Zakka

Zakka has a bizarre and delightful array of items from vintage Japanese toys to a large selection of design books and magazines. The whole store has an offbeat, curated vibe and it’s one of my go-​to locations for gifts. The guy working the counter (perhaps the owner) was very friendly and helpful, too.
My only complaint is that they seem a little slow to restock merchandise.

Zakka is the place to go for Japanese toys, books, and magazines. It’s always a good spot to visit if you need a bit of inspiration.

Please tell me you have a Spotify playlist that you can send me. Seriously, my life would be complete if I could just know the source of your amazing music.
I don’t know that reviewing this place is fair. I’ve dreamed a lot of weird things (don’t ask), but this is the closest that the real world has come to bringing any of them to fruition. If you’re into Japan in any way shape or form, you will more than likely love this store. If you’re going purely for figures, you’ll probably be a bit disappointed, unless you’re looking for something quite rare or quite off the wall, or both. The shirts available are cool, the books and magazines are interesting, and the fact that they sell art from local and international artists is awesome. I’m nowhere near hip enough to buy any of said art, but I like that they have it. Don’t even get me started on the nerdy design stuff like typography and architecture books. Gah!
If you imagine Kinokuniya’s edgier younger brother, you’d be pretty close to Zakka. Stop giving me reasons to live in Brooklyn, damn you!

Although I’m anti-​animé, if you’re one of those die-​hard Animé or Japanese cartoon fans, this will be heaven for you. From animé character collectible figures to t-​shirts, toys, models, masks, you’ll be impressed with the variety of items offered here. They also have cool design-​related books and material to get you inspired artistically. I think the only downside is you are NOT allowed to take pictures of all the cool and interesting items you see there (although we Unilocalers don’t give a d*mn and will try to take it unnoticed lol). The place is not super busy and pretty laid back with the Japanese cashier guy in the center of the store. It’s definitely great place to buy a unique item that you won’t find elsewhere in stores like Toysareus or even Walmart. Prices are pretty reasonable too!

Cool japanese/​japanese inpspired toy and magazine store. Very wide selection of alternative items, and toy art. One of the more compelling stores of its kind I’ve seen in the US.

They have an amazing collection of art, design, architecture books. Really great books on graphic design, typography, product design, street art, architecture, fashion, packaging, etc. It was a little bit overwhelming in a good way. Books dominate this store now, not toys, but they do have some assortment of trinkets and toys. Like miniature iconic chairs. I saw a little eames LCW moulded plywood for like $ 9 or something. I guess that may count as a toy…

Zakka was disappointing. Their store inside The Limelight in Chelsea showed such promise, but when I checked out this DUMBO flagship store, I wasn’t particularly impressed with the layout of the store or the good they had for animé models, figurines, toys, and plush dolls.

Tons and tons to look at here. They had a very talented artist live-​painting during DUMBO Arts Festival that was impressive.
I’d love to go back and do some more thorough shopping here. I’m certain I could find a gift for quite a few people.

I had been searching for a very rare, out of print Japanese design book. I looked on Japanese book sites, but no go. Called my favorite used Japanese book store in Manhattan. Nothing.
And as a last resort, I emailed Zakka to see if they knew anything at all about the book. And they had a copy in VG condition. Even further, it wasn’t a book they stocked… but a copy owned by one of the owners/​employees.
I cannot say enough nice things about this store.

I was so happy when Zakka moved to Dumbo. I love books, especially awesome design books and Japanese toys!!! The store is fairly big. Great for gift buying and inspiration. I love this store!
People…go buy books from here!

This is a fantastic store. They have an amazing selection sure to please anyone. They have books, toys, clothing, note cards, unusual items, shirts, and more. The store is gorgeous, the set up is great – you could easily spend many hours here.

Zakka, Zakka, Zakka. You made my heart fill with joy. You brought me supreme ecstasy when you moved out to Brooklyn. It is one of my favorites stores to get my fix for all things design and cool. I took my friends there once and I think some of them started crying because of all the coolness. One of them promised me his first born. Still wanting on that one. Anyhow, If you’re a über-​geek for design, toys and Japanese culture like I am, then Zakka is definitely a place to have on your radar.

This store is pretty cool. Stumbled upon in while walking around after crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. It has pretty good knick knacks from Japan. Also they even has some Murakami stuff whch was cool since I had just gone to see the exhibit. They have like old school toys from old Japanese cartoons and other asian cartoons. It kind of brought back some childhood memories wathcing them on tv.
I ddind buy anythig here but it was fun to look around.

I really like this bookstore. Have bought a couple of things from them. However, today, when I was in the store, I wanted to write down the name of a book and they said «You are not allowed to write anything down in the store.» I think this is to keep people from using the store as a library and finding them cheaper online but that’s really rude and since when were you not allowed to write something down in a store??? I’m all for supporting a local business, but come on.. .

Ahh! I can’t believe they moved to DUMBO!
Great place for design books and magazines. They’ve got a decent japanese toy selection and t-​shirts too.
Zakka rules

Best place to mail order the design books turntable lab doesn’t have or the more obscure books pretty much no one else has. Super fast shipping, reliable service.

This is my all time weekend indulgence store. They have what I consider to be the best selection of creative/​design books and magazines. There’s always something new to get my attention. they also have cool designer toys and also host exhibitions. For the past 18mths I have been there at least 2 times a month and always walk out with a purchase or two or three.
They have now closed this store location, they told me on my last visit that they are moving to DUMBO… and that is such a shame as I can’t see myself making the trip across to DUMBO as often as I went down to Grand St.

Shopping
I don’t know how exactly to describe the theme of this store. But I recently stumbled upon the store. It is one of the few stores in the city that offer the variety that this store offers.
For those of you who are into urbanwear and designs, this store sells alot of t-​shirts with unique designs and artwork on them, not as popular as BAPE, and more reasonably priced. Many of them by alot of Japanese artists. If you are into the recent urban vinyl toy explosion, they also have a small section of that for you also. Not a huge selection like ToyQube or ToyTokyo, but a reasonable size that you can check out if you can’t find anything from those locations. Or Maybe you are into books detailing the recently contemporary/​urban art explosion and it’s mediums, you can also stop by here to gather a browse of their book selection.
It’s a smorgasborg of the different aspects of the japanese culture along with the current urban styles of clothing mixed into one. You should come by and check it out. The t-​shirt designs are really nice, but unfortunately it did not appeal to me as much, therefore I did not purchase one.

I stumbled across this store wandering around SoHo today and was quite glad I did. I always dug the street art scene but have never been too heavily into it. This store reminded me a bit of Kid Robot and Giant Robot thrown together with a bookshop. They have a wide selection of Japanese toys and design books. The book selection is LARGE and that is a good thing if you are looking for a random design book. The selection was definitely larger than Kid Robot and Giant Robot in SF.
Would I go back? Definitely. This store will become one of my places to visit when I come back to New York in the future. Just looking through the toys is fun. Stores like this always seem to break my wallet but I like the thrill of opening a little figurine package not knowing which one in the set I am going to receive.

Zakka shop and space brings you a taste of the art and design scene in Japan with magazines, books, music, toys and clothing etc. Right now they even have Japanese vending machines in the front of the store. The front of the store also doubles as a gallery space and they encourage artists to submit their work.