June 15, 2026
TOKYO – Leather wallets sold at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are officially back on sale following a monthslong hiatus triggered by overwhelming demand at the end of last year.
The leather accessories, which feature the iconic Imperial chrysanthemum crest, became a viral sensation around spring last year, with people affectionately dubbing them “Imperial Palace wallets.”
Social media buzzed with rave reviews praising their “exceptional quality at reasonable prices.” By November, the hype had escalated to the point where long lines were forming outside the East Gardens well before opening hours, causing significant logistical difficulties.
In response, the Kikuyou Cultural Association, the public interest foundation that operates the palace shops, suspended all over-the-counter sales of leather goods on Dec. 22.
The highly anticipated return features 32 variations across four items, including long wallets and gamaguchi clasp-style purses, with prices ranging from ¥1,200 to ¥5,000.
To prevent a return of the crowds, an online lottery system has been implemented, with applications open through June 20. Winners will be notified via email by the end of June. However, because the items are strictly intended as “souvenirs of a palace visit,” winners will need to pick them up in person at the shop.
The foundation said it will evaluate the results of the online lottery and decide whether to stick with the system in the future.