By Cathy Hirano

As some of you may have noticed, I am quite curious about the redevelopment of Takamatsu's central shotengai (shopping street), the 'longest covered arcade' in Japan. (See http://cathy.ashita-sanuki.jp/d2010-12.html and http://cathy.ashita-sanuki.jp/d2011-12.html ) This major project was launched over 20 years ago in 1988 when the shop owners banded together to save the commercial and social heart of the city from the steady encroachment of major shopping malls and chain stores. Last month marked the much-anticipated opening of the last, and biggest, section of the Marugamemachi shopping district redevelopment project.



Of course, I went down to take a look and to ask people how it's going. I found that this particular section has a very different feel from the redeveloped north end. Although covered, it almost doesn't seem like it.



The roof is several stories up and transparent, and covers a large plaza complete with trees.



Whereas the north end still retains the feel of individual, and even family run shops, this area leans more towards trendy shops imported from large urban centers in Japan and elsewhere.

Like Floresta Doughnuts


Jupiter Import Foods


Tower Records


and John Masters Organics


Some local shops have actually moved in from other parts of Takamatsu, like one of the city's famed bakeshops, Lowe.


The redevelopment concept for this section was inspired by a shop owner's trip to Shanghai, where he experienced an urban shopping street with shoppers relaxing at outdoor cafes. Mori Urban Planning Corporation (think, Roppongi Hills, Omotesando Hills, Shanghai World Financial Center) was brought in to make this vision a reality. The idea is to have a steady flow of customers passing from one end of the arcade to the other and enjoying the differences in style and atmosphere.

Not sure what Spiderman had to do with all this


but he was there at the opening.


One sign that suggests the concept is succeeding, at least for now, is that there are far more people in the arcade these days than I ever remember seeing.



Furthermore, the crowds include lots of young people and families with young children.





Malls on the outskirts of town usually draw young families because they have large parking lots. I'm hoping that these families are learning to ride public transit but am guessing the arcade's new parking lot has something to do with this. I do, however, really like the new rule banning bikes from the arcade and the new bicycle parking lot that supports it just outside the arcade entrance.

Here's the bike parking entrance so you'll know what to look for.




The arcade is actually really nice to stroll through, which as far as I'm concerned a mall is not.