At the start of the new year in Japan, it’s customary to enjoy Osechi Ryori (おせち料理), a traditional Japanese New Year feast.
Osechi Ryori is easily recognizable by its special tiered boxes called juubako (重箱), which resemble bento boxes. These juubako are often stacked before and after serving, adding to their visual appeal and practicality.
This year, we decided to pre-order our Osechi Ryori. With many options, we went for the Pokémon-themed Osechi Ryori, priced at 12,650 yen (approximately $81.52 USD).
The Pokémon-themed Osechi Ryori presents a vibrant array of authentic Kyoto-style New Year dishes, all neatly packed into a two-tiered Poké Ball juubako. This unique set features 23 items, each contributing to the festive spirit. It includes blueberry mochi, matcha roll cake, and a crab-flavored kamaboko cheese roll, alongside traditional favorites like datemaki, nomaki kamaboko, and demi-glace hamburg. There’s also chestnut kinton, a cheese-filled patty meat roll, and kinoki ninjin—carrot prepared with raw vinegar.
To further enhance the experience, the box offers more dishes such as soy sauce-pickled salmon roe and a colorful trio of rolls made with chicken, carrot, gobou, and runner beans. Other highlights include celebration shrimp, young peaches in syrup, and a sweet-boiled cherry blossom-shaped radish. Kombu roll, salted herring roe, and pickled gobou add a savory balance, while kinkan fruits in syrup and sweet black beans provide a touch of sweetness. The feast includes Shouchikubai skewers, tazukuri (candied dried fish), and strawberry cream daifuku. Each dish perfectly blends tradition with a creative twist, making this Pokémon Osechi Ryori a unique and festive New Year treat.


I’m Jake Caprino, who is more commonly known by the online alias Swaps4. I’m a business owner based in Japan. I enjoy writing about anime, video games, and bits & pieces of Japanese culture.