All About Japan

Bring in the New Year with Kit Kat

Sweets Holidays

Now there's a new way to say “Happy New Year!” with this lineup of special Kit Kat packages available at Japanese post offices until January 8, 2016.

Included with the special ¥135 Otoshidama Kit Kat is an envelope for otoshidama, the monetary gift given to children to celebrate New Year’s in Japan. It’s decorated with illustrations of plum blossoms, a traditional symbol of the season, but the other side of the box is just for 2016.

The fronts of the boxes are also specialized to reflect the New Year, since 2016 is the Year of the Monkey. From left to right, the monkeys above are cosplaying as: kagami mochi, the distinctively shaped rice cakes set out for New Year’s in Japan, Yebisu, the fisherman/god of prosperity/Ebisu beer pitchman, and maneki neko or good fortune cat.

Each box contains three mini Kit Kat packs individually enclosed in Year of the Monkey wrappers, a limited number of which are golden in color.

If you’re more into cute boys than cute animals, post offices in Japan have also started selling the newest version of the Kit Mail, priced at ¥250 , which is specifically for those taking entrance exams or job-hunting in the spring, and can be mailed as-is by attaching a ¥140 stamp. Covered with cherry blossoms in full bloom, one side of the box features space to write a persona message, while the four members of boy band Dish// grace the other.

After assembling the included hologram kit, placing it atop your smartphone will cause an image of the vocalists to appear as they sing their song “Klap” to cheer you on in your academic or professional endeavors.

Like the Otoshidama Kit Kat, the Kit Mail is currently available at Japanese post offices, and will be sold until March 31, 2016.

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Read full story: en.rocketnews24.com