Freaky Kigurumi Costume Shops in Shenzhen

Yesterday I went up to Shenzhen for some shopping.  I was headed up to some shops near the Hong Ling subway station (红岭站, on the Blue line).   It was my first time here and I was quite surprised when I exited from gate D. 

It turns out the entire block is full of stores selling costumes of all sorts, including furry mascot type characters (Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Kung Fu Panda, etc).  

Long time Etchy blog readers will recall that I've previously blogged about the crafts market area on Bao An Road in Shenzhen that sells seasonal decorations, including tons of Halloween decorations and costumes before Halloween.  But this area is different.

  I didn't spend too much time looking through the stores since this isn't what I was here for, but this place seemed to focus on costumes for exhibitions, promotions, performances, etc.   Some of them were Chinese ethnic minority type costumes,  some of them were traditional 'cosplay' type outfits (race queen, etc),  but of course what you can't help but notice are the furry mascot outfits... and of course it being China.... they're all crude knock-offs...

Long long time Etchy blog readers should be familiar with my album of "Kigurumi" photos,  taken mostly while I lived in Japan.  Kigurumi is a Japanese word for this type of cosplay.  Sometimes its for work, sometimes for fun... sometimes for a creepy sexual fetish related to a fixation on anime characters..... but who am I to judge?!?   I've also blogged previously about some people in Beijing who wear these Mickey Mouse and other costumes to pose for pictures with tourists for money (pose first, then ask for money later).... now I know where they get their costumes! :-P

A lot of these stores also seem to sell lion dancing heads and drum kits (I'm guessing especially for the upcoming Chinese New Year).   And they all seem to like to put the mascot costume heads on their dress wearing mannequins:

 Creepy? Anyway,  now I know where to come for my next Halloween costume!  I'll be Kung Fu Panda for sure.

Here's the Google Maps link in case you ever want to find this place:

http://goo.gl/maps/kAu3d