now, I even feel uncomfortable just looking at them, let alone touching them.
And now, as an adult, I find myself facing insect “food.”
Moreover, the phrase “I’m curious about the taste…”
No, no, that absolutely means I have to eat it, right!?
But I’m also curious: “Why is there an insect food vending machine in front of Kannai Station?” and “What does it taste like?”
There’s no choice but to do it. I’ll do it, please let me do it.
And since this is my first face-to-face interview, please watch with warm eyes.
Off to Kannai!!
After getting off at the JR Kannai Station North Exit and walking a little to the right, you’ll see the CERTE sign, and there it is! The insect food vending machine, found!
Looking closely at the colorful exterior design… Ugh!
Let me mention something from the interview beforehand: among the various exterior designs available, they told me with a smile that they “chose the design with the most punch.”
Full of the appeal of insect food
Before taking this photo, some boys were peering into the insect vending machine with great interest.
It seems it’s indeed an object of curiosity.
Here is the product lineup
The pictures are quite realistic.
And the catchphrases for each insect food are interesting.
My favorite among them is:
Rhinoceros Beetle
“Strong and cool!! Feel the earth!!!!!”
Emperor Scorpion
“Very popular!! The fun of sharing it between two people!”
It makes me feel a bit positive, but then I come back to myself thinking, “No, no, no! (;’∀’)” It’s a delicate line.
The sense of humor shines through.
I can’t help but laugh at the fanciness of the “Mystery Can” package.
When I bought the insect food, an elderly woman also approached me (was she going to talk to me…?) keeping a certain distance.
But she just stared intently at the insect food I was holding and then walked away (laughs).
There are two types of Mystery Cans:
・Black (seasoned only with salt to highlight the ingredient’s flavor)
・Pink (flavored to be easy to eat as a snack)
Since it’s a Mystery Can, you don’t know what’s inside.
It’s a feeling I can’t quite place—is it anticipation or hesitation?
Well then, I’m off to investigate how it came to be installed at CERTE!
I was allowed to display the insect food I bought earlier.
The person who agreed to the interview this time was the Section Chief.
Having worked at CERTE for 25 years and witnessed its various changes, they were the one who decided, “Let’s put in an insect food vending machine!”
