Bic Camera is a large electronics retailer with a lot more than just the latest cameras and other digital gadgets. As a competitor to Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera carries everything from smartphones to video games, toys, home appliances and alcohol.
Bicqlo is an electronics and clothing mall in Shinjuku dominated by Bic Camera
Bic Camera has three outlets near Shinjuku Station – one inside Odakyu HALC on the west side of the station and two on the east side: a large outlet called Bicqlo that is combined with a Uniqlo outlet, and a smaller branch called Bic Camera Shinjuku Station East Gate.
The name “Bicqlo” is a mix of “Bic Camera” and “Uniqlo”
Bicqlo is housed in a 12-story building including four basements that’s a few blocks east of Shinjuku Station. Bic Camera takes up most of the building – everything except part of the first floor and all of the second, third, seventh and eighth floors and the fourth basement. Uniqlo and various sports and outdoor goods retailers take up the rest.
A made-in-Japan 60-inch Panasonic flatscreen TV with 4K resolution
On the building’s fourth floor, Bic Camera has 4K flat-screen TVs, portable audio players, video cameras, wearable cameras and drones.
Panasonic’s triangular Rulo robot vacuum cleaner
Washlet-style toilet seats
The fifth floor features home appliances as well as Washlet-style bidet toilet seats, massagers as well as robotic vacuum cleaners.
Takara Tomy’s Robi Jr. robot is one of many unique toys on the sixth floor
Games, video games and toys are found on the sixth floor. You’ll find items that may be tough to get outside Japan, including home communication robots, plastic figurines featuring robots from the Mobile Suit Gundam anime franchise, Tomica die-cast toy cars, and even cardboard samurai armor for kids.
Clocks based on cartoon characters are found on the first basement
The first basement of the building is packed with a wide variety of products, including digital cameras, memory cards, selfie sticks, watches, fountain pens and much more.
Nambu tekki ironware kettles from northern Japan
There are also snacks, including green tea and other unusual flavors of Kit Kat, alarm clocks designed like Hello Kitty, Pikachu, Doraemon and other anime characters, as well as colorful, handcrafted nambu tekki ironware kettles from northern Japan.
Smartphones, PCs, tablets, smartwatches and computer accessories are on the second basement, while peripherals, software and other goods are on the third basement.
Bic Camera Shinjuku Station East Gate
A few blocks to the west, Bic Camera Shinjuku Station East Gate is a slim building of seven floors including two basements. It’s basically the same kind sort of electronics-focused merchandise as Bicqlo but on a smaller scale.
A Hello Kitty camera at Bic Camera Shinjuku Station East Gate
You’ll find smartphones, tablets and Wi-Fi routers on the first floor, digital cameras, lenses and camera accessories on the second, and laptops and audio gear on the third floor. Smartphone cases and suitcases are on the fourth floor, while the fifth floor is stocked with gaming consoles, video games, hair dryers and beauty products.
Japanese whisky at Bic Camera Shinjuku Station East Gate
Japanese whisky, sake, shochu and beer are on the first basement, along with other alcoholic beverages, with iPad accessories on the second basement.
Bic Camera Shinjuku Map
Bicqlo is open every day from 10:00 to 22:00
Tel. 03-3226-1111
Bic Camera Shinjuku Station East Gate is open every day from 10:00 to 21:00
Tel. 03-5312-1111
Article by Tim Hornyak. All rights reserved.
