Grab Your “Fukubukuro”!
Here’s why I love Japan: it’s a country that kicks off the New Year by grabbing onto a “Fukubukuro” or two – also known as “lucky bags!”
That’s right – it’s an annual tradition in Japan to offer up “lucky bags”, and everyone from department stores to restaurants and even Ikea sell these mystery “Fukubukuro” bags, filled with all sorts of stuff you have to buy to discover what’s inside!
The Reporters at the terrific website “Soranews24.com” bought a few to reveal what was inside them – lets take a look at some of the best ones:
A Gaming “Lucky Bag!”
This $19 “lucky bag” was purchased at Lammtarra, a Japanese gaming/tech store, and here’s what was inside: a Famicom (NES) clone game console, a wallet with the Marvel logo, some disposable cooling sheets, three novelty pouches patterned after Cup Noodle lids, and a bunch of capsule toy figures.
Not bad for $19!
Not to be outdone, Reporter Oona McGee found one that specialized in Cosplay stuff:
Hilarious! This appears to be a costume from “The Grudge” horror movie, but regardless, what a way to dress up for your next cosplay event!
McGee then went on a reporting spree, covering a bunch of different “lucky bags” for sale all around Tokyo, including this incredible “Fukubukuro” bag from Ikea:
The Ikea Hot Dog Fukubukuro!
Yes, Ikea had a “mystery bag” of hot dog stuff! As McGee reported:
“To celebrate the start of 2020, these hot dog bags were priced at 2,020 yen (US$18.69),and included Two hot dog sets (consisting of 20 buns and 20 pork sausages),
Tomato ketchup, Mild mustard, Two packs of fried onions, Sliced pickles, and an Ikea cooler bag!”
That’s less than a buck a dog! Nice! McGee is a great Reporter, and Soranews24.com is a fun website as well.
You can see more of her swag here:
https://soranews24.com/tag/fukubukuro-roundup-2020/
You see, a lot of different stores offer up all sorts of cool stuff in these “lucky bags” – I wish we had this in the US!
As I was reading the story I came across this sentence:
“But what about more carnal appetites? It turns out there’s a fukubukuro for those too.”
Yes, that enterprising website also tracked down some “adult lucky bags” – and it’s just about what you’d expect!
You can see more of their roundup at their website here – don’t worry, everything is pixilated:
I love the concept of lucky bags and would buy them in a heartbeat!
“Lucky bags” are just one reason I love Japan – another reason are their unique “capsule hotels!”
That’s right – THAT’S your hotel room for the night!
“Capsule hotels” are very inexpensive, you just have to give up some of the things you expect from a hotel room – like a room! Instead, you sleep in a capsule in the wall!
Click here to get a tour of this unique living space:
https://johnrieber.com/2017/09/12/stay-in-tokyo-for-770-a-month-yes-if-you-can-live-in-a-capsule/
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Leave a comment and let me know if you’ve ever purchased a “lucky bag!”
Categories: Books / Media, Exotic Travel, Food, food blog, Food Review, Funny Pictures, Japan, Pop Culture, Technology, Tokyo!, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, Wacky Food
johnrieber 
What a great idea! A surprise (a la secret) Santa to start off the year 🙂
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Agree! Thanks for commenting!
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I have purchased ones for my children.
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I love the idea of these – a fun party gift to be sure! Thanks for commenting!
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I have never seen such ‘lucky bags’ for sale here. But when they bring them out, I will certainly be trying them!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, because you know what the stores normally sell, you get a good idea of the kind of fun stuff…i’d buy that hot dog mystery bag for sure! Thanks for the comment!
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