Story Vending Machines Tour Locations: Currently at Aoyama Gakuin University, and Joining Shueisha Cobalt Bunko 50th Anniversary Exhibit for Golden Week
Tohan Corporation is installing its 'Story Vending Machines,' which print free short stories, at Aoyama Gakuin University and a special Shueisha exhibit to promote reading culture among youth.
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- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 12:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 02:40 (14h 8m after Collected)
Tohan Corporation (Headquarters: Shinjuku, Tokyo; President: Hiroaki Kawakami) has installed a 'Story Vending Machine' at Aoyama Gakuin University's Sagamihara Campus for the 'Stories are Fun' exhibition starting April 13, 2026. Additionally, starting April 29, the machine will be featured at the 'Shueisha Cobalt Bunko 50th Anniversary Exhibition' held at Seibu Shibuya.
### 1. Aoyama Gakuin University Sagamihara Campus
**Exhibition Title:** 'Stories are Fun'
**Overview:** Following a successful run at the Aoyama Campus (Nov 2025 – Jan 2026), this second installation target students at the Sagamihara Campus. It features 73 works, including novels and essays recommended by students, as well as original short stories submitted by the student body for this project. It aims to provide busy students with opportunities to enjoy literature in short bursts of time.
**Location:** Sagamihara Campus (Sagamihara City, Kanagawa)
**Period:** April 13, 2026 – June 23, 2026
### 2. Shueisha Cobalt Bunko 50th Anniversary Exhibition
**Exhibition Title:** 'Kururin♡Story Box'
**Overview:** Installed at the 50th-anniversary celebration of Shueisha Cobalt Bunko. Users can select one of five categories, such as 'Legendary Hits' or 'Heart-Pounding Romances,' to receive a free, random printout of the beginning of one of 100 works. The title 'Kururin♡Story Box' is a nod to the historical 'Kururin♡Fax' service once popular with readers.
**Location:** Seibu Shibuya, Building A, 7th Floor (Shibuya, Tokyo)
**Period:** April 29, 2026 – May 10, 2026 (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
*Entry requires a paid ticket.
### About the 'Story Vending Machine' Project
This new Tohan initiative began testing in October 2025. It allows users to randomly print and receive free short stories on the spot. The project was selected for the Agency for Cultural Affairs' FY2025 program for promoting literacy resources. To date, it has been installed in seven locations including the Setagaya Literature Museum, with 8,500 total usages and a 95.5% satisfaction rate. Over 70% of users expressed interest in reading the full versions of the stories after use. Tohan plans to continue experiments through FY2026 in collaboration with publishers, local governments, and schools.
### 1. Aoyama Gakuin University Sagamihara Campus
**Exhibition Title:** 'Stories are Fun'
**Overview:** Following a successful run at the Aoyama Campus (Nov 2025 – Jan 2026), this second installation target students at the Sagamihara Campus. It features 73 works, including novels and essays recommended by students, as well as original short stories submitted by the student body for this project. It aims to provide busy students with opportunities to enjoy literature in short bursts of time.
**Location:** Sagamihara Campus (Sagamihara City, Kanagawa)
**Period:** April 13, 2026 – June 23, 2026
### 2. Shueisha Cobalt Bunko 50th Anniversary Exhibition
**Exhibition Title:** 'Kururin♡Story Box'
**Overview:** Installed at the 50th-anniversary celebration of Shueisha Cobalt Bunko. Users can select one of five categories, such as 'Legendary Hits' or 'Heart-Pounding Romances,' to receive a free, random printout of the beginning of one of 100 works. The title 'Kururin♡Story Box' is a nod to the historical 'Kururin♡Fax' service once popular with readers.
**Location:** Seibu Shibuya, Building A, 7th Floor (Shibuya, Tokyo)
**Period:** April 29, 2026 – May 10, 2026 (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
*Entry requires a paid ticket.
### About the 'Story Vending Machine' Project
This new Tohan initiative began testing in October 2025. It allows users to randomly print and receive free short stories on the spot. The project was selected for the Agency for Cultural Affairs' FY2025 program for promoting literacy resources. To date, it has been installed in seven locations including the Setagaya Literature Museum, with 8,500 total usages and a 95.5% satisfaction rate. Over 70% of users expressed interest in reading the full versions of the stories after use. Tohan plans to continue experiments through FY2026 in collaboration with publishers, local governments, and schools.