“Fukubukuro at Ala Moana Center has become an annual retail tradition in Hawai‘i for local shoppers and a number of return visitors,” said Matthew Derby, director of tourism and public relations for Ala Moana Center. “Many are extremely pleased by the quality of the surprise merchandise inside the bags, and the amazing value of the bags makes the Fukubukuro experience even more enjoyable.”

Ala Moana Center’s annual Fukubukuro event began in 2004, inspired by Japan’s widespread New Year’s Day event which attracts hundreds of thousands of people hoping to cash in on the first big sales and best deals of the year. Similarly, Fukubukuro at Ala Moana Center attracts hundreds of excited shoppers who line up at their favorite store hours in advance, eager to get their hands on at least one of the highly sought after bags at an unbeatable value. Shoppers should plan to arrive early, as most of the bags sell out shortly after stores open. Ala Moana Center will be open on Jan. 1 from 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Ala Moana Center’s Fukubukuro bags contain merchandise valued at twice the amount that they are sold for (a bag selling for $1,000 would contain at least $2,000 in merchandise at full retail value), and all bags are sealed to prevent shoppers from knowing the contents until they are opened. Ala Moana Center’s Fukubukuro bags are available for one day only, on New Year’s Day. Each participating store will offer a limited number of bags, which will contain a variety of products from that particular retailer. Bags will be available while supplies last, and all sales are final on Fukubukuro merchandise.

For more information about Ala Moana Center, visit www.AlaMoanaCenter.com.

Alfred Dunhill, Animation Magic, Aveda, Baccarat, Bally, Bag ‘n Baggage, Betsey Johnson, Cathedral Gift Shop, Crabtree & Evelyn, Diesel, Disney Store, Fendi, Folli Follie, GNC, Gucci, Hawaiian Quilt Collection, J.Crew on-the-Island, Le Grand Marqet, LeSportsac, Locals Only, L’Occitane, Lupicia Fresh Tea, MAX&Co., Maui Divers, Metropark, Miss Sixty, Neiman Marcus, Pacific Harley-Davidson, The Pacific Place Tea Garden, Philip Rickard Factory Showroom, Philip Rickard Honolulu, Ponte Vecchio Hotta, Salvatore Ferragamo, Shanghai Tang, Silver Rhino, Spiral Girl, Swatch, Thinker Tots, Thinker Toys, Valerie Joseph, Vera Bradley, Vim ‘N Vigor, The Vitamin Shoppe, W Salon, and Wolford Boutique.

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