Mary Bowerman

USA TODAY Network

Now McDonald's chicken nuggets really are worth their weight in gold. Well, at least one nugget in Japan is.

McDonald’s Japan is offering customers the chance to win an 18-karat gold chicken nugget.

As part of a new summer promotion, the company is encouraging people to tweet photos of a nugget thief dubbed Kaito Nuggets, also known as Phantom Thief Nuggets. According to a statement, nugget-lovers can participate in the contest by posting photos and tweeting clues about the nugget-snatcher's whereabouts, with the hashtag ＃怪盗ナゲッツ, which means Kaito Nuggets in Japanese.

According to the McDonald's Japan, Kaito Nuggets will be popping up when least expected this summer.

“Kaito Nuggets appears in some McDonald’s restaurants through Japan to hunt the ... great tasting sauces … or he will throw out a ceremonial first pitch in a professional baseball game,” according to the statement. “He will appear every here and there.”

Those who participate have the chance to win a gold nugget or a free ticket for a five piece chicken nugget.

Follow @MaryBowerman on Twitter.