( CNN ) -- If you 've traveled to Asia at all , the center of all things techy and kitschy , you 've no doubt witnessed some of the odd stuff sold in vending machines there . ( Japan , in fact , has the highest concentration of vending machines in the world , with one per every 23 people . ) Drop your coins in the slot and you can retrieve everything from fresh eggs to pet rhinoceros beetles . There 's even a new machine in Singapore that dispenses free bottles of Coke in exchange for a hug ( yes , you have to actually wrap your arms around the machine ) . But unusually stocked vending machines are showing up more and more frequently in the United States these days , particularly in airports and other areas heavily trafficked by travelers . So stock up your change purse and check out these nine vending machines that deliver both quirkiness and convenience . Cupcakes , Sprinkles bakery . Have a ferocious sweet tooth ? Famed Los Angeles-based cupcake maker Sprinkles made it easy to satisfy your craving no matter the time of day or night when it unveiled the first of its 24-hour cupcake ATMs , which was installed outside its original Beverly Hills location . The individually boxed confections go for $ 4 apiece , come in a variety of flavors , and are said to never be more than a few hours old . Photos : Earth 's otherworldly landscapes . Original artworks , Smithsonian American Art Museum . After a visit to this D.C. art museum showcasing the works of everyone from Georgia O'Keeffe to John Singer Sargent , you may be inspired to start a collection of your own . Thanks to the on-site Art-o-mat , one of dozens located at galleries and similar locales throughout the country , $ 5 is all you 'll need to get started . Simply put your money in the slot , pull the handle , and out pops a pocket-size masterpiece created by one of 400 artists from around the world . The Art-o-mats , which are all reconfigured from vintage cigarette machines , are somewhat of a work of art in themselves . The world 's record-breaking airports . Women 's flats , Vegas hotels . In Vegas , just outside the TAO nightclub in the The Venetian hotel and the Vanity club at the Hard Rock Hotel , there are handy little dispensaries aimed at ladies suffering the aches and pains of having danced the night away in sky-high stilettos . For $ 19.95 , they can purchase a pair of stylish Rollasole ballet flats that unfold to provide their feet instant relief from teetering around in high heels all evening . Fresh flowers , Nashville International Airport . Picking up a loved one at the airport and want to welcome them with a handful of colorful blooms ? You 're in luck , as Nashville International in Tennessee is just one of 29 airports in cities across the U.S. that features a refrigerated 24-Hour Flower vending machine selling bouquets of flowers that start at as little as $ 10 . The company 's newest flower dispensary is at the brand new Terminal 3 at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas . Gold bars , Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino . The Golden Nugget in Atlantic City , New Jersey , seems an appropriate location for a vending machine that sells a selection of gold bars and coins . The 300-plus items inside the GOLD to go ATM are sold by the ounce or gram and their prices are updated every 60 seconds according to market fluctuations . The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas also offers this shopping convenience . Beach gear , Miramar Beach . It happens all the time : You drive to the coast , scope out the perfect spot on the sand , lay out your towel , and are about to dive into the surf when you realize you 've forgotten the sunscreen . At Gulf-front Miramar Beach in Destin , Florida , there 's no need to pack everything back up for a trip to go get some SPF 30 . Simply head to the Sandbox vending machine adjacent to the beach bar at Pompano Joe 's Seafood House , and you 'll find a selection of sunscreen , sunglasses , goggles , floats and other fun-in-the-sun necessities . Luxury goods , Hudson Hotel . Designed as an alternative to the traditional hotel gift shop , the unique vending machine at this trendy New York City lodging , nicknamed Semi-Automatic , contains a curated collection of designer items like Comme des GarÃ§ons wallets , Nixon watches , and Ray-Ban sunglasses . Got an extra $ 90,000 ? Splurge on its most expensive selection : the keys to a brand new Bentley Arnage T. Clothes to go , South Station . Forgot to pack clean underwear for your big trip to Bean Town ? Visitors arriving through the South Station bus and train terminal in Boston can stock up on undies , T-shirts , socks , scarves and the like from Automatic Apparel 's automated clothing `` store . '' Everything is under $ 15 and can be returned if deemed unsatisfactory . Consumer electronics , San Antonio International Airport . There 's nothing worse than being stuck on a long flight with a crying baby or a snoring seatmate . Block out the noise with a pair of Beats by Dr. Dre headphones available from one of the Best Buy Express vending machines at San Antonio International in Texas , one of the more than 50 airports across the country to feature the retail giant 's automated selection of digital cameras , portable media players , gaming consoles , phone chargers , and other gadgets that help make travel -- and life -- a little easier .
More unique vending machines are popping up in the United States . The first of these was installed at a McDonald's restaurant in New York City last year and is now being used by more than 100 restaurants around the country. Golden Nugget casinos have ATMs that dispense gold . In Beverly Hills , fresh cupcakes are available via machine 24/7 .