Whether you are into Ghibli merch, rare perfumes, or super niche stuff no one else gets, there’s a shop out there with your name on it. (Left: Image by @sasamichan111. Right: Image by @missthuhoai.official.)
One profound part of travelling is shopping for precious keepsakes. A special kind of magic exists in the moments where you stumble upon a shop that seems to be built just for you and your secret little obsessions. With a little bit of help from us, you won’t have to look so hard for those special moments while you’re globetrotting—you’ll know where to go in advance!
Special edition vinyl dolls, rare fragrances, or even that vintage Biba coat you once saw in your favourite movie? Believe it or not, there are cool stores around the globe catering to your niche interests.
Film & TV memorabilia
Larry Edmunds Bookshop, California, USA
A safe haven for historical Hollywood enthusiasts and cinema buffs alike, this cool spot in LA was founded way back in 1938 and has called Hollywood Boulevard its home since 1955. There is much to appreciate here if you’d go ballistic for anything cinema-related, but the stars of this iconic bookshop are the impressive bundles of movie and TV show scripts available for purchase.
Address: 6644 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, United States
It’s A Wrap!, California, USA
Fashion on screen can be so chic; sometimes you wish you could grab it right out of the TV for yourself. Surprise, surprise—you can do just that at this one-of-a-kind thrift store in California. From Jane the Virgin to NCIS, there are charming pieces from different major productions’ wardrobes up for grabs.
Address: 3315 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505, United States
Dolls
Junie Moon, multiple outlets in Japan
In the midst of the Labubu and Sonny Angel hype, there’s also been a resurgence in popularity for the whimsically wide-eyed, ball-jointed dolls known as the Blythe dolls. We wouldn’t be surprised if any of you out there have also gotten hooked on this train. If that’s the case, Junie Moon is the place for you to find a perfect addition to the collection of your dreams.
Address:
Daikanyama, Tokyo (Flagship): 1F, Suzuen Daikanyamai Building, 4‑3 Sarugaku‑cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Harajuku, Tokyo: AG Jingumae 1A, 4‑25‑3 Jingumae, Shibuya‑ku, Tokyo
Osaka: 1F, Nakazawa Karaki Building, 1-14-26 Minami-Horie Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi Osaka
Geppetto’s Workshop, Victoria, Australia
This Pinocchio-inspired toy store is certainly a bright hidden gem in the heart of quaint Sassafras. While there are different kinds of cheerful companions here, Geppetto’s Workshop specialises in puppets in all forms and sizes. The store is perfect for anyone who grew up obsessing over Sesame Street, if you ask us. Fun shopping tip: Try to find a puppet that matches your name!
Address: 371 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, Sassafras, Victoria, Australia
Broadway
Theatre Circle, New York City, USA
Stocked with rare playbills, scripts, show posters, and even cast recordings, stepping into this warm, cosy shop feels like being invited into Broadway’s backstage archives. Whether you found true love for theatre in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton or have had Hadestown and The Phantom of the Opera on repeat at karaoke, this spot will steal your heart (and wads of cash from your wallet).
Address: 268 W 44th St #1, New York, United States
Broadway Up Close, New York City, USA
Just a few blocks away from Theatre Circle is another must-visit shop. However, this isn’t your typical souvenir shop. Here, you can take interactive walking tours with Broadway performers-turned-tour-guides who’d share juicy behind-the-scenes secrets, within the rooms where it all happened. There’s nothing like the chance to feel like you’re part of a grand show for one short day in ‘The City That Never Sleeps’.
Address: SE corner of 45th Street & Broadway, Times Square, New York, United States
Studio Ghibli
Donguri Republic, multiple outlets in Asia
Donguri Republic is a shrine for everything Studio Ghibli, with locations across Asia, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, China, and Japan. With every turn in the shops, you’ll find yourself exclaiming, ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’. Everything feels like it was plucked from a Hayao Miyazaki dreamscape, overflowing with merchandise like plush Totoro pillows, music boxes that play Laputa lullabies, and everyday items like chopsticks and teapots.
Address: Multiple outlets
Ghibli Museum Mamma Aiuto! Store, Tokyo, Japan
A trip to Japan for any Studio Ghibli enthusiast would be incomplete without a visit to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. While you’re there, make sure to stop by this charming store. If Donguri Republic is Studio Ghibli’s cosy front porch, this store would be their treasure vault—only accessible with an entrance ticket to the Ghibli Museum. Items sold here are museum exclusives, so mementos bought here will feel a touch more special.
Address: 1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0013, Japan (inside Ghibli Museum)
Perfumes
ViinRiic Galeries de Parfums, multiple outlets in Vietnam
ViinRiic is a true collector’s stop, and for good reason. Any outlet of this upscale boutique is not just a regular bustling tourist spot—you have to make an appointment for a consultation. Sounds exclusive? It is very much so, as the perfumes they carry consist of limited-run fragrances and over 30 international niche perfume brands. In short, this is not a touch-and-go kind of experience, but that’s what a perfume collector’s obsession is all about, right?
Address: Multiple outlets
Sens Unique Parfumerie, Paris, France
This is where scent becomes secret. Exuding old-world charm, Sens Unique takes its patrons through the allure of intimate perfumeries, where expert staff guide you through bottled scents with rare stories. Similar to ViinRiic, they specialise in niche lines you would not find in your average mall—Parfumerie Générale, Huitième Art, Susan Tabak. Personalised boxes (Box Perso) are available, which are custom sample sets tailored just for you, based on a questionnaire you fill out.
Address: 13 Rue du Roi de Sicile, 75004 Paris, France
