
What could a lucky bag featuring one of the world’s most luxury brands possibly contain?
Seiji Nakazawa is one of our most versatile Japanese-language reporters. When he’s not channeling the spirit of Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen at interviews or trying to impress his hard-won girlfriend’s mother, he also has a posh side, like that time he dropped 10,000 yen (US$83) at Prada to see how far it would get him (not very far, as it turns out).
This time Seiji set his sights on another luxury brand, Armani, and in the spirit of the ongoing New Year’s 2019 fukubukuro “lucky bag” craze bought himself a bag valued at 32,400 yen ($298) from the Bakurocho branch of men’s clothing store Sakazen in Tokyo. Well, that’s certainly pricier than his colleague’s Starbucks lucky bag….
The fact that a lucky bag was constructed with Armani goods in the first place was a little unsettling to Seiji because of the gap between such a high-end clothing brand and the rather plebeian appeal of fukubukuro. Nevertheless, he was intrigued to see what awaited him inside. According to a flyer, there was supposed to be 50-60,000 yen worth of merchandise inside of the fairly nondescript-looking bag:
Upon opening it, he found the following three items:
▼ 1. A down jacket
▼ 2. A t-shirt
▼ 3. Boxer briefs
Seiji was excited to try on his new clothes, but abruptly realized that he didn’t own any other clothing that would coordinate well with Armani. His usual inexpensive, starving-musician-type outfits would only make the luxury brand look cheap. Undeterred, he decided that the best path to take would be to coordinate a look using only his three new finds.
Therefore, voila! Introducing Armani Seiji.
He immediately noticed a difference from the feel of the clothing on his bare skin — it was much softer to the touch than anything he usually wore. Also, maybe it was just his unconscious bias, but even the boxer briefs somehow felt incredibly elegant on his lower half. He could only chalk it up to the superior quality of Armani.
After a little bit, he realized that the pieces were having a magical effect on his mental state as well, making him feel incredibly posh and important. He never knew that clothes alone could affect his mood so much, but maybe this was why celebrities seemed to love the brand so much. It was as if he were hovering between a fine balance of boldness and sensitivity. Perhaps this was the true Armani effect.
Although it was his first time ever wearing Armani, Seiji could undoubtedly feel the Armani influence and felt like he could suddenly take on the world.
“What absolute refinement! The world is indeed beautiful,” he mused.
▼ Yes! Armani.
Before he knew it he had taken over 20 photos while modeling his new garb. Despite the high price tag of the lucky bag, he was absolutely thrilled with the contents and will probably go back for another one next year.
Images ©SoraNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]










【Lucky Bag Roundup 2017】Mr. Sato and his crew model 12 outfits from this year’s GAP fukubukuro
Animate Akihabara releases a lucky bag for the first time in years, and it’s amazing
Ikea fukubukuro lucky bag gives us 10,000 yen worth of goods for 3,000 yen
Uniqlo Japan’s lucky bag creates chaos at Tokyo store
McDonald’s Japan’s 2023 fukubukuro lucky bag first disappoints then redeems itself
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Start saving room now – Japanese grocery store’s biggest sushi roll yet is coming for Setsubun
Here comes a new katsudon: ice cream katsudon?!?
Japanese Internet debates sure-fire way to catch a cheating lover and/or make them hate you
“25 Potential Culture Shocks from around the World” infographic offers tidbits of travel wisdom
Japan’s snack of almonds and whole fish might not be for everyone【Taste test】
Why does Japanese writing need three different sets of characters? (Part 1)
Mist descends upon Japan’s “Killing Stone” after ceremony to appease nine-tailed fox spirit
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Japanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
420 million yen in cash-filled suitcases stolen on Tokyo streets, incidents at Haneda and Hong Kong follow
Japan’s suicides fall to lowest recorded number ever, but one demographic hits all-time high
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
We find a legendary anime weapon in an extra-awesome Akihabara lucky bag【Photos】
Lucky Bag Roundup: Our reporters choose the best fukubukuro of 2015
【Lucky Bag Roundup 2017】We celebrate the New Year with a bag full of Godiva chocolates
The Starbucks fukubukuro: One of the rarest lucky bags in Japan
【Lucky Bag Roundup 2017】IKEA packs 14 kitchen items into their fukubukuro for 17 bucks!
【Lucky Bag Roundup 2017】Starbucks Japan satisfies coffee cravings with special fukubukuro
【Lucky Bag Roundup 2017】IKEA bed & bath bundle gives us $50 worth of goods for just 17 bucks!
McDonald’s Japan has a fukubukuro lucky bag that everyone wants to get their hands on
Starbucks Japan fukubukuro lucky bag brings us merch and coffee to kick off 2019
Yoshinoya’s fukubukuro lucky bag is part box, part beef bowl, but is there anything to eat?
Village Vanguard’s most expensive Black Lucky Bag sets an ominous tone for 2026
Contents of Starbucks Coffee’s 2015 lucky bag REVEALED!
Chiikawa lucky bag required a four-month wait, but was it worth it?【Photos】
Mr. Sato gets his heart broken by a 2019 Akihabara Junk Shop Lucky Bag
Starbucks Japan lucky bag is the most hard-to-get fukubukuro of the New Year
Leave a Reply