Sheep-shearing and puffer fish among items in Japan’s New Year lucky bags

Major Japanese department stores will sell fukubukuro lucky bags in their New Year’s sale next year, with many featuring frozen foods and gourmet ingredients.

The focus on food reflects department store operators’ aims to generate interest in their products as a proposed cut in the consumption tax rate on food next April is expected to boost demand for dining at home.

Stores are also offering sheep-themed food and experiences because 2027 is the Year of the Sheep in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle.

Takashimaya has prepared a ¥20,270 ($126) bag containing 30 servings of frozen foods, including its store-brand sweet-and-sour pork and hamburg steaks, along with a 121-liter freezer.

The company will also offer a ¥2,027 set consisting of lamb meat and a grill for jingisukan, a mutton barbecue dish. Both offerings will be available to five customers each through a lottery.

Matsuya will sell 200 lucky bags containing items worth up to ¥27,000 at its Ginza store in Tokyo for ¥5,000 each. The items will include crab and puffer fish, as well as meal vouchers.

At its Asakusa store, Matsuya will offer 10 lucky bags for ¥5,500 each, containing ¥3,000 worth of vouchers redeemable at its basement food hall and two vouchers for lunch at nearby restaurants.

Tobu Department Store will sell 10 lucky bags for ¥10,000 each at its Ikebukuro main store in Tokyo and its Funabashi store in Chiba Prefecture. Purchasers will have the opportunity to experience shearing sheep and other activities carried out by animal keepers at Tobu Zoo in Saitama Prefecture.

The Funabashi store will also offer a lucky bag that allows customers to experience herding sheep at Mother Farm in Chiba.