
A giant, solid gold Star Wars calendar? Yep, and it’s just as insane as you’re imagining!
Ginza Tanaka made headlines around the world this week after revealing a one-of-a-kind solid gold Star Wars calendar commemorating the December 18 release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the newest installment of the franchise. The 2016 calendar is, according to the company, the largest gold calendar in history, with 10 kilograms (22.0462 pounds) of gold, and will cost 100,000,000 yen (about US$810,000). The whole thing, including the frame and stand, is 116 centimeters (about 3.8 feet) tall and will look completely normal stashed in a cargo hold in the Millennium Falcon.
▼ “Ostentatious” doesn’t even begin to cover it.
However, considering the current cost of gold as of this writing ($34,909 per pound), there is roughly $770,000 worth of gold in this calendar, so we do have to say that it’s actually kind of a reasonable price! And since it is a unique item, we imagine it might even grow in value…as long as future collectors don’t mind displaying an out-of-date calendar!
▼ Maybe they can get it re-engraved?
The back of the calendar also features a striking image of characters from the the upcoming movie. We couldn’t help noticing that they all appear to be from the dark side, though, which makes us wonder who exactly the target demographic for this item is…
Of course, even hardcore Star Wars fans may think twice about spending so much money on a calendar that will be out of date in 12 months. But what about something a bit smaller? Ginza Tanaka also offers one-gram (0.035-ounce) and five-gram (0.176-ounce) gold calendars that cost 15,000 yen (about $120) and 53,000 yen (around $430) respectively.
▼ The smaller calendars feature the same image on the back.
Ginza Tanaka also had a gold Darth Vader helmet on display, though it was not for sale, sadly. We can’t imagine how much it would cost, but we bet it would also look pretty awesome in a space smuggler’s cargo hold!
▼ Maybe they’ll make the rest of the suit for the next movie.
There were a number of other items on display, all of them as gloriously garish as you could possibly desire! For example, here we have a silver ear pick and silver toothpick in the shape of lightsabers.
The jewelry store also had some Star Wars-themed koban (oval gold coins used as currency in Japan during the Edo period). We doubt anyone would accept them as payment — or that anyone would even want to use these to pay for lunch — but they certainly do look cool!
The giant gold calendar will go on tour around Ginza Tanaka’s various locations in Japan, including stops in Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Shinjuku. It looks like the tour will last from now until February, so even if you buy it now, you probably won’t be able to start marking off the days until it’s out-of-date until the middle of February. But it would make for one hell of a Valentine’s Day surprise!
Reference: Ginza Tanaka
All images © RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]











Life-size gold Darth Vader mask is simply dazzling… and also worth US$1.4 million! 【Pics】
Star Wars fever continues — we try out Darth Vader boots from UGG’s Star Wars Collection!
Buy this Star Wars PC featuring Darth Vader’s ugly mug, impress your nerdy friends
If Darth Vader owned an iPhone, he’d probably keep it in a stunning wooden ukiyoe Star Wars case
A Solid Gold C-3PO, Other 35th Anniversary Memorabilia for the Ultimate Star Wars Fan Boy
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
What’s inside Japan’s super-rare, super-popular Nara bread?
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Kinotake Mother AI developed to study Japan’s divide between chocolate cookie snacks
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Japan named most sleep-deprived country for fourth year in a row, according to survey
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says