The JIMOTO Made "Engimono Charm," sold at three stores in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward since February 2020, has been introducing zodiac-themed items in limited quantities and for a limited time since 2022. Starting on December 13, 2024, the traditional "Koto Hajime" day that marks preparations for the New Year, the 2025 zodiac item will go on sale.
2025 Engimono Charm: "Zodiac Bell for the Year of the Wood Snake"
The zodiac for 2025 is "Wood Snake" (乙巳, Kinoto-Mi). To celebrate, a new "Engimono Charm Wood Snake Zodiac Bell" will be added in limited quantities and for a limited time.
In Japan, snakes have long been regarded as deities of fertility and weather. The "white snake," in particular, is considered a messenger of Benzaiten, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, making it a highly auspicious symbol. This handcrafted bell, featuring a white snake adorned with a Starbucks-inspired green pattern, is designed to ward off evil and bring good fortune and blessings.
Product Name: JIMOTO Made "Engimono Charm Wood Snake Zodiac Bell"
- Price: ¥2,700
- Sales Period: December 13, 2024 (Friday) – February 3, 2025 (Monday)
- Available At: Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Gion Hotel Store / Keihan Gion-Shijo Station Store / Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya Store
- * The displayed price includes tax.
* Sales will end once the product is sold out.
* Limited to one item per person per store until sold out.
What Is the Kyoto-Exclusive JIMOTO Made "Engimono Charm" by Starbucks?
The "Engimono Charm" was developed in collaboration with Shimada Kōen Doll Workshop, a traditional doll maker established in Kyoto in 1859 and renowned for producing Gosho dolls. This charm takes inspiration from the "Fukudama," a cherished cultural tradition in Kyoto’s Gion district, blending it with the artistry of the traditional Gosho dolls.
A "Fukudama" is a round, red-and-white ornament filled with auspicious tokens. It has traditionally been given by geiko and maiko to teahouses or loyal patrons at the end of the year as a token of gratitude or a New Year's gift.
It is said that after the New Year's Eve temple bells ring, people would open the "Fukudama" and use its contents to predict their fortune for the coming year.
JIMOTO Made "Engimono Charm" Comes in Three Types
Inspired by the Fukudama, the "Engimono Charm" lineup includes the Gosho Ningyo Charm Haiko, the Engimono Charm Komainu Bell Charm, and the Maneki Neko Bell Charm in Black, White, and Calico. Each piece is placed inside an original Fukudama capsule.
What’s unique about this product is that until you open the capsule, you won’t know which "Engimono Charm" is inside—adding a fun, fortune-testing element.
Gosho Ningyo Charm Haiko (*second from the right in the photo)
The Haiko doll depicts a crawling infant, a traditional Gosho Ningyo figure believed to ward off misfortune and act as a protective charm. Its chubby appearance represents health, while the red decorative knot on its head symbolizes good fortune.
Engimono Charm Komainu Bell Charm (*center in the photo)
The Komainu (guardian dog) is a charm for safe childbirth and prosperity in children. It is also a popular talisman for women's protection. Bell charms have long been treasured in Japan as amulets and symbols of good fortune. The Komainu Bell Charm produces a pleasant, soothing sound.
Engimono Charm Maneki Neko Bell Charm (*leftmost: Calico, second from the left: White, fifth from the left: Black)
The "beckoning cat" is a widely recognized talisman for attracting good fortune in business. The raised left paw, higher than its head, is said to invite people from afar, symbolizing the creation of human connections.
White: Invites purity and beauty. The white cat is thought to embody cleanliness and purity, nurturing happiness.
- Black: Invites financial prosperity. The black cat is associated with attracting profits due to its dark coloration.
- Calico: Invites happiness. Male calico cats are extremely rare, symbolizing their power to bring great fortune.
What Makes the "Engimono Charm" Special
The "Engimono Charm" is an exclusive collaboration between Starbucks and Shimada Kōen Doll Workshop. The Haiko and Maneki Neko Bell Charm feature Starbucks' signature green apron, while the Komainu Bell Charm is adorned with plum blossom patterns in Starbucks green, symbolizing happiness and good fortune. Each charm comes with a wooden tag engraved with the names Starbucks, Shimada Kōen (the maker), and Higashiyama (the local community), showcasing the connection to the region.
Where to Buy the "Engimono Charm" in Kyoto
The Engimono charms inside the Fukudama capsule come in five varieties, but the available items differ by store. The Haiko and Komainu Bell Charm are available at all three locations. However, each store offers a unique Maneki Neko Bell Charm:
- Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya Store: Black Maneki Neko Bell Charm
- Kyoto Gion Hotel Store: Calico Maneki Neko Bell Charm
- Keihan Gion-Shijo Station Store: White Maneki Neko Bell Charm
Each Fukudama capsule also includes a sticker with a unique senshafuda (traditional name slip) design specific to each store, making it a one-of-a-kind Starbucks Fukudama.
About Shimada Kōen Doll Workshop
Founded in 1859 in Kyoto, Shimada Kōen Doll Workshop specializes in creating traditional Japanese dolls. Renowned for their Gosho Ningyo, each piece is handcrafted with great care by skilled artisans.
Gosho Ningyo dolls are characterized by their plump figures, snow-white skin, and a charming yet dignified appearance. Historically, these dolls were given as gifts by the Emperor to princes and princesses, as well as treasured as New Year's gifts. During the Edo period, they were even sent as return gifts from Kyoto’s Imperial Palace to feudal lords who had presented offerings.
- Official Website: https://kouen-kyoto.jp/
What is Starbucks’ "JIMOTO Made" Series?
The "JIMOTO Made" series was created to celebrate the local industries and materials of different regions in Japan. These products are only available at local stores, reflecting a commitment to valuing regional industries and the people who support them. Launched in 2016, the series aims to deepen customers' appreciation and pride for local cultures, industries, and communities through these unique items.
- Official Website: https://www.starbucks.co.jp/jimoto/
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