Y!Y! Hands Shinjuku

A spot dedicated to Heisei ‘deco’ culture, Y!Y! Hands in Shinjuku stocks hundreds of types of beads and decorative supplies, and offers workshops where you can create one-of-a-kind custom accessories such as smartphone cases, keychains, pens and combs. With colourful interiors inspired by girls’ rooms and candy shops, it’s also a delightful place to take photos.

First-timers will want to opt for the Y!Y! 3-Piece Set, which lets you decorate a phone case, a keychain and a plushie – either a cat, bear or rabbit. Your first mission is to sew the plushie, but don’t worry: the helpful staff will guide you through the process, so even complete beginners can finish the project.

Once you’ve sewn the plushie and stuffed it with cotton, it’s time to choose your decorations. Faced with countless options, listen to your inner voice – go for what you truly love. The selection leans heavily towards ribbons, lace and embellishments, echoing the ‘Princess Gyaru’ culture pioneered by brands like Liz Lisa and Ma*Rs around 2007–2012.

The workshop lasts about 90 minutes. Since you’re using tweezers to handle all sorts of small parts, it’s not exactly a walk in the park. But the time you spend focusing on the task ends up being surprisingly calming, and a welcome break from ultra-optimised everyday life.

Note that the workshops are by reservation only, and phone cases are available for models starting with the iPhone 13.