- 3 min read

Glass Forest, Gothic Lolita Shop [CLOSED] [Closed]

Fashion, goods, and fantasy

Archived content

The location on this page has been reported permanently closed.

Last updated: Oct 17, 2020

European princess fantasy...and a robot cat. When my highly fashionable adopted "Sendai Grandma" said she wanted me to join her for some tea, this is not what I expected. I had heard of the gothic Lolita subculture, but I was about to get a crash course with two lumps of sugar.

Welcome to Glass Forest--the cutest world you can fit into a former apartment house. Sendai is no Harajuku. Still, Sendai has some cosplay, anime, and pop culture centered inside and surounding the EBeanS store in front of the main train station, this shop offers something different. What it may lack in terms of sure volume of goods, it excels in customer experience with its quiet atmosphere, personalized service, and a sense of community.

Glass Forest started in 2011 around the same EBeanS area before it moved just a short 10 minute walk away from JR Sendai Station. Owner and manager Hikari Sasaki has made sure that the moment you walk through the unassuming door that everything is perfect. Items for sale, atmosphere, and even the classical music playing in the background is painstakingly considered. Dresses and accessories dominate what you can purchase. However, some of the accessories can be equally gender neutral. I found a steam-punk inspired necklace made by a local artist. I picked it up as a personal gift. While shopping, it is a pleasure to admire the decorations all around. Violins on the walls, a rocking horse above the door way, and nutcrackers on a corner shelf all help take the worries of the real world outside away for the moment. If you can't find what you are looking for, ask. Hikari-san can usually order it from her online shop (information on the store's website), or make a custom order on your behalf.

Once a month there is a customer appreciation tea party. Wear your favorite attire and enjoy tea with other gothic Lolita fans. As others exchanged fashion tips during my visit, I played with an interesting robot cat. It purrs, it moves, and it gives you nightmares. But it is still so much fun. Occasionally there are special events where famous cosplayers come and visit. Hikari-san is very well connected in the Lolita community in Sendai and other parts of Japan. She will treat every customer as a royal guest. While English may not be her strength, beauty and smiles are universal as the mantra here seems to be. Anyone interested is sure to be welcomed with open arms. The owner and regulars are very interested in meeting fans from other countries, so do stop by if you have a chance.

Glass Forest is open Saturday & Sunday 13:00-18:00. From Sendai Station, walk west down Minamimachi-dori towards Hirose River. Take a left at Office 24 at the traffic signal at the end of the Sun Mall Shopping Arcade. Then enter the Shanboru (シャンボール一) Apartment Bldg. on the left a short distance away. On the first floor is CYAN cafe. Glass Forest is located on the second floor in room 204.

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