Location: No. 45, 4F, Shinjuku Plaza
Telephone: (02) 2370-4650
Blink! (金光閃閃大小妞洋行)
Blink! is just one example of the many stores in Shinjuku Plaza that pay homage to Japanese fashion subcultures. In this case the shop is inspired by the kawaii styles of Takeshita Street in Harajuku and advocates the fashion philosophy of remixing (混搭), which encourages people to act as their own stylists.
Fans of the Japanese magazine Vivi, whose hyper-feminine aesthetic emphasizes gamine-like layered looks, will feel perfectly at home at Blink! — the shop is painted in several hues of pink, and vintage My Little Pony toys figure prominently in the decor. Cute-as-a-button shop owner Olive Wang (王心美) works with buyers in Japan who send back a colorful selection of T-shirt dresses with oversized stripes, polka-dotted pink blouses, madras drop-waist jumpers, purses with cartoon characters or giant metallic bows, and fanciful shoes (most apparel is NT$2,000 or less). A colorful selection of tights and socks (NT$390 for hosiery from Japan; patterned tights by American brand Celeste Stein are NT$780) are available to complete your look. Blink! is open from 3pm to 9pm; credit cards are accepted.
Location: No. 6, 5F, Shinjuku Plaza
Telephone: (02) 23890-0308
Right On (小古著衣部)
Shinjuku Plaza offers several stores dedicated to men’s clothing for guys who don’t feel like sharing their shopping spotlight with the ladies. Right On features a large selection of jeans in a variety of cuts and washes, most of which are imported from South Korea, as well as T-shirts and polo shirts. The casual, hip style of the clothing appeals to a younger crew; shop owner Ryan Lin (林士程) says most of his customers are between the ages of 15 to 30. Jeans are priced upwards from NT$1,380, winter jackets range from NT$1,000 to NT$4,000, and shirts are NT$1,000 and less. Shop hours are from 2pm to 10pm; credit cards are accepted.
Location: No. 16, 5F, Shinjuku Plaza
Telephone: (02) 2389-8701
Bella Nails (Bella日式藝術指甲)
If you want to leave Shinjuku Plaza with some brand-new body art but want something a little less permanent than a tattoo, check out Bella Nails. Nail artist and owner Bella Chiang, who studied nail art in Taiwan, Japan and the US, can use acrylic powder in a rainbow of colors, rhinestones, decals, small charms and plain ol’ nail varnish to create three-dimensional flowers, bows, lace patterns and cartoon characters on your digits. Manicures start from NT$300 and can go upwards of NT$2,000 depending on the complexity of your design and the materials used; Bella says designs usually average around NT$1,500. Pedicures and foot treatments are also available for NT$700 and up. Hours are from 1pm to 10pm and credit cards are okay with a minimum purchase of NT$1,000. Make sure to call in advance for an appointment.
Location: No. 33B, 5F, Shinjuku Plaza
Telephone: (02) 2388-0240
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