A Lucky Bag You Must Get for Japanese New Year
Lucky bags are an essential item for Japanese New Year. You can't miss out on the lucky bags from major department stores and famous brands.
The contents of a lucky bag are often worth 30% to 50% more than the purchase price, and some are even worth more than 70%. The excitement of not knowing what's inside is one of the attractions of buying a lucky bag.
Lucky bags are a New Year tradition and part of a strategy to welcome the new year with a fresh feeling. They also serve the purpose of getting rid of old products and making space for new products. Japanese people value starting the new year with new and clean things, and lucky bags are a symbol of this.
It is said that the sale of lucky bags began at Matsuya Department Store in Ginza towards the end of the Meiji period. Other department stores later adopted the idea, and now many stores sell lucky bags.
The contents of a lucky bag usually consist of products from the store or related items, and they range in price from a few hundred yen to tens of millions of yen, or even hundreds of thousands of yen. For example, it is not uncommon to see long lines of people waiting for lucky bags at popular stores such as LaForet Harajuku, Shibuya 109, the Apple Store in Ginza, and Bic Camera.
In response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, lucky bags themed on earthquake prevention supplies and energy-saving products were sold during the New Year holidays in 2012. In this way, themes are sometimes set according to the social situation of the year.
Lucky bags are usually sold from January 2nd to 3rd every year, but some stores may start selling them from January 1st. Those who want to buy them should check the sales date and time in advance, and be prepared to line up from early in the morning at popular stores. Some stores display the contents of the lucky bags before they go on sale, in order to increase purchasing desire.
If you visit Japan during the New Year holidays, be sure to experience buying a lucky bag. The excitement of lining up and getting your lucky bag will be a special memory. However, it is important to plan your actions carefully, as long lines are expected at popular stores.
We have explained in detail the appeal of lucky bags and how to purchase them. Lucky bags are an important part of the culture of the Japanese New Year, and by knowing their value and how to enjoy them, you will be able to have a more fulfilling stay in Japan.
