New People

The few times that I've come here were for Love Live events (as my bf is a huge fan). This place has always been very clean and accommodating for events (especially getting Pocky/Hello Panda/Choco Shroom treats before/after the showing). Parking isn't too bad as there is the lot under Japantown, but if you want to try street... good luck :)

For the movie theater on the basement level, it is very clean and the seats are pretty comfortable - no food/drinks allowed into the theater (water for sure is though). The lighting is very mild and I just love how the walls are decorate to incorporate the lights with the decor.

One of the two things I dislike is the lack of ventilation and no cell reception in the theater. It gets really muggy and I usually have to take a break outside around the 2 hour mark for some fresh air. There was once that I felt a slight breeze but it still wasn't enough - the air was still stale and didn't smell quite nice.

Final Thoughts: As I've only been here for the theater, I definitely want to try the cafe and explore the place a bit more some other time. I'm pretty sure my bf will be more than excited for another Love Live event (I'll probably wait at Japantown or explore the other levels though).

If this fashion-forward Japanese trifecta of cafe, shopping mall and art gallery is for New People, what is left for us Old People? A half-eaten egg salad sandwich at Benkyodo? Discounted plastic containers at Daiso? I think Little Kitty became a Harajuku girl and threw up in here. The four-floor complex strikes me as half kitsch, half mod, and full-on J-Pop. It's enough to make me feel like a geezer in a Yasujiro Ozu film quietly disappointed in my grandchildren.

None of the set-up here surprised me since I came here with my friend Maggie for a Yelp Elite event when it first opened in September 2009. I was so overwhelmed by all the manga, anime and Harajuku fashion that I thought I landed in a Gwen Stefani video. I ain't no Hollaback girl, but I do get peckish. A little Delica bento box and a cup of Blue Bottle might just do me if I get tired of the ramen at Sapporo-Ya. Otherwise I don't think I'll be buying a pair of those sneakers with the toe separation. So not me.

A new modern outlook displaying Japanese products and style.

It's quite captivating to look around each distinct floor to see what the entire department has to offer as a whole.

There' s a cafe on the first floor and as you go up, products ranges from stuffed Japanese dolls, supplies, robots, toys and to Japanese Lola fashion outfits! Lola fashion outfits, for those who don't know, is like a doll like outfit with layers of ruffles and sometimes with solid or patterned fabric! Reminds of being dressed up in a doll costume! The price to buy one Lola outfit is about $150+! Yikes! I honestly don't understand the trend or fashion of them!

Overall, a pretty hip, modern department Japanese place to check out. It gave me great insight on Japanese culture!

This is usually the "destination" for film festivals, since there is a pretty awesome theatre in the basement area. The decoration inside is pretty cool, and the famous "Escape from a Room" game is on the second floor. The first floor is a Victorian tea area, which is pretty nicely decorated, and great for "afternoon tea" for the ladies :)

Definitely a good place to visit at least once if you're in the J-town area.

Three floors of j-culture things to look through!

Tea & Crumpets on the first floor is cute, but honestly not worth the money for an afternoon tea. So aesthetic though, and there's a private party room on an upper floor too!

There are three j-fashion stores on the second and third floor, including the Baby The Stars Shine Bright flagship stores, but as with all j-fashion, the dresses are cute and hellishly expensive.

There are also two escape rooms, one on the highest floor and one in the basement with the cinema! We didn't have time to do an escape room, but maybe next time. I'd love to come for one of the film fests, too.

But!! The highlight of this review is the bathroom on the third floor by the Sou-Sou store. It's decorated in kind of a creepy manner (ants and twin girls on the walls, with red lighting by the sink), but!! There is a Japanese toilet seat!!! The heated seat makes for a very nice bathroom experience, though I couldn't get the bidet portion of it to work (boo).

Fun to visit and see all the crazy fashion, especially the beautiful sales associates that are dressed up for the stores, too. Come and take it in!

For a business that advertises Rilakkuma all over the store (upstairs), they had maybe like 1 Rilakkuma merchandise. The lady working said they don't have anything now for awhile, so maybe just bad timing but I would expect they would have a shipment of more merchandise because of the Cherry Blossom Festival. I guess not.

What a great place for anyone interested in Japanese pop culture!

With a cinema downstairs (was showing Kuroawa's The Seven Samurai when I was there), a cute cafe on the ground floor, and multiple shops on the top floors (beware gothic lolita and manga fans and guard your money!!), New People distinguishes itself from the rest of Japan Town by straying away from the traditional Japanese stuff. There's also a nifty art gallery at the top most floor so be sure not to forget that.

Clean and postmodern looking, it's worth a shot to visit.

Cute and overpriced!!!

i was looking for a macaron keychain but they didn't have any. Found lots of cute looking dessert stuff though, but sadly not edible...

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/X3lTY9QX_ykpRWXCLNXIoA?select=71BnD1228OrnXsOYOWUkTA

OMG ~!!! I'm totally in LOVE with this place !!!

It was actually their Grand Opening yesterday,08/15/09 during the J-Pop Summit Festival. Unfortantely, I missed out on the event...=( my lazy ass couldn't get out the bed in time....=x ahahah but hey ! I was here today ~!!! less crowded and no lines ^ ^ muahahahha score either way ^ ^

New People is like a semi mini mall of Japanese culture. They got the goods, coffee, fashion and art all in one building. My favorite would be their 3rd floor SUPERFROG Gallery which features the latest exhibitions. Currently they are showing work done by Yoshitaka Amano his collection called Deva Loka USA

2nd floor you have the fashion and a kids mini playground !!! Kawaii~!!! ahaha They sell Sweet and Gothic Lolita outfits here. They also have models actually walking around to advertise their items. Very interesting, indeed ! ahahah I wanna model for them ahahhah well maybe~ =/ lol

1st floor they got the goods~ ahahha this is where boo boo bought me a t-shirt for me today muahahah ^ ^ [picture is posted of the shirt I got ^ ^] They have alot of cute/neat/cool toys, gagets, music, jewlery,etc. They even have the latest japanese fashion of sweet accessories !!! kawaii~!! lol okay enough with the " kawaii " lol hella annoying now....lol anyways ~!!!

So much to look at....so little time....So much to buy...too broke...ahahah =x The goods here are a bit pricey,but hey~! There are just some things in life you gotta have, right? =) hehe it's a must check out place if you're around Japantown for sure !!

Japanese fashion, movies, retail, art, design and more in one building? Love it! I'm glad the elevator wasn't working because the staircases are adorned with art. The music comes from a highly respected artist from Tokyo's club music scene. The employees wear quirky ties by Giraffe.

The basement is the orange theatre lobby with Taiji Fujimori Loaf fiberboard seating (looks like wood blocks from a distance). They claim that the VIZ the only cinema in the US dedicated to Japanese films. Restrooms are also in the basement.

The first floor features another cluster of Loaf furniture and the Café with Blue Bottle Coffee, savory Japanese treats from Delica, teas and sweets.

The Mezzanine level (THE STORE) has a wide variety of goods, including Japanese wrapping paper, rubber stamps, patisserie jewelry, scented patisserie candles (cookies, cupcakes), books, CDs, cloth tape, tiny speakers, t-shirts, pens, notebooks, stickers, 35 mm cameras that look like juice boxes, monsters, aliens, robots and Be@rbrick, etc. The travel alarm clocks are sleek and small. Items are witty, including crumpled paper bags that are waterproof, crumpled ceramic cups that resemble paper cups, a paper lantern that looks like a giant light bulb, picture hangers that look like mini hangers, and one of a kind "drip" bookmarks. I wanted to take pictures but photography is prohibited in certain areas.

My picks:
* Adorable bow ties with studs by Giraffe for $109
* Bunny shaped carrying case with foldable tote bag inside (which I purchased for a friend)
* Milk Crown tray ($49.99)

The 2nd floor has four boutiques. BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT features lacy Alice in Wonderland dresses in pastel colors for $200 - 300, shoes and accessories. I can't imagine much demand for this type of fashion in that price range. BLACK PEACE NOW fashion features lots of black, corsets, and skulls - cute and more wearable than BABY. 6%DOKIDOKI was just too bright and cheerful for me. I'm the BLACK PEACE NOW type. SOU-SOU has cute handmade (in workshops across Japan) fabric shoes with split toes - not my style but very different (and about $120 each - not that bad given that the style is so unique).

The 3rd floor is the SUPERFROG art gallery. The current artist, Yoshitaka Amano is known for his Final Fantasy character designs. His pieces feature girls with big eyes and tiny mouths.

NEW PEOPLE carries items that fans of DEATH NOTE and Japanese popular culture are sure to appreciate. They say that "even our toilets are worth of your time and attention! NEW PEOPLE is proud to be the first public building in the US to have Washlets." Washlets are Japanese toilets. I forgot to check out the toilets (next time).