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History of the Underground Shopping Center

Underpasses created to secure a safe pedestrian space-this is the catalyst for the birth of an underground shopping mall.
The initial underpasses in Osaka are Sakaisuji in front of Mitsukoshi Department Store in Koreibashi, Chuo-ku, Chuo-ku, Junkeicho-dori, Minami-ku, and Namba Shinchi-dori.
On the other hand, the beginning of our underground shopping mall was the Nanba Underground Center (now NAMBA NANNAN), which opened in Namba in 1957, the period of the creation of a full-fledged underground shopping mall in Japan. At that time, it became a hot topic as a fun shopping zone that renewed the image of the conventional dark underpass.
Thanks to the great success of the Nanba Underground Center, the Umeda Underground Center (now Whity Umeda) in 1963, the Abeno Bridge Underground Center (now AVETICA) in 1968, and the Rainbow Town (now NAMBA WALK) in 1970 brought together the best of civil engineering and architectural technologies, and opened as a safe and comfortable city with modern air conditioning, lighting and design.

Chronicle of the Underground Shopping Center

  • 2015〜
  • 2005〜2014
  • 1995〜2004
  • 1985〜1994
  • 1975〜1984
  • 1965〜1974
  • 1955〜1964
2022
02.07 Head office moved to NAMBA WALK Building 01.11 Whity Umeda 204 digital signage installation
2021
04.01 Formation of Do Chika Shoten Association 04.01 Succession of Dojima Underground Center Shopping District Promotion Association Business 04.01 New Nankai Store Co., Ltd. changed its name to TUCKNAL Co., Ltd.
2020
07.01 Merger of Do Chika Co., Ltd. 06.01 New Nankai Store Co., Ltd. became a wholly owned subsidiary through M&A
2019
12.15 Completed flooring of COMS GARDEN parking lot 12.09ONthe UMEDA Open 12.05 Whity Umeda Phase 2 Renewal Open 04.25 Whity Umeda Phase 1 EAST MALL C Toilet Completion 04.01 NAMBA NANNAN Store Association Formation 04.01 Inheriting the NANNAN Town Shopping District Promotion Association business
2018
11.21 AVETICA Flower Clock Square Reopening 03.31 Whity Umeda Phase 1 SOUTH　MALL B toilet completed
2017
07.01 NAMBA WALK Building Toilet, employee rest room and other beautiful clothes completed
2016
12.22 NAMBA WALK Building Air Conditioner BAC-1 and 2 Renewal work 05.31 COMS GARDEN SF4, 6 Refrigerated hot water coil renewal work 03.31 PETIT CHAMPS, COMS GARDEN, NAMBA WALK public passage lighting update work 03.31 COMS GARDEN disaster prevention receiving board and central monitoring board equipment update work
2015
08.13 Completed AVETICA Central Toilet 04.30 NAMBA WALK “FOREST PARK” Reopening 04.01 Rainbow Town Shopping District Promotion Association Business
Formation of NAMBA WALK Store Association
2014
10.10 Whity Umeda “mikke” reopening 08.27 Whity Umeda J3, J4, M5 staircase wind defence door completed 06.20 NAMBA WALK 1st Street High Pressure Circuit Breaker, etc. 06.14 NAMBA WALK Gas Absorbing Cold Water System Renewal Work
2013
12.04 NAMBA WALK 1st Avenue water supply main water valve renewal work 11.30 NAMBA WALK 2nd and 3rd Street air conditioning equipment coil renewal work 10.04 AVETICA No. 16 Staircase wind defense door completed 05.21 NAMBA WALK 2nd and 3rd Street distribution board, etc.
2012
11.21 New connection grand opening due to rebuilding of Hankyu Department Store in Whity Umeda 05.31 NAMBA WALK Head Office Transfer 04.28 Round One Sennichimae Store New Connection Completed
2011
07.22 NAMBA NANNAN NANNAN PARK Renovation 04.04 Relocation of Head Office (AIG Building → Osaka Fukoku Life Building) 04.01 Inherited to Umeda Underground Center Shopping District Promotion Association business
Formation of Whity Umeda Store Association 03.03NAMBA New connection with the grand opening of the NANNAN Takashimaya Osaka store 02.28 Completion of Whity Umeda cooling water plumbing and disaster prevention equipment construction
2010
11.30 Whity Umeda Higashi Umeda Station Connection Slope 11.30 Completion of new connection with rebuilding of Whity Umeda Osaka Fukoku Life Building 07.15 Whity Umeda IZUMINOHIROBA parking lot renovation
2009
10.01 Merger of Osaka Underground Shopping Center Service Promotion Co., Ltd. 05.21 NAMBA WALK Braille block laying work
2008
11.28 Whity Umeda “FARU” Renewal Opening 04.01 Whity Umeda PETIT CHAMPS toiletWhity Umeda, AVETICA, COMS GARDEN toilet renovation work completed
Completion of reception of Whity Umeda NAMBA WALK Oneseg (digital TV) and radio broadcasting 02.29 NAMBA WALK B18 staircase wind defence door completed 01.31 NAMBA NANNAN E9 staircase automatic door completed
Completion of Whity Umeda M6 stairs wind defense door
2007
08.10 AVETICA Scientific Disaster Response Training 04.30 Completed construction of Whity Umeda ESCO business system 04.02 Completion of COMS GARDEN B2 toilet
Completion of Whity Umeda PETIT CHAMPS Toilet 03.30 Completion of toilet in NAMBA WALK WHALE PARK 03.03 Completion of toilet in NAMBA WALK Water Park 02.15 Completion of toilet in NAMBA WALK POCKET PARK 02.03 Completion of toilet in NAMBA WALK NEWS PARK toilet
2006
12.12 Completed NAMBA WALK ART PARK Toilet 11.17NAMBA NANNAN Renewal Grand Opening 06.13 Our 50th Anniversary 02.26 Head Office Relocated (10th floor of AIG Umeda Building, 1-27, Chayacho, Kita-ku)
2005
03.20 COMS GARDEN 15th anniversary
2004
12.16 Completed exterior wall of the NAMBA WALK Building 10.21 NAMBA WALK Chicago Gallery Open 03.26 AVETICA Wind Defense Door Installation Completed 01.21 Whity Umeda Phase 1 D - Completion of toilet installation for disabled people
2003
12.21 Osaka Underground Shopping Center Service Promotion Co., Ltd. 40th anniversary 09.30 Whity Umeda Phase 2 Public Underpass Lighting Repair Work Completed 09.09 "yume station NAMBA WALK Higashi Store" Opened 03.30 AVETICA-Tennoji-koen Park Underground Parking Connection 03.27 Whity UmedaNANNAN Town, Nanba, NAMBA WALK, and next-generation mobile Whity Umeda Opened 03.04
2002
12.04 Open Whity Umeda "YUME STATION IZUMINOHIROBA" 10.04 New construction of wheelchair compatible and cargo handling elevator 10.04 Whity Umeda “IZUMINOHIROBA” renovation opening 05.24 Whity Umeda Pocket Seven was renovated and completed as POCKET PARK 05.24 Whity Umeda confectionery dome was renovated as an independent storeIZUMINOHIROBA 03.26 Recommendation of the council for revitalizing underground shopping malls was reported
2001
12.14 Completion of renovation of Whity Umeda G-1 stairs lighting 12.07 Whity Umeda PETIT CHAMPS North Square Renovation Completion 11.17 Nanba NANNAN Town Guidance Display Installation Completion 10.30 NANNAN Town Square Renovation Completion 10.16 Whity Umeda H-2 Staircase Installation Completion 08.31 Whity Umeda Subway Midosuji Line
Refurbishment of the underground passage and sign installation work completed 05.07 Whity Umeda (PETIT CHAMPS H2 and H16 stairs) flood control Door installation completed 03.16 NAMBA WALK Parking Open 01.04 AVETICA Tennoji Underground Park Connection Begins construction
2000
12.08 Whity Umeda INFORMATION　DESK Refurbishment Open 10.24 NAMBA WALK multi-story parking lot safety prayer festival 08.29 Establishment of Underground Shopping Center Activation Council 06.14 Whity Umeda mobile phone available 05.15 Completion of air conditioning reinforcement work on Whity Umeda 03.31 Dissolve of PETIT-COMS GARDEN 03.20 NANNAN Town,NAMBA WALK 02.09 AVETICA Fountain GARDEN nicknamed "PARL GARDEN"
1999
11.29 Open Whity Umeda "Gourmet Terrier" 11.29 Whity Umeda Phase 1 Phase 2 Interaction Part Refurbishment of toilets 11.29 Whity Umeda “YUME STATION” expansion, guidance service start 10.29 AVETICA Renewal Grand Opening 10.26 AVETICA · Mobile phone available 08.03 Whity Umeda Phase 1 Aisle Cooling Tower Construction Start 07.26 AVETICA Renovation B1 B1 Store Part Renewal Open 03.20 Whity Umeda Phase 1 Refurbishment of cooling tower 03.19 New toilet adjacent to “Fashion Lobby” Whity Umeda 02.27 Complete renovation AVETICA
1998
11.28 "HEP Five" opened, Whity Umeda "SUNNY　TERRA 1" Square was renovated and connected to "HEP Five" and started using it. 11.26 Completion of connection of Whity Umeda-HEP Five cleansing ritual-style 11.15 AVETICA “A Construction Zone” Store partially reopened 10.01 AVETICA renovation work started 07.17 Whity Umeda “Fancy Lobby” and “Fashion Lobby” Entrance renovation 04.01 Revitalization of the extension of Nanba NANNAN Town, completed (new construction of ceiling arch panels, pillar ornaments, etc.)
Nanba NANNAN Town extension is named “SHOKU Raku NANNAN” 03.31 Part of the stairs in Nanba NANNAN Town and NAMBA WALK Construction Completed 03.20 Entrance of Fancy Lobby Whity Umeda, widening of passageways (former Umeda Arcade side) 01.23 Whity Umeda SUNNY　TERRA 1 toilet and stairs relocation (Hankyu Five side)
1997
12.12 Nanba NANNAN Town Partial Ceiling Lighting Renovation 11.13 Relocated toilets in Nanba NANNAN Town New 04.01 AVETICA escalator and elevator service start 04.01 Relocated cooling tower for the second phase of the Whity Umeda to the north side of the Sonezaki East intersection, operation 03.02 AVETICA Central restroom renovation and operation start
1996
08.124 Published "Osaka Underground Shopping Center Map" 06.13 The 40th anniversary of our founding 04.04 The Public Relations Center in Whity Umeda Renovated as Komieux Tea Plaza 04.01 Merger Kyobashi City Center Co., Ltd. 03.23OCAT building opened in Minatomachi, connecting with the western end of NAMBA WALK via moving walk 02.29 AVETICA Casual Plaza Refurbished Open 02.01 Whity Umeda, etc.
1995
08.02 Completion of maintenance around the Osaka Station intersection and Whity Umeda air supply and exhaust tower 02.06 NAMBA WALK receives the Osaka City Mayor's Special Award, Osaka
1994
04.16 NAMBA WALK Grand Opening (Rainbow Town Renovation Completed)
1993
11.30 AVETICA 25th anniversary 11.29 Whity Umeda 30th anniversary 10.014 Completely non-smoking 07.08 New OS building is completed, connecting with Whity Umeda by connecting passageway
1992
12.18 Nanba NANNAN Town 35th Anniversary 06.01 Rainbow Town renovation preparation work started
1991
03.03 Nanba NANNAN Town A Block Full Refurbished Open
1990
04.20 Completed renovation of PETIT CHAMPS 03.20 Opening of COMS GARDEN 02.01 Complete renovation of PETIT CHAMPS Whity Umeda 01.26 Formation of COMS GARDEN Store Association
1989
12.04 COMS GARDEN Foundation 06.17 Whity Umeda Fashion Avenue Closed, Fancy Lobby Restoration
1988
10.08 Abeno Bridge Underground Center Changed Name to AVETICA 07.28 Temporary enclosure for the construction of “COMS GARDEN” 04.18 Kyobashi City Center Co., Ltd. Office established 04.14 Kyobashi City Center Co., Ltd. 02.23 Establishment of Kyobashi City Center Planning and Coordination Headquarters
1987
11.29 Full renovation of Nanba NANNAN Town Food Corner 07.01 Ajipra refreshes open 05.01 Opening of large parking lot under Tennoji-koen Park 04.24 Grand Opening of Whity Umeda 03.23 Completion of Nanba NANNAN Town Green Line 02.02 Opening of Fashion Avenue
1986
10.20 Start of renovation of Umeda Underground Center Phase 2 06.13 The 30th anniversary of our founding 02.17 Umeda Underground Center Phase 1 renovation of OGIMACHI Street
1985
10.01 Osaka 5 Underground Shopping Center and Halley Comet Approach Fair (1st-14th) 09.30 Umeda Underground Center Phase 1 (Whity Umeda) Refurbishment Preparatory construction starts 03.18 Abeno Bridge Underground Center Name SHOKU famous confectionery Corner Renovation (18-29) 02.24 Abeno Bridge Underground Center Refurbishment Corner (Fashion Plaza)
1984
04.09 New construction of the rainbow town, entrance of Sennichimae and entrance
1983
11.29 The 20th anniversary of the opening of the Umeda underground center 11.015 PETIT Champs-Elysées (1st to 4th March), renamed PETIT CHAMPS.
1982
10.01 Osaka 5 Underground Shopping Center Joint CARNIVAL “Osaka Tsukijo 400 Year Festival Previous Festival” (1st to 11th) 08.01 Established “Joint Activation Committee” 07.01 Umeda Underground Service Co., Ltd. changed its name to Osaka Underground Service Promotion Co., Ltd. 03.17 Nanba NANNAN Town Gold Line Completion 03.06 Ume Chika 1st Avenue South Corner Renovation Open 01.01 Kinki District Administrative Inspection Bureau announces that “Disaster Prevention and Environmental Health are generally good” for Ume Chika and Rainbow towns.
1981
06.28 Mayor Milan and other delegations visit Umeda Underground Center and Rainbow Town 06.25 Osaka 5 Underground Shopping Center, Sarotto di Milano Joint CARNIVAL held (25th to 3rd September) 06.08 Osaka Underground Shopping Association, Sarotto di Milano Sister Alliance Resigning 06.02 A shed on the 4th floor of Abeno Bridge Underground Center 03.21 Umeda Underground Center "IZUMINOHIROBA" renovation
1980
09.13 Established Underground Shopping Center Environmental Conservation Committee 03.01 Completion of “Mirror Square” in the Rainbow Town, renovation of “Light Plaza” and “Water Plaza”
1979
10.31 Completion of ceiling renovation work on Umeda Underground Center, Koma, OS Street 07.01 Namba Underground General Joint Fire Protection Management Council established 03.31 Abeno Bridge Underground Center Concourse Renovation
1978
06.24 Refurbishment of “Green Plaza”
1976
11.23 The 20th anniversary of our founding 07.01Abeno Bridge Underground Center Ajipra Refurbishment Work Completed
1975
12.11 Absorb merger of Minami Underground Shopping Center Co., Ltd. 11.15 Rainbow Town Motor Pool renovation work, completion opening 03.01 Rainbow Town “Ai no Hiroba” completion 02.25 Formation of the National Association of Underground Shopping Associations
1974
11.30 Nanba NANNAN Town Newly opened 08.28 Opening of PETIT Champs-Elysées 08.20 Nanba NANNAN Town (Nanba Underground Center) Closed for full renovation work (20th to November 29th) 02.27 PETIT Champs-Elysées Cooperative Formation
1973
11.20 Osaka Underground Center Shopping Association Signs Sister Alliance with Sarotto di Milano in Milan, Italy 10.06 Namba Underground Center 2nd groundbreaking ceremony 08.01 Umeda Underground Center Fashionable South Corner Partial Renovation 07.08 Umeda Underground Center and Sonezaki Police Station New Government Building Connected Underground 02.19 Umeda Extension Underground Shopping Center (PETIT Champs-Elysées) Groundbreaking ceremony
1972
12.20 Opening of the Rainbow Town Motor Pool 10.01 Visits from France to the Rainbow Town
1971
12.10 Abeno Bridge Underground Center and Restaurant Plaza opened 12.03 Contact with Hankyu Five 12.01 Minami Underground Shopping Center Rainbow Town Phase 2 12.01 Completion of the Umeda Underground Center Flower Plaza, reorganization of Koma-dori North end store 10.30 Completion of the Rainbow Town Building 09.23 Completion of Main Corner of Umeda Underground Center 03.20 Full-scale observation of smoke flow in underground shopping malls will be carried out.
1970
07.03 Donation of 245,034 yen of coins thrown into "IZUMINOHIROBA" to the Welfare Center for the Disabled 06.30 Osaka Underground Center Store Association Federation Formed 06.22 Groundbreaking ceremony for Rainbow Town Building 03.20 Umeda Underground Center Phase 2 (IZUMINOHIROBA) Opening 03.06 Minami Underground Shopping Center Phase 1 (Rainbow Town) Opening 02.28 Umeda Underground Center Promotion Association Recruitment of Miss Ume Chika "Izumi no Sei" 02.19 Each underground center signpost (direction board) will be replaced with Roman characters in preparation for the World Expo.
1969
12.23 Formation of Minami Underground Center Rainbow Town Promotion Association 05.26 Minami Underground Shopping Center Phase 2 (Rainbow Town) Groundbreaking ceremony 01.09 Umeda Second Store Recruitment Advertisement Posted on each paper
1968
11.30 Opening of Abeno Bridge Underground Shopping Center (Abeno Bridge Underground Center) 10.26 Minami Underground Shopping Center (Rainbow Town) Phase 1 groundbreaking ceremony 09.15 Removal of the Umeda Underground Center Special Sales Office and Auto Corner (To expand Higashi Umeda Station Subway) 08.28 Abenobashi Underground Center Promotion Association Formed 07.31 Minami Underground Shopping Center Co., Ltd. 07.01 The groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of the Umeda Underground Shopping Center 06.21 Establishment of Minami Underground Shopping Center Co., Ltd.
1967
10.16 Application for recruitment of Abenobashi underground shopping malls (16th to 30th) 06.18 Reorganization of the brand name corner 06.16 Umeda Underground Center Ajino Corner Store Reorganization
1966
07.01 Opened Dojima Underground Shopping Center (Dojima Underground Center) 07.01 Completion of the fountain near Umeda Underground Center ground supply and exhaust tower 06.02 Formation of the Dojima Underground Center Meitenkai 05.01 Plan for the construction of the Abenobashi Underground Shopping Center
1965
11.20 Formation of the National Association of Underground Shopping Streets
1964
11.05 Completion of improvement work for Nanba Underground Center 02.28 Completion of the plumbing and exhaust tower at Umeda underground center
1963
11.29 Umeda Underground Shopping Center Phase 1 (Umeda Underground Center) opened 11.14 Formed Umeda Underground Center Promotion Association 04.15 Completion of air conditioning reinforcement work for Nanba Underground Center
1962
08.14 Umeda Arcade ejection completed and transferred to underground shopping mall 03.01 Start of air conditioning reinforcement work for Nanba Underground Center
1961
03.03 Groundbreaking ceremony for Umeda Underground Shopping Center 02.01 Recruitment of visitors to Umeda Underground Shopping Center
1959
06.30 Completion of air conditioning reinforcement work for Nanba Underground Center
1958
10.01 Preparatory work for the construction of the Umeda underground shopping mall
1957
12.18 Opened Namba Underground Shopping Center (Nanba Underground Center) 09.01 Recruitment of Namba Underground Shopping Center Recruitment Advertisement (Asahi, Mainichi, Sankei Newspaper) 08.01 Nanba Underground Center Meitenkai Formed
1956
09.29 Groundbreaking ceremony of Namba Underground Shopping Center 08.01 Recruitment of Namba Underground Shopping Centers (Advertisement in the Sankei Shimbun) 06.13 Establishment of the Company
1955
11.29 The 1st Osaka Underground Shopping Center Co., Ltd. Preparatory Committee Meeting