Marine5 Shimizuya

Marine5 Shimizuya (マリーン5清水屋) was a Japanese department store located in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture. Its origins trace back to June 1950, when Tomijiro Aotsuka founded Shimizuya Department Store (株式会社清水屋百貨店) based on Shimizuya Sewing Works. The store became known for its cultural engagement, including exhibitions and the installation of the 'Mermaid Statue' (人魚之像) by sculptor Muneaki Kiuchi in 1973. In 1973, it also opened the restaurant 'Le Pot Feu' (ル・ポットフー), which gained fame for its French-style local cuisine using Shonai ingredients, praised by writer Kaiko Takeshi and critic Maruya Saiichi. In 1978, the store moved to the newly built Sakata Central Building (nicknamed Marine5) as its key tenant. In 1982, it entered a capital and business alliance with the retail giant Daiei. On September 1, 1994, Shimizuya merged with Nakago (中合) and was renamed 'Nakago Shimizuya Store'. However, facing competition from suburban shopping centers and economic downturn, sales declined. In 2011, Nakago announced its withdrawal, and the building management company Marine5 took over the department store business, renaming itself Marine5 Shimizuya Co., Ltd. in June 2011. The store reopened as 'Marine5 Shimizuya' on March 5, 2012, after a partial transfer of business. Despite efforts to revitalize, including new tenants and a direct anime goods section, the store struggled. The COVID-19 pandemic further reduced foot traffic. In 2021, after the death of president Goichi Narisawa, the company decided to close and file for bankruptcy. The store closed on July 15, 2021, and bankruptcy proceedings began on August 13, 2021, with liabilities of about 937 million yen. This marked the disappearance of department stores from Yamagata Prefecture. The building's ownership was later abandoned by the bankruptcy trustee in 2024.

The history of Marine5 Shimizuya begins in June 1950, when Tomijiro Aotsuka founded Shimizuya Department Store (株式会社清水屋百貨店) in Sakata, Yamagata, building on Shimizuya Sewing Works. The store joined the Japan Department Stores Association in 1969. In 1973, the store expanded and installed the 'Mermaid Statue' by sculptor Muneaki Kiuchi at its entrance. That same year, it opened the restaurant 'Le Pot Feu', which became renowned for its French-style local cuisine using Shonai ingredients, earning praise from writer Kaiko Takeshi and critic Maruya Saiichi. In 1976, the Sakata Fire occurred nearby, but the store was spared. In 1978, it moved to the newly constructed Sakata Central Building (nicknamed Marine5) as its key tenant. In 1982, facing competition from other stores, it entered a capital and business alliance with Daiei. On September 1, 1994, Shimizuya merged with Nakago (中合) of Fukushima and was renamed 'Nakago Shimizuya Store'. The store reached peak sales of 5.3 billion yen in 1997, but thereafter faced declining sales due to competition from suburban shopping centers like Jusco Sakata Minami and Aeon Mall Mikawa, as well as the economic downturn after the Lehman Shock. By 2009, sales had fallen to 2.561 billion yen, less than half of the peak, and the store had recorded current losses for five consecutive years. In January 2011, Nakago announced its withdrawal by February 2012. In response, a local emergency committee was formed, and the building management company Marine5 decided to take over the department store business. In June 2011, Marine5 changed its name to Marine5 Shimizuya Co., Ltd. On February 23, 2012, it signed a partial transfer agreement with Nakago, and on March 5, 2012, the store reopened as 'Marine5 Shimizuya'. After renovations, it held a grand opening on October 3, 2012. The store introduced new tenants, including a large bookstore, a Yamada Denki franchise, and the first direct anime character goods and dōjinshi sections in a Japanese department store. It also opened restaurants 'Sakura' and 'Rhoasis'. However, the store continued to struggle. In the fiscal year ending March 2019, it fell into deficit. The COVID-19 pandemic further reduced customer traffic. In May 2021, president Goichi Narisawa died, and on July 1, 2021, the board decided to close and file for bankruptcy. The store closed on July 15, 2021, and on August 13, 2021, the Yamagata District Court Sakata Branch ordered the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings, with liabilities of about 937 million yen. This marked the complete disappearance of department stores from Yamagata Prefecture. In September 2024, the bankruptcy trustee announced that it was abandoning ownership of the land and building due to difficulties in selling them.

• Founded as Shimizuya Department Store by Tomijiro Aotsuka.

• Joined the Japan Department Stores Association.

• Old store expanded; Mermaid Statue installed at entrance.

• Restaurant 'Le Pot Feu' opened.

• Sakata Fire occurred nearby; store spared.

• Moved to Sakata Central Building (Marine5) as key tenant.

• Entered capital and business alliance with Daiei.

• Merged with Nakago; renamed 'Nakago Shimizuya Store'.

• Recorded peak sales of 5.3 billion yen.

• Nakago announced withdrawal by February 2012.

• Marine5 renamed to Marine5 Shimizuya Co., Ltd.

• Partial transfer agreement signed with Nakago.

• Reopened as 'Marine5 Shimizuya'.

• Grand opening after renovations.

• President Goichi Narisawa died.

• Board decided to close and file for bankruptcy.

• Store closed.

• Bankruptcy proceedings commenced by Yamagata District Court Sakata Branch.

• Bankruptcy trustee announced abandonment of land and building ownership.

A local department store in the Shonai region, known for cultural events and French cuisine, later struggling against suburban competition.

• Le Pot Feu

  French-style local cuisine restaurant using Shonai ingredients.

• Mermaid Statue

  Sculpture by Muneaki Kiuchi, installed at store entrance.

• Anime character goods section

  First direct anime goods section in a Japanese department store.

• Dōjinshi section

  First direct dōjinshi section in a Japanese department store.

1. 1マリーン5清水屋 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
2. 2Marine5 Shimizuya - Wikidatawikidata.org