Kameyama ECHO

Kameyama ECHO (亀山エコー) is a shopping center located in the central part of Kameyama, Mie Prefecture, Japan. It is the only and largest shopping center in the city, operated by Kameyama Shopping Center Co., Ltd. (株式会社亀山ショッピングセンター). The center opened on November 12, 1976, with 40 specialty stores and JUSCO as the key tenant. It is situated along the old Tokaido road, near the site of Kameyama Castle, and was developed as part of a local shopping district redevelopment effort to stop the outflow of shoppers to neighboring Suzuka and Yokkaichi. The facility is connected to the nearby shopping street by the Echo Ohashi bridge, allowing visitors to move freely between the two areas. The center originally used the name "Kameyama Echo" but later adopted "Echo Town" as it expanded with additional tenants in a flat parking area. Over the years, the tenant mix has changed significantly. JUSCO withdrew in 1996 and was replaced by the supermarket Sanshi and the clothing store Ebisuya. Other tenants that have opened include Sega World, Gusto, Mos Burger (1995), Mr. Tonkachi home center, Docomo Shop, J-Phone Shop, Kamadoya (2000), Yoshinoya (2003), Eiden (now Edion) electronics store (2005), Geo (2006), and Mister Donut (2012). In 2013, the main building underwent seismic reinforcement work and a renovation centered on all restrooms, making it a safer and more comfortable commercial complex. Kameyama ECHO faces competition from larger shopping centers in Suzuka, particularly AEON Mall Suzuka Bel City, which opened in 1996 with over 160 stores—more than four times the number at Kameyama ECHO. This has contributed to a continued outflow of shoppers from Kameyama to Suzuka. Despite this, Kameyama ECHO remains an important local retail hub, with about 82% of citizens purchasing daily necessities within the city, though only about 19% use local commercial facilities for other goods, while about 66% use facilities in Suzuka. The center is currently anchored by Super Sanshi (supermarket), Kiringdo (pharmacy), Edion (electronics), and various specialty stores including a 100-yen shop, yakiniku restaurant, fitness center, home center, game center, and mobile phone shops. The operating company, Kameyama Shopping Center Co., Ltd., has its headquarters at the same address as the shopping center. The company's capital is 90 million yen, and the representative director is Shin Kosuge.

Kameyama ECHO opened on November 12, 1976, as "Kameyama Shopping Center Echo" with 40 specialty stores and JUSCO as the key tenant. The shopping center was developed as part of a local shopping district redevelopment project, initiated by local merchants with the support of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to stop the outflow of shoppers to neighboring cities such as Suzuka and Yokkaichi. The site was chosen just below the elevated shopping street, and the two were connected by the Echo Ohashi bridge to create an integrated shopping zone. In 1995, Sega World, Gusto, and Mos Burger opened within Echo Town. In 1996, JUSCO withdrew, and Super Sanshi (supermarket) and Ebisuya (clothing) opened. In 1998, a point card system (Kameyama Point Card K Card) was introduced. In 2000, Mr. Tonkachi (home center), Docomo Shop, J-Phone Shop, and Kamadoya opened. In 2003, Yoshinoya opened. In 2005, Eiden (now Edion) electronics store opened. In 2006, Geo opened, and the north parking lot was developed with a new north entrance. In 2007, the sign tower and rooftop parking lot were repaired. In 2008, the Echo Town Entrance Garden was completed, and full maintenance of the main building facilities began. In 2009, Game Chao opened. In 2010, the Echo Ohashi bridge connecting Higashimachi shopping street and Echo was extensively renovated. In 2011, the first "Kameyama 100 Yen Shopping Street" in Mie Prefecture was held in cooperation with Higashimachi and Honmachi shopping streets. In 2012, Mister Donut opened. In 2013, seismic reinforcement work and renovation of all restrooms were carried out. The center has faced significant competition since the opening of AEON Mall Suzuka Bel City in 1996, which has over 160 stores, more than four times the number at Kameyama ECHO. This has led to a continued outflow of shoppers from Kameyama to Suzuka. Despite this, Kameyama ECHO remains the only and largest shopping center in Kameyama, serving as a vital local retail hub.

• 2013

  Seismic reinforcement work and renovation of all restrooms carried out.

• 2012

  Mister Donut opens.

• 2011

  First 'Kameyama 100 Yen Shopping Street' in Mie Prefecture held in cooperation with Higashimachi and Honmachi shopping streets.

• 2010

  Echo Ohashi bridge connecting Higashimachi shopping street and Echo extensively renovated.

• 2009

  Game Chao opens.

• 2008

  Echo Town Entrance Garden completed; full maintenance of main building facilities begins.

• 2007

  Sign tower and rooftop parking lot repairs completed.

• 2006

  Geo opens; north parking lot developed and north entrance established. 30th anniversary.

• 2005

  Eiden (now Edion) electronics store opens.

• 2003

  Yoshinoya opens.

• 2000

  Mr. Tonkachi, Docomo Shop, J-Phone Shop, and Kamadoya open.

• 1998

  Point card system (Kameyama Point Card K Card) introduced.

• 1997

  Consumption tax increased to 5%.

• 1996

  JUSCO withdraws; Super Sanshi and Ebisuya open. 20th anniversary.

• 1995

  Sega World, Gusto, and Mos Burger open within Echo Town.

• 1986

  Milestone year (details not specified).

• 1976

  Kameyama Shopping Center Echo opens with 40 specialty stores and JUSCO as key tenant.

The only and largest shopping center in Kameyama, serving as a local community retail hub with a mix of daily necessities and specialty stores.

• Super Sanshi

• Kiringdo

• Edion

• meets.

• Yakiniku Tarafuku

• Curves

• Mr. Tonkachi

• Geo

• Game Chao

• Mos Burger

• Gusto

• Yoshinoya

• Hyakugo Bank

• Docomo Shop

• Takarakuji ticket counter

1. 1亀山エコータウンecho-sc.com
2. 2会社紹介echo-sc.com
3. 3Kameyama ECHO - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4亀山エコー - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org