expression, noun
sudden windfall; unexpected piece of good luck
Idiomatic expression for an unexpected stroke of luck, often financial. Literally 'botamochi falling from a shelf', implying good fortune coming without effort.
See also: 牡丹餅
宝くじが当たるなんて、まさに棚からぼた餅だ。
Winning the lottery is truly a sudden windfall.
彼は棚からぼた餅のような幸運で、突然大金を手にした。
He came into a large sum of money through an unexpected piece of good luck.