LOOKING GOOD
In store - Tokyo' coolest shops

Compiled by Mayumi Sato

Cosmo Space
The late '70s New Age boom in the West didn't hit Japan until the mid-1980s, when this store with a marketing savvy enticed Harajuku teenage girls with more pop and promising images of so-called "power stones." Tying up with fortune-telling magazines, manager Kozo Shimura acknowledged the healing/channeling energies of mineral stones nationwide. Soon the young women lining up for pretty and lucky stones were joined by adults and pro-sports celebrities.

The revamped Cosmo Space displays 1500 kinds of minerals from all over the world on the first floor, either crude, polished or made into jewelry. This store not only has the biggest inventory and variety, but offers stones for 20-30 percent cheaper than its counterparts. On the second floor are soothing CDs, spiritual books, etc. Made-in-US herbal medicines, Edgar Cayce's holistic oils and Bach flower essences are recommended to improve your health from deep inside. On the third floor, various counseling is available by appointment. Reishi or aura-reading sessions are provided with MRA, channeling and tarot cards. The aura camera reads the information from your palm and produces an image of your past, present and future energy with different colors. A henna artist will paint your body as a means of therapeutic ritual. Whether it's all legit is up to you.
3-22-11 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3470-5181.

4000 European buttons and beads are on offer at L. Musée Photo byMayumi Saito

L. Musée
This store will inspire DIY fashion and interior aficionados. More than 4000 kinds of European buttons and beads are on display. One shop houses a modern collection, while the other one a few blocks away stocks a century-old antique collection and dead stock from the 1940s-60s. Czech-glass beads and artistic buttons in a rainbow of colors fill the store. Ribbons, tassels and braids are also on offer. For more accents, how about artificial flowers or antique feathers? Stop by for ideas and materials. L. Musée also stocks chains and joints stocks for jewelry makers. Six workshops commence in May.
Original shop: 2-12-2 Kichijoji-Honcho, Musashino-shi. Tel: 0422-20-6710.
Showroom: 2-22-5-202 Kichijoji-Honcho, Musashino-shi. Tel: 0422-20-2051.

Admagic Gallery
When stuffed animals meet jagged stripes, they suddenly become fashionable objects. Ordered in Japan and woven in Italy, Spain and other Latin countries, the multi-colored velour towels look beautiful. Beach towels (90 x 180cm, JY7800), handkerchiefs, stuffed animals, cushions, tote bags and aprons, are all made with the same towel material. The results are pleasantly surprising. The 100 percent cotton, stuffed animals (JY2800-JY75,000) and washable animal cushions are also stuffed with specially-made cottons to make them durable. Many tote bags are made with animal motifs, from puppy handles (JY4500) to kitten buckles. The mature, geometric patterns and range of objects appeal to toddler and grown-up alike.
2-18-1 Kichijoji-Honcho, Musashino-shi. Tel: 0422-23-2193.