The "East Park" and "Personal Room" on the 5th floor of the Isetan Shinjuku Main Building will be renovated and reopened on March 4th. The new store will feature a wide range of content offering tools and ideas to help individuals express their individuality.
The remodeled store will be divided into three categories: the "Communication" zone, which offers pens and letter sets for writing down thoughts to others; the "Work" zone, which allows users to customize their desk space; and the "Customization" zone, which accepts personalized orders for paper and printing to accentuate individuality.
When asked why the store stocks a wide variety of cards and masking tape to facilitate communication, a buyer in charge of the store commented, "With the evolution of digital technology, the value of letters is being reevaluated." Among the wide variety of items available, an Isetan-original letter set (3,000 yen) has been created as a store-exclusive item. The set includes five 52-yen stamps, two 82-yen stamps, two postcards, and one foldable envelope with letter paper inside. It's available in two designs: Macmillan/Isetan and Black Watch/Isetan Men's. Both tartan designs are printed on the stamps, envelopes, and postcards, so when used together, the letter itself takes on a artistic quality. However, it's pointless to buy them and then leave them in storage, thinking you'll use them someday. To prevent this, the store has installed a mailbox in-store, allowing customers to write and mail letters on the spot. The mailbox features a gorgeous marble finish, and postal workers collect them daily. To commemorate the collaboration between the store and Japan Post, Japan Post stamp designer Hitomi Nakamaru will be visiting the same floor on March 4th. Nakamaru, who is also known as the designer of Japan Post's original character, "Posukuma," will also be in attendance. What's more, on the day of the event, anyone who purchases a letter set on the spot and mails a letter will not only receive an autograph from Hello Kitty, but will also be able to take a commemorative photo with Post Kuma.
In addition to this, the store is planning a variety of other events in conjunction with the remodel. On March 13th and 14th, in collaboration with stamp maker "gobe," there will be a workshop where you can create your own original letter paper set using Hello Kitty stamps.
