Customers return to department stores for New Year's sales

The fukubukuro lucky bag sales area is crowded with customers on Monday at Matsuya Ginza in Chuo Ward, Tokyo. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

With freedom of movement no longer restricted due to COVID-19, department stores were as busy as in pre-pandemic years when their annual New Year's sales started Monday, packed with people shopping for fukubukuro lucky bags and other items.

About 2,500 people lined up in front of Matsuya Ginza before it opened at 10 a.m. in Chuo Ward, Tokyo.