I’ve talked many times on this blog about the need people have to experience Japan without being in the country. In fact, I’ve even written an entire post dedicated to the subject.
My findings from all the research I’ve done since I created this site, were that the best way to experience Japan without leaving home is to immerse yourself in the culture. And what better way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture than with a cute Japanese subscription box!
P.S Keep reading to the end of the post to have the chance to win a free box in the competition!
What is Kawaii Box?
Kawaii Box is a curated monthly subscription box that is filled with stereotypical ‘cute’ Japanese products. Each month you can expect to receive 6-8 of these items which may include: Plushies, Stationery, Squishies and Toys, Bags and Pouches, Candy, Keychains, and Accessories. Quite a few options!
We already know there’s a huge selection of people who love the ‘Cute’ Side of Japan, so it only makes sense that there’s a huge market for it in the subscription box world. From what I’ve seen so far, Kawaii box certainly has the monopoly on it in this field.
What was in my box?
The best way for you to decide whether Kawaii Box is the right Japanese subscription box for you is probably to see inside one. So, let’s have a look inside the box they sent me!
The packaging
Let’s be honest, anytime a box arrives at your door, it’s likely an exciting moment. …Or perhaps I’m just a bit weird like that…
Haters aside, I’m never going to be disappointed with a colorful and on-theme box like this one, it’s the perfect start to an unboxing experience.
As soon as we open the box up, the fun theme and cute drawings are continued. Obviously, you shouldn’t buy something for the unboxing experience alone, but it definitely goes a long way to improving my outlook on it from the very beginning.
After lifting off the tissue paper, we’re presented with our very first look inside the box. And, what looks like a box of very yummy chocolate snacks!
The Products
There were a few less products than I was expecting to see in the box, but the vast majority of them were actually really nice.
The bowl and the tin case were two of my favourite, and something I can see myself using on a daily basis. Obviously the contents of the subscription box change monthly, so it’s likely you’ll have your favourites each month as well!
Happy Time Tin Case
This is my favorite product from the entire box. It’s fun, colourful, and right on theme! Not only that, but it should appeal to anyone who receives it because of it’s practical use. I doubt many people will be disappointed with another cute Japanese way to store bits in.
If you can read some simple Japanese, you’ll notice that the box says ときめきおかし, which translates (I think) to something like “Exciting Sweets”. Basically, it’s the ideal little tin to use for sweets, and it will certainly take up prime position on my desk!
Sumikko Gurashi Adventure Bowl
The Sumikko Gurashi Adventure Bowl is another one of my favorites from this box. It might only be plastic, but you can still fit a big scoop of rice in there.
Those beyond-cute characters you can see on the side are designed by a Japanese company called San-X. Among the characters on display are a polar bear who hates being cold, a happy garden weed, a furoshiki cloth, a penguin who doesn’t know if he wants to be a penguin, a timid cat, a dinosaur pretending to be a lizard, and a pork cutlet.
Until I did the research for this article, I had never come across these adorable creations. Now I consider my knowledge of them one of the best things that’s happened this week! …maybe I need a more interesting life… Ha!
Blippo Sweetness Overload Chopsticks
Always nice to have another set of chopsticks, of course, though these were a little underwhelming. To the right people (and those who have no chopsticks) I think it would be a welcome surprise, but that wasn’t entirely the case for me. There isn’t anything wrong with them, but they certainly weren’t my favorite thing in the box.
Nigitte! Nyanko Plushie
This little guy is an extremely cute Japanese cat, and another one of the items that has found its way onto my desk. And yes, before you ask, I will be needing a bigger desk!
He also has a squeaky toy inside, so if you’ve got a dog you can pretty much say goodbye to it the moment you get it out! 😉
Amuse Characters Candy Marker
Next up we have the POTE USA LOPPY Candy Marker from Amuse. Amuse is a well known Japanese plushie toy maker, and this item incorporates some of those designs on the side of a highlighter pen.
Unfortunately, the top of my marker was slightly damaged, making it unusable. I don’t really use marker pens anyway, but if you are a student and love cute Japanese things then I would imagine this is right up your street!
Cinnamoroll Cafe Crisp Choco Snacks
Finally, we have the Crisp Chocolate Cornflake Snacks. They’re a fantastic surprise that I certainly wasn’t expecting from kawaii box, and they look flipping tasty!
Unfortunately, I can’t try them due to diet restrictions, but I can only imagine how good they were!
I mean, who doesn’t like chocolate cornflake cakes!?
Price
The price of kawaii box depends on how you chose to pay for it. This comes in the form of three choices; monthly, every 6 months, and once a year.
The cheapest way to pay is for the entire year at once which works out at $24.90 per box, not a bad price for what you get, in my opinion.
The 6-month and monthly plan come in at $27.90 and $29.90 respectively. The monthly plan reaches the upper limit of what I would be prepared to pay for the box.
It’s easy to think you don’t get that much for a relatively steep price, that’s exactly what I thought when I opened the box. However, what you have to realize is that the products inside are likely pretty hard to get a hold of, and that’s just how much they end up costing.
Plus, you do get free shipping which is a nice added bonus. And that’s to the entire world which is even better.
Final Thoughts – Is it worth it?
For me, the price of Kawaii box and the items inside probably wouldn’t be something I’d subscribe to. That’s not because it’s a bad product, it’s just not the part of Japan’s culture I’m most interested in.
However, would I recommend it to other people? Absolutely.
If you fit into that very niche demographic of people that love cute things, pink things, cuddly things, kawaii things, and Japanese things, you’ll get your money out of this subscription box, and then some.
So while it might not be for me, Kawaii box will absolutely appeal to a small, yet an engaged group of people. If you do happen to buy it, I’d recommend going for the 6 month or year subscription if you can afford it. It’ll save you a fair bit of money in the long run!
Giveaway
Time for the fun part! Kawaii Box have been kind enough to let me do a free box giveaway to my readers, all you have to do is enter.
So, if you want to be in with a chance of winning your very own Kawaii Box, signup and enter below. I’ve got my fingers crossed that Catbus makes an appearance soon!
You’ve got absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by entering, so stop reading this, and start filling in your details below! 😉
A Day of Zen x Kawaii Box Giveaway
