Things I have bought based solely on the packaging

I've always thought I was reasonably good (for a modern American child) at resisting the temptation of advertisements and alluring packaging.  I always try to buy things that are more practical and aren't just expensive cool packaging.  But, in Tokyo, I've fully abandoned the practice and am buying all sorts of things (OK, only a few, and they're still mostly only￥100) based at least partially on the packaging.

I've already showed you my new favorite drink, but here's another variety:

I've actually bought about four of these, I love them (read: the Seattle label) so much.  They're pretty good in the evening after a Japan style bath (a new addiction).

Moving on, we have another clear favorite: I think anyone who didn't know before now knows I love Thomas.  So how could I possibly pass this up?

AND LOOK! On the back! TOBY!  Jeff, if you're reading this, you better be excited.  This cheerful, if rather obsolete, brown character is the namesake of my (beloved) car, Toby.   Plus the top says 'A fun snack!', so I had to buy it.  (The back seems to be a story about 'Toby and the New Roof) It's basically just chocolate Pocky.  But with THOMAS.


This one is just rather funny, and pretty typical of Japanese English-language advertisements.  Some are more standard English like we might use, and some don't even make sense, but this one finds a happy medium:

I think what they mean is 'there's no accounting for me not buying this just to take pictures in the privacy of my apartment box'.  But it was pretty good.  I had it for breakfast yesterday.


Spring is arriving in Tokyo, and so cherry blossom are coming out in all the department stores and train stations.  I bought this in  huge discount store that sells everything from washing machines and baby socks to makeup and food, and it was a bit of a splurge at about ten dollars.  But it's so beautiful! I'm also rather fond of Sakura flavoured things in general, so it seemed worthwhile.

Sakura wine!  Notice the sakura blossoms floating toward the bottom.  I haven't opened it yet, but I'll try to remember to give an update.



BONUS: Strange Japanese thing that I didn't buy, despite the strange packaging (and product).  Behind the sakura wine was the rest of the alcohol section, and I went to see what the prices were like on the off-chance I could afford a beer (nope).  On my way back, I ran across this amazing creation:

I'm not even sure what this is, so I've dubbed it 'egg booze'.  Why anyone would want egg booze is beyond me, especially when it comes in a bottle like that.  You can see that the inside of the label gives many suggestions for use (for mom and dad and to share with friends) and the back has a helpful receipe (mix with sprite or fanta; wow!).  I'm still skeptical.  Perhaps it's similar to eggnog or something, but in my mind that is no improvement.  But even though I resisted this neigh-irresistible product, I seem to have fallen for most of the other advertising ploys I've encountered.  Oh well.  At least they're delicious.