There are some shopping trips where you head in with a checklist and leave within half an hour. Sunshine Plaza is rarely one of them. Despite being primarily known as the go-to place for printing and art supplies, it’s also a kind of mall where you can lose track of time browsing shelves, chatting with passionate shop owners and stumbling across things you weren’t expecting to find in the first place. It’s a slower, more old-school retail experience that’s becoming increasingly rare in Singapore.

That slower pace also makes Sunshine Plaza surprisingly rewarding for hobbyists. Instead of big-name chains, you’ll find specialist stores built around genuine enthusiasm. So, if you’re in the mood to explore rather than simply shop, these are the places worth adding to your list.

Find Rare Diecast Collectibles at Let’s Play

For Tomica enthusiasts, shops like Let’s Play can easily turn a quick browse into an hour-long visit. Having served Singapore’s diecast collecting community for more than a decade, the store has become a favourite among hobbyists thanks to its impressive selection of Tomica cars and Tomy Plarail trains. While the shop itself isn’t particularly large, every shelf is packed with collectibles, making it well worth taking your time to browse every corner.

What makes Let’s Play particularly appealing is its depth of inventory. Besides the latest releases, there’s always the exciting possibility of stumbling upon older or harder-to-find models that have long disappeared from mainstream retailers. For collectors chasing a missing piece for their display cabinet, that alone makes every visit worthwhile.

The knowledgeable staff are another highlight. Rather than pushing sales, they’re happy to chat about upcoming releases, recommend models or simply share their enthusiasm with fellow collectors. If you see yourself returning regularly, becoming a member is also well worth considering, as it unlocks generous discounts for a modest fee. Before making the trip, it’s worth checking the shop’s Facebook page too, where new arrivals are frequently announced.

Let’s Play
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-34 sunshine plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 12 PM – 7:30 PM | Closed on Sundays

Build Your Pokémon Collection at Toynado Collectibles

Whether you’ve been collecting Pokémon cards since childhood or recently joined the hobby, Toynado Collectibles deserves a spot on your itinerary.

The store specialises in Pokémon Trading Card Game products, stocking everything from sealed booster packs to professionally graded slabs. While dedicated singles collectors may find the browsing selection more modest than at some larger retailers, Toynado more than compensates with an excellent range of newly released sealed products. If you’re someone who enjoys the thrill of opening fresh packs and chasing elusive pulls, you’ll likely leave satisfied.

Pokémon isn’t the only reason to visit either. The shop also carries Ichiban Kuji prizes and other collectibles, making it equally appealing to anime fans and blind box enthusiasts.

Part of Toynado’s appeal lies in how welcoming the experience feels. The layout is clean and easy to browse, while the owners are friendly, approachable and transparent about where their products come from. Combined with competitive pricing and flexible payment options, it’s easy to understand why many collectors make this one of their regular stops whenever new sets launch.

Toynado Collectibles
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-43, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Friday, Saturday: 12 PM – 8 PM | Saturday: 11 AM – 9 PM | Sunday: 11 AM – 8 PM | Monday: 6 PM – 8 PM

Give Your Favourite Camera a Second Life at Camera Hospital

Not every hobby shop revolves around buying something new. Sometimes, the most satisfying purchase is the repair that lets you keep using something you already love.

Camera Hospital has built an outstanding reputation among photography enthusiasts by specialising in repairs for cameras of virtually every make and model. Run by a friendly husband-and-wife team, the shop has become something of an unofficial lifeline for photographers whose cameras have been turned away by authorised service centres simply because they’re considered too old or obsolete.

Rather than immediately recommending costly repairs, the team carefully diagnoses each issue, clearly explains what’s gone wrong and lets customers decide whether the repair is worthwhile. That honest, transparent approach has earned them an exceptionally loyal customer base over the years.

Fast turnaround times and significantly lower prices than many authorised repair centres are obvious advantages, but what truly sets Camera Hospital apart is the team’s willingness to tackle unusual problems. Whether it’s an ageing DSLR, a vintage film camera or even an action camera with an unexpected fault, they’re often happy to investigate if there’s a chance of bringing it back to life.

The shop also stocks a modest range of replacement parts and accessories, meaning a missing lens cap or damaged component may have a simple solution without needing to order parts from overseas. For anyone who’s ever thought a beloved camera had reached the end of the road, Camera Hospital might just prove otherwise.

Camera Hospital
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-67 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 1 PM – 6 PM | Saturday-Sunday: 1 PM – 5 PM

Explore Tarot and Personal Growth at Destiny Wealth Crafter

Hobbies aren’t always about building collections. Sometimes, they’re about learning something entirely new.

Destiny Wealth Crafter offers an experience unlike anywhere else in Sunshine Plaza through its BaZi and numerology consultations, tarot readings and beginner-friendly tarot courses. Whether you’re simply curious or hoping to explore tarot more seriously, the sessions are designed to feel approachable rather than intimidating.

Many visitors speak highly of Master Taliat and Master Jonio, who are known for their thoughtful, insightful readings and patient approach. Rather than rushing through appointments, they take time to answer questions, explain their observations clearly and provide practical guidance that clients can genuinely reflect upon afterwards. Those booking a shared reading can also rest assured that sensitive conversations are handled with discretion and respect for privacy.

If you’ve ever been interested in learning tarot yourself, the one-day basic tarot course is particularly worth considering. Taught by Master Jonio, lessons are broken down into simple, easy-to-understand concepts that make even complete beginners feel comfortable. By the end of the session, participants are guided through conducting their own one-card and three-card readings using the Major Arcana, leaving with both greater confidence and a stronger understanding of card interpretation.

As appointments are required for all sessions, it’s best to plan ahead before making your visit.

Destiny Wealth Crafter
Location: 91 Bencoolen St, #01-71 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 12:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Closed on Sundays

Final Thoughts

One of the joys of having a hobby is that there’s always something new to discover. Sometimes it’s the missing collectible you’ve been searching for, sometimes it’s finally repairing a camera you thought was beyond saving, and sometimes it’s picking up an entirely new interest that you never expected to enjoy.

That’s exactly why Sunshine Plaza remains such an enjoyable place to explore. Rather than rushing visitors from one storefront to the next, the mall encourages you to slow down, browse and have conversations with people who genuinely care about what they do. It’s these specialist businesses—and the communities they’ve quietly built over the years—that give Sunshine Plaza a character that’s increasingly difficult to find in today’s retail landscape. Whether you’re an avid collector or simply curious to try something different, don’t be surprised if you leave with more than you originally came for.