Imperial Palace Wallet Returns After Six-Month Hiatus, Moves to Online Lottery System from June

(Central News Agency, reporter Dai Yazhen, Tokyo, 11th) The 'Imperial Palace Wallet,' which was suspended from sale last December due to excessive popularity, is set to return in a new format. The operating foundation, the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Kikuyo Cultural Association, announced that it will trial an online lottery sales system starting in June. However, each person can only apply once per month and purchase one item per application, so a buying frenzy is still expected. The 'Imperial Palace Wallet' is a range of leather goods, including coin purses and long wallets, sold at shops within the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. They are handmade from pure cowhide. Considered lucky charms from the Imperial Palace, a famous power spot, and reasonably priced, they became a sensation on social media last year, leading to long queues. At its peak, the queue before opening reached about 1,000 people, putting immense pressure on order and staff, leading to the suspension of sales at the end of last year. According to Nippon TV, to avoid a repeat of the queue chaos, the Kikuyo Cultural Association decided to introduce an online lottery system. From June, the public can participate via the association's official website. Winners can then purchase the items at the shop during a designated period. The trial sale will offer four types of products: clasp coin purses (7 colors), long wallets (9 colors), crocodile-embossed long wallets (7 colors), and small coin purses (9 colors). Each applicant can only apply once per month and is limited to one item. The first lottery will be for July's allocation, with applications open from June 12 to 20. Applicants must pre-select a week in July to pick up their item. Winners will be notified around the end of June. The association stated that this trial sale will not offer online payment services. Winners will receive a unique QR code to present at the store for purchase. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card. The Kikuyo Cultural Association indicated that it will evaluate the results of this trial to determine the specific method for a full-scale resumption of sales in the future. It also hopes that visitors will come to the Imperial Palace not just to buy wallets, but to deeply experience its history and culture. (Editor: Zhang Zhixuan) 1150611