Fukubukuro: This means bag of joy. Here's the thing: for new year's sales some department stores offer a large sealed bag full of merchandise at dramatically cut prices. The only trouble is that you don't know what you are getting or if it's going to fit. A bit of fun marketing? Well maybe but there's always someone who takes it too far and so, last year, high-class Jewellers were offering fukubukuro at around 1m pounds which is half the price of the watches included. Phew! They also (I'm just copying the article here) contained a voucher giving you the opportunity to star in your own movie, complete with premier night. I had my eye on a bag of random cheeses from Japan's premier cheese shop. This year you can even get a house in your bag (you have to provide the land to put it on)


What next? Gordonsgonetojapan suggests carpet cleaning services, surgical operations, pets and socks.