If you look up and spot a sleek, modern facade covered with bold neon signs for GU and UNIQLO, sheltered under a bright arched glass roof, you’ve found Sun Mall-right at the heart of bustling Kamiyacho!
Welcome to Sun Mall, where the pulse of Hiroshima’s shopping scene kicks into high gear! Imagine yourself stepping back in time to 1948, right after the war, when this very spot was the “Hirogoku Shopping Street.” Picture a lively T-shaped market bursting with hope, built mainly by survivors and returnees, eager to bring energy and flavor back to their city. Back then, instead of fashion and coffee, the busy main street featured sword fighting shows, magic acts, stand-up comedy, and even singing storytellers! The old name “Hirogoku” was inspired by Kyoto, hoping some of Kyoto’s charm would rub off on Hiroshima.
As the decades went on, Hirogoku struggled against old age and bigger competitors. Stores found themselves fighting for shoppers with new, tall department stores nearby-kind of like a game of retail whack-a-mole! So, the shopkeepers formed a bold plan: tear down the old and build something dazzling and new. After years of debate, delays, and even a little drama (picture heated arguments and stubborn business owners), construction finally started in 1971. In October 1972, the Sun Mall opened its doors with a parade down Main Street, marching bands and all. The place was packed-just imagine the sound of laughter and applause, and don’t forget those long, hungry lines for Hiroshima’s very first Mister Donut.
Over time, Sun Mall became more than just a building; it became a launching pad for young fashion and quirky culture. On the second floor, there’s UNIQLO for simplicity lovers; but go higher, and you’ll discover entire floors filled with subculture shops and trendy boutiques-a paradise for anyone seeking something a little different. They even experimented with satellite radio studios on the fifth floor and threw funky events all around!
Every few decades, Sun Mall has had the courage to reinvent itself, investing millions to stay fresh, hip, and ahead of the curve. In 1986, after a big renovation, they proudly called themselves a “city bazaar,” and in the bubble era of the late 1980s, annual sales soared over 100 billion yen! But you know shopping, right? Sometimes sales go up, sometimes they dip, and sometimes you just need a new hat. Even when things got rough after the millennium, clever remodels and fun new tenants helped Sun Mall bounce back. They even created a rooftop blueberry garden in 2013-yes, a blueberry patch high above the city! The famous local singer Rinana Fuchigami was even crowned “official blueberry ambassador,” and the place got an image song, because who doesn’t want fruit and a jingle?
Sun Mall is also home to some lovable mascots-Stan and Chibi-Stan-who brighten up posters and comics. And if you need a snack, head to the basement supermarket; if you just need to rest tired shopping feet, take a moment here like so many have before you. Maybe wave hello to those passing by on their way to catch a tram-it’s just a couple minutes’ walk to Kamiyacho’s tram stops.
Today, Sun Mall is still going strong, surrounded by plans for futuristic redevelopment, but standing with its arms wide open for locals, students, office workers, and visitors alike. So, take a deep breath, soak up the sounds and energy of Kamiyacho, and perhaps-if you listen closely-you can almost hear echoes of that first noisy market street, performers and shopkeepers hustling, all those years ago beneath the bright covered arcade.
Shall we head to our next stop? There’s plenty more to discover, and I promise-no blueberry picking in the gym!
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