Japan Post Otoshidama: Winning!

Some of you readers out there may know what otoshidama is, but for those who aren’t aware, otoshidama is a Japanese New Year’s tradition where adults place money into a small envelope and give it to children and young adults (typically, those from extended family). You can see how these little gifts could easily push a person into “favorite aunt or uncle” status, but Japan Post offers something to “sweeten the deal” for otoshidama offerings.

Normally one would find otoshidama envelopes in all manners of stores, including 100 yen shops and conbini, and they run the gamut in terms of design (though the size and shape always the same). Having been the lucky recipient of otoshidama for many years, I can say that I never cared about what was on the envelope—what mattered was inside...until Japan Post came up with this gem of an idea a couple of years back...

...Affix the otoshidama envelope to a box of kit kats.

What!? Now a kid gets money and chocolate at the same time? Favorite uncle status, here I come...

The other neat thing with these is that they cleverly have taken the “Year of The Dog" theme and thrown in a bit of traditional Japanese culture offering the following mashups of pups and ancient deities :

- French Poodle Daikoku

- Chihuahua Benzai

- Shiba-inu Ebisu

You can find these at any JP throughout Japan, and they’ll run you 140 yen.