Plie Himeji

Plie Himeji (PLiE HIMEJI) was a shopping center located under the elevated tracks of JR Himeji Station in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It was developed as part of the station-area commercial facilities associated with West Japan Railway Company (JR West). The name Plie was derived from the phrase 'Precious Life in Eki,' meaning 'a quality life from the station to you,' reflecting its positioning as a station-integrated retail destination. The facility opened in December 2008, with a soft opening on December 4 and a grand opening on December 22, timed to coincide with the elevated track switchover of the Bantan and Kishin lines. It consisted of several zones: the main Plie area west of the east ticket gate, with around 56 specialty stores targeting young women; the Plie Gochisou-kan east of the east ticket gate, with about 14 food-related stores; and the Plie Omiyage-kan south of the central ticket gate, with around 20 souvenir stores. The main Plie building was a two-story structure featuring a large open atrium, marketed with the catchphrase 'the impressive large atrium space.' A Junku-do bookstore was located on the second floor. In March 2011, the Gochisou-kan and Omiyage-kan sections opened. On April 30, 2013, the facility was integrated into the new station building and renamed 'piole Himeji,' unifying the station's commercial spaces under a single brand. As a result, Plie Himeji ceased to exist as a separate brand, and its former areas became piole Himeji's two buildings and the piole Gochisou-kan and piole Omiyage-kan. Plie Himeji was a station commercial facility rather than a standalone retail chain, and its history is closely tied to the redevelopment of Himeji Station and JR West's station retail strategy. It served commuters, tourists, and local shoppers, offering fashion, food, and souvenirs in a convenient station-adjacent location.

Plie Himeji was established as part of the redevelopment of JR Himeji Station in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. The shopping center opened under the elevated railway tracks, a common location for JR West's station commercial facilities. A soft opening was held on December 4, 2008, followed by a grand opening on December 22, 2008, coinciding with the switchover of the Bantan Line and Kishin Line to elevated tracks. The name 'Plie' was derived from 'Precious Life in Eki' (eki meaning station), reflecting the concept of bringing a quality lifestyle from the station to customers. The main Plie area, located west of the east ticket gate, featured around 56 specialty stores aimed at young women. It was a two-story building with a large open atrium, and a Junku-do bookstore occupied the second floor. The catchphrase 'the impressive large atrium space' highlighted this architectural feature. In March 2011, two additional sections opened: Plie Gochisou-kan (food hall) east of the east ticket gate with about 14 stores, and Plie Omiyage-kan (souvenir hall) south of the central ticket gate with about 20 stores. The Omiyage-kan location had previously housed Station Plaza Himeji. On April 30, 2013, the facility was integrated into the new station building and renamed 'piole Himeji,' unifying the station's commercial spaces under the piole brand. The former Plie areas became piole's two buildings, and the Gochisou-kan and Omiyage-kan became piole Gochisou-kan and piole Omiyage-kan. As a result, Plie Himeji ceased to exist as a distinct brand. The integration was part of JR West's broader strategy to consolidate its station retail operations under the piole brand, which is used at several stations in the region.

• 2013

  Integrated into new station building and renamed piole Himeji.

• 2011

  Plie Gochisou-kan and Plie Omiyage-kan open.

• 2008

  Soft opening under JR Himeji Station elevated tracks.

• 2008

  Grand opening coinciding with Bantan and Kishin line elevated track switchover.

Station-integrated shopping center targeting young women and commuters, offering fashion, food, and souvenirs.

• Specialty stores (fashion, miscellaneous goods)

• Food and dining (Gochisou-kan)

• Souvenirs (Omiyage-kan)

• Junku-do bookstore

1. 1Plie Himeji - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2プリエ姫路 - Wikipedia (Japanese)ja.wikipedia.org