Shopping Guide
Fukubukuro finds are a great source of happiness for many in the holiday season, and even more so if those bags are stuffed with merchandise revolving around Japan's adorable characters~ However, they're traditionally released on the first day of the new year, so in the meantime get pumped by taking a peek at past years' offerings!
1. Ghibli-themed goodies galore at Donguri Republic~
First up on the list is Donguri Republic’s fukubukuro! This iconic store is the go-to for official Studio Ghibli merchandise with stores all over Japan, and it’s a given that when you walk into this store, it’s hard to choose between all the amazing merchandise. The 2017 bag was loaded with beautiful items that you can enjoy as a part of your everyday life like a tumbler and chopsticks featuring classics like My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service and more!
とんぐり共和国のジブリ福袋買いました👍✨
— たぐち まい (@kapibalove7) https://twitter.com/kapibalove7/status/815411304521289728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2017
3000円だったんだけど、アームカバー？だけで2400円！ https://t.co/ewnCGMN4JJ">pic.twitter.com/ewnCGMN4JJ
2. The Pokémon Center, making your trainer dreams come true!
Next up is an absolute must-have for Pokémon trainers all over the world: a fukubukuro from none other than the Pokémon Center! Pokémon Centers have an outrageous number of plush toys to choose between, so it looks like this handy fukubukuro relieved collectors of the stress of choosing between all of the adorable designs.
ポケモンセンターの福袋｢ピカピカバッグ2017｣買いました！！！！！！！！めっちゃ入ってる……買ってよかった……！！！！！！問題は置き場所← https://t.co/Ea4BaGtds6">pic.twitter.com/Ea4BaGtds6
— 星月みぞれ (@miru168) https://twitter.com/miru168/status/815759988408782849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2017
3. Hello Kitty and My Melody lead in cuteness with this amazingly pink fukubukuro!
キャラミックス福袋の中身♡
— ＊みるく＊ (@melomelody15) https://twitter.com/melomelody15/status/816176909964873729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2017
マイメロちゃんグッズ入ってて良かったあ♡
ぬいぐるみはマイメロちゃんとキティちゃん♡ふわふわで可愛すぎるる〜(੭ु´͈ ᐜ `͈)੭ु⁾⁾♡
タオルも色んなキャラがいるよ♪https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E3%83%9E%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A1%E3%83%AD?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#マイメロ https://t.co/2EqoI6k7oo">pic.twitter.com/2EqoI6k7oo
Sanrio is always the place to go for goods based on Hello Kitty and other adorable friends. If you're stuck on which character to take home, why not get some of everything with a mixed fukubukuro?
4. Rilakkuma and his San-X buddies are chill as ever, even in the holiday season!
サンエックスの福袋（≧∇≦）これイオンモール岡山^o^^o^1000円でこんなにたくさんリラックマグッズ入っていたので大満足（≧∇≦） https://t.co/imo3IRF5xx">pic.twitter.com/imo3IRF5xx
— 嫁タカ (@yometaka) https://twitter.com/yometaka/status/688420649459527680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2016
A fukubukuro with goodies from San-X's super-relaxed bear Rilakkuma plus his friends Korilakkuma and Kiiroitori is a great way to start off the year. Like this mixed bundle of items from 2016, you might also score some other items featuring characters like the adorably shy-looking Sumikko Gurashi!
5. Welcome in another year Funabashi-style with Funassyi!
2/2は船橋にも予約した福袋取りに行ったよ。ふなっしー店長の年賀状もくれた。グレイパーカーは大黒様とふなコレ色々。ラピートは梨団子クッション2とふなラングッズ色々。日テレはクッションやティッシュケースなど。持ってるものもあるけど無いものがたくさんあって嬉しい(*´ω｀*) https://t.co/GcVPz8ZRxJ">pic.twitter.com/GcVPz8ZRxJ
— Creamy Kotoi(眠兎) (@Creamy_Kotoi) https://twitter.com/Creamy_Kotoi/status/817257766926458880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2017
Funabashi's boisterous mascot is always down to celebrate the new year with Funassyi-filled fukubukuro~ This fan was lucky enough to score not one, nor two, but three fukubukuro, which also came with a cute New Years greetings from the lively pear fairy itself!
6. Kumamon wishes everyone a bear-y Happy New Year~
わー！！！！！わー！！！くまモン福袋のラインナップやば杉内！！！！！！！！これで三千円！？ポストカードの枚数だけでも2/3の元が取れてるんですけど！！！！！！！！！！！くまモン！！！神！！！！！ https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E7%A6%8F%E8%A2%8B?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#福袋 https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E3%81%8F%E3%81%BE%E3%83%A2%E3%83%B3?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#くまモン https://t.co/sfFGrvVPg0">pic.twitter.com/sfFGrvVPg0
— ちこは1月KEYTALK札幌 (@__c__pi__111) https://twitter.com/__c__pi__111/status/815394101126254592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2017
Travelling from Funabashi all the way over to Kumamoto in Kyushu, let's continue onto another adorable mascot - Kumamon! 3000 yen snagged this lucky fan quite a haul, with tons of useful items that help to spread the charm of the beloved black bear.
7. Just keep swimming with Sirotan into a new year!
しろたん福袋❤今年は鏡餅たんが入ってました(*^^*)そして嬉しいことに当たりが入ってたのでカレンダーポスターもらえました～🎵https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E3%81%97%E3%82%8D%E3%81%9F%E3%82%93?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#しろたん https://t.co/Lhf2i9Tppy">pic.twitter.com/Lhf2i9Tppy
— ちやん (@LqUWHeJx3VLaSql) https://twitter.com/LqUWHeJx3VLaSql/status/815463482376060928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2017
As if Sirotan wasn't cute enough already, last year he got a makeover into a certain Japanese New Year decoration. Check out the leaf, mochi and mandarin sitting on top of his head, completing his transformation into "kagami mochi"! As always, smaller items like hand towels and relaxing bath additives balance out the lucky bundle~
8. Kapibara-san's collab with Lotteria reaches new heights of cuteness~
カピバラさんの福袋
— よん (@DreamGoseON) https://twitter.com/DreamGoseON/status/945660699463659520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2017
もう袋がかわいい😆こまいぬ〜ん💕
ティッシュケースは紙製だけどコースターはプラスチック製
2000円分のチケット入ってるけどイラストがかわいくてもったいなくて使えない予感😅 https://t.co/WpMIdowPaO">pic.twitter.com/WpMIdowPaO
Fukubukuro are traditionally released on Jan. 1, but it looks like Kapibara-san couldn't wait that long to go home! Fast food restaurant chain Lotteria has collaborated with the gentle capybara for a 2018 lucky bag that's already been snapped up by tons of fans. With plenty of adorable illustrations of Kapibara-san dressing up as other animals, it's easy to see why!
9. Kanahei's Usagi and Piske are spending the new year with a deliciously cute little lion!
ミスドのゆるっと福袋買ってきました(*´◒`*)
— めぃ 🐰maison de repos (@repos_mei) https://twitter.com/repos_mei/status/945635535908872195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2017
トートバックめちゃかわなのです！ https://t.co/kUk9jdI0MY">pic.twitter.com/kUk9jdI0MY
Two delightful lucky bags for Kanahei's Small Animals and Pon de Lion's collab are also already up for grabs at Mister Donut stores in Japan. Both fans of yummy sweet treats and cute characters will be satisfied with this haul, with items like tickets that can be redeemed for a ton of donuts (what else?!), clear files and a calendar just in time for next year!
10. Enjoy the charm of Kuma no Gakkou before going back to school!
わーーーーい！くまのがっこうの福袋が届いたよ( 灬˙▿˙灬 )全部くまのがっこうって幸せ過ぎる☺️💕 https://t.co/lY6tZkkT0H">pic.twitter.com/lY6tZkkT0H
— とと (@MtomRdj) https://twitter.com/MtomRdj/status/813526327131140096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2016
You don't need to be a kid to enjoy goodies from popular Japanese picture book Kuma no Gakkou, or the bears' school! Plenty of items feature Jackie, who may be the littlest bear in the school, but is well-loved by her friends inside and outside the book~
Japan is already a veritable paradise for those who love cute characters, and fukubukuro season makes it even easier to get your hands on tons of merchandise at super low prices! Which character fukubukuro are you most keen to see?
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.