NihonBox is a Japan-based monthly box filled with the best and original goodies from JAPAN! Each box includes 7-10 items from the otaku and traditional Japanese culture like Japan-exclusive figures, plush toys, collectibles, food, as well as Japanese lifestyle accessories!
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: NihonBox
The Cost: $33.49 a month + $5.50 shipping
ACTIVE DEAL: $3 off your first box!
CODE: ILOVENIHONBOX
The Products: 7-10 items from the otaku and traditional Japanese culture
Ships to: Internationally
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There is an info booklet included each month.
The first part of the booklet has a short synopsis about this month's goodies and why they were chosen.
Unfold to see detailed info about all of the items!
The back teaches you different cultural goings on in Japan, and this month talks about summer.
Now let's get to the contents!
Tenugui Matsuri
To break down this term, "Tenugui" are traditional Japanese fabrics that can be used for a myriad of things from wrapping gifts to decoration, and "Matsuri" refers to Japanese festivals. Put it together and you have this super fun festival scene, complete with "Mikoshi" (aka portable temple), on a 35" wide by 14" high cloth.
I was delighted when I started to notice a lot of Japanese characters I recognize through the scene! There's Pikachu, Doramon, Totoro, and various Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli friends, just to name a few!
How many can you spot?!
Matsuri Garment full of sweets -
How cool is this little drawstring pouch?! It's 9" tall by about 8.5" wide (including sleeves), and best of all is stuffed with five different snacks to try!
Yes, please!
Shittori Ichigo
These crunchy puffs are crazy good and packed with sweet strawberry flavor!
Ramen Babaa
I love ramen, so these salty and crunchy dried noodles are my favorite of the snacks included! I love the cartoon granny on the package, chowing down!
Umaibo Tonkatsu
I've gotten similar items to this in other Japanese snack boxes, and have to say I'm not a huge fan. They're popular because they are cheap and quick to eat on the go, but the flavors are usually too weird for me.
Mochi Taro (Fried Rice Snack)
I couldn't not photograph the whole package here because it's so darned cute. I really love the animals on the back. These are friend rice snacks and are super tasty! There's a few peanuts in there too! The weird thing is that I'm familiar with both mochi and taro, and these are neither of those things, so I think the booklet has a mistake? Unfortunately, that's the only English available to me, so I wouldn't know how else to find these. Feel free to comment if you know what these are!
Fugashi
This is a similar consistency to the Umaibo Tonkatsu, but it's super sweet instead of savory. The puffy cake is coated in black sugar. Other than the sweetness, there isn't much flavor to the cake part.
Kracie Matsuri Kit - Value $3.89? (similar linked)
I'm not sure how I feel about DIY candy. I know it's super popular, but I think I'd personally rather just be able to eat the candy as soon as I buy it.
Here is the cute package that will become a sort of placemat for your food!
So many packets!! Thankfully- I watched this youtube video so I could tell how to do all of this! It took me at least 20 minutes...
Here are the finished products! Chocolate covered bananas, candy apples, corn on the cob, and french fries! Phew!
Fūrin Made in Japan - Cat - Value $12? (based on searching similar items online)
I'm so happy I got this pretty cat chime!! It's so chubby and cute! Paw print banner!
These fūrin's are apparently synonymous with Japanese summer, and I can't wait to hang this near my front door and here it ring when the wind blows.
So delicate, yet well made. 🙂
Japanese Mascot Charm - Fukka from Fukaya, Saitama
I yearn to live in such a land in which the cities have cute mascots, but am stuck here in the US with flags and state birds. Sigh. Fukka (or Fukkachan) is the mascot of the city of Fukaya in the Saitama Prefecture.
I've already done far too much research for this one item, so I will keep it short and tell you that his hat says "Fu" which is short for his name and that those are spring onions on his head, which are a specialty of Fukaya.
He is seemingly a white rabbit with green overalls which his little white tail pops out of. Too cute! This charm is made of a sturdy soft rubber and is about 2 1/4" tall, toe to scallion.
Gachapon Strap Boruto - Value $4.90? (linked to similar)
This it a "blind box" item that comes in a plastic ball like one you'd get from a gumball machine. It features one of eight characters from the manga "Boruto" which is the sequel to "Naruto". I'm not sure which character I got here, but they all seem to be chibi versions. Very cute! This is also a soft rubber that is about 2" high.
Pikachu Bottle Cup
Nex, we have a super cute plastic Pikachu cup that easily stacks on top of you favorite bottled beverage.
It probably looks better on a chubbier bottle, but still works on this skinnier-necked one.
When you get thirsty, just turn the cup over and fill!
Yep- it even has Pika's tail on the other side!
And of course his name in case you forget!
Kinchaku Kirby Bag
This has got to be one of my favorite items from the box! Kirby is turning 25 this year, and has always been one of the cutest video game characters! Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland was one of favorite Gameboy Advance games, so it's great to see him again in this squishy soft bag form!
Once filled, he's like a stuffed animal! Look at his big feet and tiny little flappy arms!
The bag closes with a pink drawstring at the top.
He opens quite wide at the top, so you can really stuff him full!
Futon for Smartphone - Osomatsu-san - Value $3.99? (linked to similar)
I lied! This is my favorite item! It's a futon...for your smartphone. I wasn't familiar with Mr. Osomatsu until googling, but I am loving his poses on the cover of this package! So daper!
Shhhhh- do not wake my phone while she is sleeping. She works very hard for me each day and needs to rest.
I'd like to think that there was at least one meeting in which they discussed if there should be two little pillows, or just one long pillow. I'm happy with their decision.
Here's the selection that I could have received. I'm very pleased with the design I got!
Verdict: NihonBox was so fun to go through! I got 8 items (if you include the ouch the snacks came in), plus five snacks, and a DIY candy kit for a total of $38.99. It was tough to find prices on almost all of the items, so you'd have to dig deep to see if you think these items are worth it! I love my cat fūrin, my pikachu cup, and my smartphone futon! I also can't wait to gift the Kirby bag to my friend who is a Nintendo superfan! This box had SO MUCH in it that I think it's worth it.
What do you think of NihonBox?
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