One thing to look forward to for New Year’s? The first sale of the year, and the much-loved “fukubukuro”! With the whole city leaving the days of 2015 behind, all the stores already seem to be putting their stuff out on sale. But remember, the deals get better.

We won’t be surprised if you spend a little too much during this season and find yourself broke early on in the month – it’s pretty much expected. So here’s a guide to where the sales treasures are hidden in our favorite town, Harajuku!

New Year’s Shopping in Japan 101: Fukubukuro

So what is this New Year’s essential, you’ve been hearing about?

Fukubukuro: translating to a bag (bukuro) of luck (fuku) in Japanese, is a big bag of surprises in a nutshell — filled with a concoction of items that are relatively pricy if you bought them on their own. Stores roughly give you an idea of what’s inside (tops, bottoms, bags, etc. and their size of course) but usually, they don’t  give away any other details such as the color/design.

Despite the fact that you don’t get to choose your item per se, what’s so great about this is that you can get the bag for, say, ¥10,000 – whilst the stuff in it could perhaps amount to ¥30,000 if you bought each item separately. What a bargain! Needless to say the excitement of opening up the bag and finding out what gems you’ve got hiding in there is incomparable to your usual shopping experience.

Now onto conquering the shopping gems of Harajuku!

If you want to be first in line to know what the upcoming trend is going to be, all you need is to do is drop by Laforet in Harajuku. One thing we’re looking out for is the Selfie Fukubukuro. Who doesn’t take selfies anymore? This bag is set to be filled with tops that’ll conveniently fit into that selfie frame. The first ten that make it in line will also get a selfie stick to come with it.

You’ll also find bags where you can see what’s inside (!!!) called the Mieru/Eraberu Fukubukuro. Now we’re talking.

Laforet Harajuku

1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Hours：11am-9pm (No holidays)

※January 1, 2016: 9am-7pm

http://www.laforet.ne.jp

■ Dip into a traditional Japanese New Year’s with the Yushima Shiraume Drum Performance

January 1, 2016　9am~/11am~/1pm~

January 2, 2016　11am~/1pm~/3pm~

Hello Kitty, Snoopy, Rilakkuma, you name it! You’re guaranteed to find them all in this wonderful playground that runs by the name Kiddy Land. 2016 marks their 70th anniversary, and they’ll be running a Monthly Character Event starting January 1.

The event will kick off with a give-away of the above plate with their mascot character – Paan with his horn – drawn on it, for purchases over 2,000yen. (Plates are limited; needless to say the early you come, the better.)

KIDDY LAND Harajuku

6-1-9 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Hours: 11am-9pm (Mon-Fri) / 10:30am-9pm (Sat, Sun, Holidays)

※January 1-3, 2016: 10:30am-8pm

http://www.kiddyland.co.jp/harajuku/

If you want to dress, walk and talk like a Harajuku fashion icon, make SPINNS your first stop. Their Fukubukuro dresses you from top to bottom — the bags are arranged by style so it’s all up to you — do you want to go pastel girly or simple casual? They range in 12 different styles that’ll dress you up, proper Harajuku style. Popular styles will sell out quick, so head over early if you know what you want.

SPINNS Harajuku

Iberia Building B1F,6-5-3, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Hours: 10am-9pm

※January 1, 2016:　10am-7pm / January 2-5, 2016: 9am-9pm

SPINNS no. 2 Harajuku

Patoria Building B1F, Jingumae 1-9-18, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Hours: Weekdays 11am-9pm / Weekends & Holidays 10am-9pm

※January 1, 2016　10am-7pm / January 2-5 9am-9pm

SPINNS Harajuku Takeshita Dori

CUTE CUBE HARA 1-7-1, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Hours: 10am-8pm

January 1, 2016:　10am-7pm / January 2-5, 2016: 9am-9pm

http://www.spinns.com/

Up until January 14, you can visit this cafe for beauty and party purposes. The JILL STUART Beauty & PARTY CAFE will be up and running at the pop-up space on the 3rd floor of Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku. The cafe interior painted all in white is sure to make you feel like you’re having a ball. Need a sweets fix? Get fancy at JILL STUART Beauty & PARTY CAFE this winter to satisfy that sweet tooth of yours.

JILL STUART Beauty & PARTY CAFE

Location: Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Hours: 11am-9pm (L.O. 8:30pm) Open all days until scheduled date

※January 1, 2016: 10am-7pm (L.O. 6:30pm)

http://www.jillstuart-beauty.com/ja-jp/shop/party/cafe/

Discounts galore at WONDER PHOTO SHOP Harajuku! If you need any form of identification ready with the graduating season coming our way, that’ll be 30% off for you. Buy two yearly albums and get one free (until the end of January), and the place is filled with other splendid discounts! They’ll also be making available a Cheki Fukubukuro (polaroid fukubukuro) at a price of ¥10,000. Don’t miss this sweet deal.

WONDER PHOTO SHOP

Location: 6-29-4, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Hours: 11am-8pm (11am-6pm on 2nd and 4th Thursdays)

※ Closed during January 1-3, opens from January 4, 2016

http://wonderphotoshop.jp

Keep in mind that many stores will be closed during the first three days of the year — even if they are open, chances are the operation hours differ from their regular hours. Be sure to ask Google all about it before you set off on your shopping escapades! Hope you all have a wonderful kick-start to your New Year’s!

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Interview: MoMo（SHUTTER）