Hello everyone, I am finally back once again with another SoKawaii box review. Now I haven’t done one of these since March, as due to the current Covid situation my boxes were delayed in Japan due to postal restrictions. So with the incredibly helpful people over at SoKawaii, who have found new means of shipping their boxes without using the regular Japan Post service, I have reached both my April and May boxes just days apart. So let’s get started shall we? Aprils’ theme was ‘Sakura Paradise’, which was timed perfectly with the cherry blossom season in Japan. So the items inside this box are all sakura and pink themed. With licensed items from Cardcaptor Sakura, Rilakkuma, Sanrio, Pokémon and Milky!
Lets begin with the usual description of who SoKawaii is and what they have to offer. SoKawaii is a company based in Japan, home of practically everything kawaii (Japanese for cute). They create monthly boxes, jam packed with 100% licensed products from Hello Kitty, Pokémon, Sanrio and more. The items range from plushies to Gachapon, little figures, stationary, lifestyle, kitchenware and more. The staff at SoKawaii handpicks 6 to 8 cute & useful items exclusive only to Japan, pack them up in a very decorative box and send it straight to your doorstep. You can also check out their Instagram for even more info and insights into what is currently appearing in Japanese arcades and stores. As well as sneak peeks into what they could be including in next month’s box. https://www.instagram.com/sokawaii/
First off we have our Sakura Cinnamoroll plush pouch. This adorable and super cuddly small to medium plush comes in a light pink tone, with sakura flowers embroidered around its head and lower torso. It comes with a keychain clip at the top of its head, so you can attach it to a bag. As well as a small zipper at the back of the plush’s head, with the tiniest pocket inside. Now I don’t see this being a useful item, just more of a decoration. As with such little room inside the pocket, you might only be able to fit a lip balm if you’re lucky.
Next up we have our Rilakkuma lap blanket. This soft blanket is decorated with many cherry blossom prints, surrounding Rillakkuma as he enjoys a traditional dango dessert. Now this isn’t a massive blanket by no means, but would be good to use as either a lap blanket or even a small picnic blanket. The only issue I have is that all the details regarding what fabric was used for this blanket is all in Japanese on the tag. No additional information was given on the leaflet inside the box either. Going by the pictures alone, it can be washed at 40 degrees. Just maybe don’t put it in a dryer.
Now onto our Cardcaptor Sakura item, where we received Kero-chan in a filled dome keychain. Now although the tag on the keychain pictures both Kero and Suppi, Kero appears to be the only option to be included in this months’ box. A bit disappointing as it is very rare to come across any Suppi/Spinal Sun merch. This keychain seems rather sturdy and comes with a good quality metal clip, so you can attach it to your keys or bag. That way you can always have the iconic Guardian of Light mascot over your shoulder as you travel. I would have preferred a more practical item instead of a keychain, as I am a big fan of the franchise.
Our fourth item is an official Pokémon Re-ment figure from this year’s new ‘Forest 4 Cherry Blossoms Sakura’ series. With six parts to collect to finish your tree, the characters include Pikachu and Hoppip, Torchic, Butterfree, Squirtle, Plusle and Minun, and Shaymin. I received the sleeping Torchic in my blind nox. Let me know in the comments below, which set you got?
Our exclusive Made in Japan item this month, is a bowl. With a deep red color painted inside the bowl and a black finish on the outside. It is all made even more decorative by a number of cherry blossoms painted on the outside. Now according to the leaflet inside the box, this item is dishwasher safe but can not be used in an oven or microwave. So be careful of that. Now this bowl appears to be more for decorative purposes, than tableware. As I don’t see any information on what paint was used on the bowl and is it food safe. Now I received a bowl similar to this a few months back from Nihon Box, but they clearly had the better quality product. As this bowl from SoKawaii seems rather cheap in comparison and looks like it just came off the shelf in a 100Yen shop (think Poundland/Dealz). At the moment, I’m using mine just to throw my keys in.
And lastly, as if to make up for the disappointment with the bowl. SoKawaii included chocolate in their box! Not just any chocolate, but some iconic Milky Chocolate with Peko-chan on the front. And to tie in with this month’s theme, its’ Sakura Pink flavor! This limited run item is only sold during Sakura season in Japan, and seeing as I am as far away from Japan as possible right now – this brings me joy! I am also amazed it survived the massive 9,500km journey without either breaking or melting! That is a win in my books!
So here is the price breakdown of the box each month and the savings you can get. Whether you subscribe month to month, or for their 3, 6 or even 12 month options. Depending on what option you choose, the cheaper the box is each month.
1 MONTH – $35.00/€31.77mo
3 MONTHS – $33.50/€30.40mo
6 MONTHS – $32.00/€29.04mo
12 MONTHS – $31.50/€28.59mo
Better yet, here is a 10% discount code that you can use on your first box!
http://sokawaii.refr.cc/maryhealy
Now if you liked everything you saw in this review of April’s crate, rest assured that the items are different every month. Each box has 6 to 8 items included and a few of them will be revealed online through SoKawaiis’ social media as the weeks go by. May’s box theme is “Cozy At Home”, which will feature goods from Rilakkuma, Sanrio and Pokémon, with a few of the products included already announced across their social media.
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This service also offers free shipping, but I do suggest spending that extra few coins to get the tracked shipping, so you can locate your parcel once dispatched. Especially during these unprecedented times, as with the extra few euros spent on shipping, you could get your box within a matter of days instead of weeks just like I did. So that is Aprils’ Sakura box done and dusted, I will be back again soon to show you what May’s box has in store!
