Line is a instant messaging system that is very popular throughout Asia and in particular Japan where it began in 2011. The system was developed as a disaster response tool after the damage to telecommunication infrastructure during the Tohoku earthquake.
One of the features of the system was a range of cute virtual stickers or emoji that users could send to each other. These characters are now so popular they have become some of Japan and Asia’s most loved characters. Called Line Friends, the team is centered around a big bear called Brown and his friends, Sally the duck, Connie the Rabbit, Leonard a frog and several other cute and cheerful guys.
Tokyo’s teen fashion capital Harajuku was the first to open a Line Friends Store. Located only meters away from Takashita Street on Jingu-Maen the store features a huge array of products centered around the characters including plush toys, stationery, clothing and home wares. The store carries over 400 exclusive items and becomes very busy especially on Sunday’s when thousands flock to Harajuku in search of the latest trends.
The Line Friends craze has swept Asia. Stores have opened in many countries around Asia including Korea and Taipei and Taiwan plus many more pop ups hope in places like China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to name a few. Taiwan has even played host to the first Line Friends theme park full of activities based around the characters.
For that perfect selfie, drop into the Harajuku Line Friends Store and get a shot with the main characters at the store’s entrance. Then head to the back of the store and find the monstrous plush Brown Bear who sitting there patiently waiting for visitors to come in and admire his size and sheer cuteness.
