YumeTwins Review January 2022

YumeTwins is a Japanese subscription full of kawaii or licensed character items from popular brands. Each box will contain cute plushies and squishies, stationery, bags and pouches, accessories, or daily practical goods straight from Japan.

They kindly sent us this box for review.

Subscription Details

The YumeTwins subscription costs $37.50 per box on a monthly plan. There will still be cost savings for longer term prepaid subscriptions. Subscriptions on 3-, 6-, and 12-month prepaid plans will cost $35.50, $33.50, and $32.50 per box respectively. Shipping cost varies depending on the available shipping courier for each country.

Each monthly box will still include 5-7 items to give you an experience of Japanese culture through everything kawaii. The box promises to include stationery, household and lifestyle goods, and character items. YumeTwins will also include YumeTwins Originals (these will be items designed by the YumeTwins team) and YumeTwins exclusive collaborations with brands like Sanrio to the subscription. They will also be featuring single brand or character boxes.

The January YumeTwins theme is “New Year’s Wish”, and includes items that represent the time of renewal and fresh beginnings with the season. The box features items from traditional Japanese ways that are meant to bring hope and luck into the new year.

The accompanying booklet contains 19 pages packed full of information on each item in the box, stories behind the items and how to use them, and background stories about Japanese culture inspiring the box.

This month’s articles describe the custom of Hatsumode – the first visit to a shrine in the new year. I loved all the pictures and accompanying information about how to perform Hatsumode, meanings behind each rite and item, and shrines you could visit to experience the festivities.

Let’s take a closer look at all the items included!

YumeTwins Exclusive Cinnamoroll Kagami Mochi Plushie

The plushie this month is another YumeTwins exclusive! This soft, cuddly, and adorable plushie features Cinnamoroll doing an impression of kagami mochi, a decoration in Japanese homes in late December. Mochis are an important part of New Year’s celebrations in Japan, and the word ‘kagami’, meaning mirror in Japanese, is used to describe the two identical mochi stacked atop each other and signifies the coming and going years. The orange atop the mochi symbolizes familial continuation since the word for orange sounds like the word generations in Japanese.

Ghibli Lacquer-Style Bowl

This cute Studio Ghibli bowl features characters from Spirited Away (my favorite Studio Ghibli film!) on an ocean wave pattern that symbolizes peach and good luck in Japan.

Hello Kitty Illuminated Crystal Ball

This is a cute crystal ball with a color-changing Hello Kitty inside it. Subscribers could receive one of six variations that each represent a different aspect of Japanese folktales and myths. I got Cherry Blossom Kitty, a symbol of new beginnings and hope. Still photos simply fail to capture how bright the LED illumination really is! It is really bright and pretty in person with all the changing colors.

YumeTwins Original Ema Decoration

During Hatsumode, people will write their wish or goal for the new year on an ema plaque at a shrine. This version features a design inspired by traditional horse art but with a twist of having a unicorn in its place. How adorable!

I Heart Japan Animal Magnet

Subscribers could receive one of eight magnets that each feature a cute animal enjoying must-visit sights of Japan. On mine, a pair of birds and a monkey are enjoying the hot spring baths.

YumeTwins Review January 2022 – Final Thoughts

Another amazing box! I loved how all the items this month fit in with the theme, and loved learning all about Japanese customs and traditions around the new year celebrations. Everything in this box is super adorable! I loved the magnet for sticking on notes and photos on my refrigerator, the cute unicorn ema decoration, and the Ghibli bowl. The Cinnamoroll plushie is too cute for words too! I always enjoy seeing how YumeTwins includes cute character items to fit each theme, and this month’s box did not disappoint as usual.

Toby & Rocket – http://www.tobyandrocket.com