Department stores unveil 2018 “Fukubukuroˮ lucky bags

November 6, 2017

TOKYO- Japanese department stores have unveiled their "fukubukuro" New Year's lucky bags for 2018, including many packages that offer experience-based programs and "instagenic" products.

Sogo & Seibu Co.'s flagship Seibu department store in the Ikebukuro district of Tokyo's Toshima Ward will sell an exclusive fukubukuro for one couple to charter a Seibu Railway Co. train for a wedding as they travel.

The fukubukuro will be priced at 2,018,000 yen, including the cost of meals for the bride, groom and 24 guests.

Takashimaya Co. will offer a 2,018-yen fukubukuro that will give buyers a chance to play shogi, the chess-like traditional Japanese board game, with Masataka Sugimoto, teen shogi star Sota Fujii's instructor.

Selling a fukubukuro for eating and drinking at a famous high-end club in the posh Ginza district in Tokyo's Chuo Ward is Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.'s flagship Mitsukoshi department store in the Nihonbashi district in the same ward.

The fukubukuro, which comes with a kimono and a haori jacket for men, will be priced at 324,000 yen.

For customers looking for opportunities to take photos for sharing on Instagram and other social networking services, Matsuya Co.'s Ginza store will offer an uncured whole-leg Iberico pork ham with a knife for 216,000 yen.

Another eye-catching offer is the NAO humanoid robot to be sold as a fukubukuro by Takashimaya at 2,018,000 yen, including costs of program support services.

The NAO, which can talk and dance, was developed by a Softbank Group Corp. subsidiary. Jiji Press