155 Plymouth St., 718-801-8037, zakkacorp.com 
Remember the kid who always had all the coolest toys? Now imagine if he opened a Japan-centric boutique packed with Godzilla dolls, foldable cardboard sculptures and vending machines selling Yujin miniature characters. Since relocating from SoHo two years ago, this eclectic little space has found Brooklyn digs ideal. "Many artists have studios here, and I opened a store to be part of the community," says owner Toshiki Okazaki. Don't let the extensive assortment of stylish playthings mislead you; Zakka is ultimately about the appreciation of visual design, and the shop also offers T-shirts from local artists, books by artists like Shepard Fairey and Japanese magazines. Be sure to visit the store's blog to find out about events and new arrivals.

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