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日本語/Japanese  Sun 01/06 23:12 JST
A "Fukubukuro" [福袋[ふくぶくろ]] is a bag full of goodies that goes on sale all over Japan from the 1st of January. "Fuku" means "fortune" and "Bukuro" (pronounced "Fukuro" on its own) means "bag."
15000 people queued up outside a department store in Ikebukuro to get their hands on one.

The tradition of the Fukubukuro goes back to the late Meiji period where it was invented by the Matsuzakaya department store in Ginza (source.)

The bag is sealed and the person buying one doesn't know whats inside. Its usually filled with stuff that the shop couldn't get rid of the previous year - but nobody would buy them if they were called "Shite-we-couldnt-get-rid-of-bag." So what store owners do is put a highly valued item inside some of the bags - brand name items which make some of the bags worth buying.

There have been spinoff bags called Fukoubukuro [不幸袋[ふこうぶくろ]] meaning "bag of misfortune" where the contents are literlly full of shite - example here ^^;

Are you a new years sale junkie? Did you buy anything nice or end up with a load of crap?
Categories
Polls
syrix in U.S.
student
Registered on 2007/03/21 09:30
I never did any New Years shopping, especially after Christmas Day.  Parking at malls are pretty bad about two weeks before Christmas and about a week after when all of the sales are happening.  Too bad not many game retailers or anime stores around here have huge sales during that time, I would brave the parking if they were.
(ID #68859) Posted on 2008/01/06 23:10
Nathan in Atlanta, GA, USA
student
Registered on 2007/08/22 22:03
This is why I buy most of my stuff online. The prices are competitive even when things in the stores are on sale because there's no sales tax online. Although going out and browsing for stuff can be fun, this kind of mad crazy sales are usually not worth all the trouble.
(ID #68860) Posted on 2008/01/06 23:20
XSportSeeker in Brazil
Hikikomori
Registered on 2007/08/22 05:30
I am, but it isn't because of New Year's Sales, or stuff like that.

The stuff I buy doesn't get cheaper during new year anyways.

It's because I spend new year in São Paulo, where most of my family lives.

So I usually go shopping for stuff I couldn't, or didn't buy during the year... this year was clothing.

Also, it's when I go to my favorite (and probably the only one in Brazil) store that sells imported japanese anime magazines and artbooks.

This year I spend a lot... Robot Color Comic 6, Animage, Dengeki Daioh, Megami Deluxe... etc etc etc.

I also bought some figures this time. Weren't the ones on my priority list, but were good enough. ^^

More than I can expect buying in Brazil...
(ID #68861) Posted on 2008/01/06 23:45
Rikku in ロリランド
フレイム ヘイズ
Registered on 2007/11/04 12:12
ROFLMAO at the link Danny gave for a bag full of shite.. なんじゃ、コリャ!
If people already knew that most of the bag is full of shite, why would they bought them anyway?? Not to mention the price isn't cheap at all!
Sure if you're really lucky you might get expensive/great stuff, but most of the time you end up getting crap..
This makes me wonder what the heck are they thinking, or probably people just love gambling.
(ID #68862) Posted on 2008/01/06 23:53
e-jump in Malaysia
Test Engineer
Registered on 2007/12/22 21:34
Looks like an adult version of gashapon dispensers LOL (you pay for something, not knowing the content). At my place, similar activity would be called 'tikam'. But no, we dont have shops doing FukoBokuro.
(ID #68863) Posted on 2008/01/06 23:54
radical anime fan in Dai-Singapore-dan. Hotter than Kamina and Lelouch combined.
Polytechnic Freshman. Mmm... fresh.
Registered on 2007/01/25 21:20
when you said "literally full of shite" i thought it was full of the substance of human waste.

i seldom buy stuff during the new year; too busy deciding what to throw out for Chinese New Year to bother with new ones.
(ID #68864) Posted on 2008/01/07 00:10
OMNI Strike in Glasgow, UK
In my last year of High School
Registered on 2006/12/25 02:24
lol power cables. 
i would have liked to go and get a few thigns in the sales but i just didn't find the time unlike my brothers.
(ID #68865) Posted on 2008/01/07 00:18
FatBastard in over his head
Meat Puppet
Registered on 2007/11/04 18:16
We sorta have something like that, but its not big annual thing like Japan. You'll sometimes see it at a store sale. It's called a 'grab bag', but it doesn't usually sell as people here like to know what they are buying. Crap or not.

The first queue looks like mostly women. Probably designer stores. The second indoor one looks mostly men. Tenga cup sale? I don't want that Fukubukuro.

Hey Danny, you or you wife every buy these bags? Every get anythin good?
(ID #68866) Posted on 2008/01/07 00:20
seasidebreeze in Yokohama, Japan
Engineer, apprentice(?)
Registered on 2007/12/19 20:59
Ive never seen Fukoubukuro. Full of power cable inside...its indeed misfortune bag XD.
(ID #68868) Posted on 2008/01/07 01:00
Kaori Lolita in Singapore
Student Nurse
Registered on 2007/04/19 02:56
I got a few fukubukuros from various gothic lolita brands, & thankfully for me, the contents inside are what i've been wanting for a long time..! ^_^ original cost of the contents would be around 45,000yen but i got it for only 15,000yen :D
(ID #68869) Posted on 2008/01/07 01:03
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
If you ever wonder if I am an impulsive -type consumer, I'd gladly respond to you with a "You got the wrong number". ^^
Thus an obvious no from me.
(ID #68870) Posted on 2008/01/07 01:05
Benjamin Takeyo in Lieu de la batille decisive
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Registered on 2007/12/04 23:16
Fukubukuro... I read a funny thing about it in Kobo-chan, a 4 panels manga http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1696

The story goes like this: Tabata family has just arrived back at home from their new year shopping at a department store, and they bought a fukubukuro along with them. And then the grandfather of the house asks the wife,"Sanae, what is in the fukubukuro?"

Sanae Tabata answers,"A very good pair of children clothings." The grandfather then said,"that's wonderful!" Sanae responds,"yeah but.."

They then move to the room where Kobo has already worn the clothing from fukubukuro.. which makes them laugh very hard since the clothing is for girls! While Kobo is a male..

Too bad that clothing was a very good one... (probably a brand name one).. if only they have a daughter ^_^
(ID #68872) Posted on 2008/01/07 01:12
Henry in Makati, Philippines
anime/cosplay events organizer
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:17
that's a nice marketing strategy. *takes notes*

this is a learning experience that i can apply in the future ^_____^
(ID #68873) Posted on 2008/01/07 01:14
lostandfound in a UFO... catcher...
Part human, part student, 100% loser
Registered on 2007/10/22 02:10
When you said the bag of misfortune where the contents were full of shite, I thought of expired food, fish heads, rotten vegetables... But the contents were safer than I thought...
(ID #68874) Posted on 2008/01/07 01:25
Sabar in Singapore
Waiting for National Services
Registered on 2007/08/22 12:54
I have never come across this kind of bag before...lol, the things contain in it are power cables...I don't think I will be trying out the luck haha... ^_^
(ID #68876) Posted on 2008/01/07 01:53
G-Unit in Earth, Asia, Malaysia
Student
Registered on 2007/12/25 11:09
lol.. a bag full of cables.. xD
(ID #68880) Posted on 2008/01/07 02:08
tsukishi69 in Lima,Peru
Student
Registered on 2007/04/17 22:14
we don´t do that shoping over here...evrything jus turn to normal since the prices for x-mas get high XD
it would be a nice idea to that..... 
(ID #68881) Posted on 2008/01/07 02:11
ait_meijin in サイベリア
IT-オタク
Registered on 2007/02/04 19:58
It looks like japanese people have a great love to queeing in lines. There's o power on earth to make me stand in such a long queue, I'll be bored to death ~_~
(ID #68882) Posted on 2008/01/07 02:34
gordon in 新加坡 Singapore
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
Registered on 2007/06/11 14:57
i wonder why would anyone buy the bag in the first place? ('~')
(ID #68883) Posted on 2008/01/07 02:37
Edward in Michigan U.S.A.
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Registered on 2006/12/24 12:02
Not a New Year sales junkie, but I usually do go shopping.  In Florida I would sometimes find spring clothing on sales.  I stay away from the "Shite-we-could-not-get-rid-of-all year".  It's amazing how obsessive they are about shopping here.  Many where still going at it when I was in the bookstore today. ^^;  They expect everything to be on sale.

Wow I see a few guys in that line.  I have seen some good women shoppers in my time, but I truly believe it is written into the genetic code of Japanese women. ^^;

Hahaha! Fukoubukuro bag!  I need to look for one in the future.  Knowing my luck I would get an IOU for power cables! ^o^  No no, I have gotten some nice stuff in Fukubukuro before.  How about you Danny?
(ID #68886) Posted on 2008/01/07 03:53
laughingman in Canada
McMaster Engineering Student Fall 08
Registered on 2007/11/18 11:58
Yo Danny; I never knew you storm troopers were good with the ladies :p
Maybe next time you can give me some tips ^_^;!

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/9141/n101400673300284965629ya7.jpg
(ID #68887) Posted on 2008/01/07 04:56
Soshi in Singapore
Student
Registered on 2007/09/15 21:29
Fukubukuro wins at life! I'm a total fukubukuro junkie, though not many are available online. In most cases, the stores don't ship internationally so it's a no-go for Japan-based fukubukuro. I'd love to hit Akiba for some techie fukubukuro though. 
(ID #68890) Posted on 2008/01/07 06:33
hendrik in jakarta,indonesia
student
Registered on 2007/06/01 04:39
this fukubukuro thing, can u touch and check them without seeing (konata skill, check it from weight and sound of it, maybe texture by touching)?

or u have to point which bag u choose in the cashier and buy it? 
(ID #68891) Posted on 2008/01/07 07:10
pireze in Australia
Online editor
Registered on 2007/12/29 21:57
Yep, I was researching Fukubukuro just a few days ago on yahoo japan, looking at the stuff which is in the bags, and I must say most look like trash I wouldn't get. :)
(ID #68892) Posted on 2008/01/07 07:15
Setsuna-san in Selangor, Malaysia
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
Registered on 2007/07/06 10:07
Not a new years sale junkie unless it involves anime stores.
(ID #68893) Posted on 2008/01/07 09:54
Evil King in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands, Earth
Student and full-time otaku
Registered on 2007/12/19 00:24
I'm not actually a new years sales junkie...at least I wasn't until this year when I spent like a fortune on figures...hope it's not the start of a new habit @.@
(ID #68894) Posted on 2008/01/07 10:14
shunny in planet earth
pilot of gundam shunny
Registered on 2008/01/06 21:47
cool! I wish i live in japan
(ID #68898) Posted on 2008/01/07 12:50
shunny in planet earth
pilot of gundam shunny
Registered on 2008/01/06 21:47
i don' t know japanese.
can u teach me?
(ID #68899) Posted on 2008/01/07 12:54
Soturi in Finland, Espoo
Unemployed Java programmer
Registered on 2008/01/06 22:05
I'm not at all, but if I had the money I would go buy some nice gadgets/camera things. ^^
(ID #68902) Posted on 2008/01/07 13:50
Sakari in Tokyo
Student
Registered on 2007/06/20 01:24
I think the time is worth a look in the shop. I got myself a great new jacket! yay!
(ID #68905) Posted on 2008/01/07 16:28
pudding22 in Boston, USA
Registered on 2007/12/07 07:20
I wouldn't call the Fukoubukuro full of shite, I could use some of those cables!

I lost mine for my old, old laptop, and those are the kind I need!
(ID #68906) Posted on 2008/01/07 16:29
Ben-Ohki in Ottawa - Canada
Programmer
Registered on 2007/12/03 11:30
I'm not huge on post-x'mas shopping but I do like to keep my eyes peels on-line for deals on stuff I've been too distracted to get during the year.

Also, my brother and I usually meet back at my parents house and we'll hit the local gaming shop who has a tradition of putting up some crazy prices on the 26 of December every year. They'd be an awesome candidate for putting up Fukubukuro packages!! :)
(ID #68909) Posted on 2008/01/07 18:39
Quentin aka Q in Hong Kong
Registered on 2008/01/07 04:35
Fukubukuro... Something hardly ever mentioned outside Japan. I only remember its existance recently on the news.

I'm usually constantly stuck on what I want to buy, so I normally end up not buying much at all, but it can happen anytime during the year.
(ID #68911) Posted on 2008/01/07 19:39
Alexis in France, Paris
Bboying dancing
Registered on 2008/01/07 05:49
I'm french, and I love your blog ! so interesting ^^
(ID #68913) Posted on 2008/01/07 20:52
Registered on 2007/12/27 16:45
Yeah, not so sure Fukubukuro is something I'd get into.  I suck at contests and such, so I just know I'd wind up paying too much for a bag full of crap that I don't want or need. >_<  No nifty goodies for Lord Huggington...
(ID #68914) Posted on 2008/01/07 20:56
JapanAnime in Hilversum, Holland
Student Business Economics
Registered on 2007/08/05 18:23
I LOLed when I saw the content of the fukoubukuro...the people who bought that fukoubukuro certainly have no lack of cables now. =P
Back on topic, I'm not a new years sale junky at all and probably never will be. I don't think there are a lot of new years sale junkies in Holland, since stores here always have a hard time to sell their stuff in January.
(ID #68915) Posted on 2008/01/07 21:46
Chong Mizunaga in an Afro
Afro-ed Student
Registered on 2007/12/15 09:57
I wouldn't get any fukubukuro. ^^;

Firstly because I don't like spending money (I'm quite a bit of a miser), and secondly, because the stuff inside.. don't look too useful to me =S
(ID #68916) Posted on 2008/01/07 22:41
lin-da-kenobi in Long Beach
college student
Registered on 2007/08/16 02:56
there's no way i'd buy that
(ID #68943) Posted on 2008/01/08 02:06
Dedale in S'pore after France
Labyrinth builder
Registered on 2007/12/04 17:28
I think it is a great idea... for the shop. Coz from the customer point of view, I feel it is a too gig risk !

Is there any category ? Or at least, does it go with department ? 
Otherwise, you may end up with a bag full of extra cable, a pan, or an ugly T-shirt for a 6-year old boy ^^ 
(ID #68957) Posted on 2008/01/08 05:01
Wolfblitz in Pretoria, South Africa
Senior Software / Systems Developer
Registered on 2007/11/02 16:10
lolz at the Fukoubukuro. They didn't even make it an assortment of misfortune :p

I think there will always be people buying Fukubukuro, just like there will always be people buying lotto tickets. It's the same thing, just in a different form.
(ID #68960) Posted on 2008/01/08 06:12
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
People, I don't think there would be products in putrefaction or feces in Fukubukuro. Why?
Because what you get as a "consolation prize" is generally crappy and stinky enough compared to the price that you waged (Pun intended). ^^
(This is at least true from what I saw)
(ID #68990) Posted on 2008/01/08 15:42
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
Wolfblitz, I agree with you and at least you win something...
The thing is what. lol.
(ID #68992) Posted on 2008/01/08 15:44
blauereiter in Tokyo, Japan
CG artist, Sunrise Emotion
Registered on 2007/07/07 22:02
15000 people ? Now that's really something !
(ID #69108) Posted on 2008/01/09 10:20
大十字九郎 in 高天原
ニート
Registered on 2008/01/09 03:57
日本語で書き込みtest

このサイトはどういったところですか?
(ID #69161) Posted on 2008/01/09 19:02
•LµŠ†• in Singapore
Student
Registered on 2007/02/10 15:13
i'm sure this would be popular in Singapore, cos Singaporeans love to queue up (sometimes for no apparent reasons) and are avid bargain hunters
(ID #69263) Posted on 2008/01/10 16:20
xxa.v.bxx in Savannah/Statesboro, Georgia
Middle Grades/ESOL Major (Student)
Registered on 2008/01/18 06:19
I'm not big on surprises...so I don't think that I would like fukubukuro very much.
...but cables do come in handy, so I could reconsider, depending on my level of need.
(ID #70101) Posted on 2008/01/18 21:47
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