Tsuchizaki Shopping Center
A former AEON-operated shopping center in Akita City, Japan, anchored by the AEON Tsuchizakiminato store and closed on February 28, 2026.
Last updated September 27, 2026
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Overview
Tsuchizaki Shopping Center (土崎ショッピングセンター), also known by the nickname Sunport Tsuchizaki (サンポート土崎), was a shopping center in Tsuchizaki Minato, Akita City, Akita Prefecture, Japan. It opened on December 15, 1979, as the first large-scale shopping center in the Tsuchizaki district, with JUSCO Tsuchizakiminato Store as its core tenant. The center was developed on the site of the former Tohoku Seiko steelworks, which had relocated to Terauchi in Akita City. The project was initially proposed by Nishiuwa JUSCO, a predecessor of MaxValu Tohoku, before the operating entity was changed to JUSCO. The opening followed years of consultation with local commercial stakeholders concerned about the impact of large-scale retail development on existing shopping streets. The center was operated by AEON Tohoku Co., Ltd., a regional operating company of the AEON Group. Its core store was renamed from JUSCO Tsuchizakiminato Store to AEON Tsuchizakiminato Store on March 1, 2011, as part of the group-wide rebranding from JUSCO to AEON. The store was the third JUSCO store in Akita Prefecture, after JUSCO Akita Store (now Akita Opa) and JUSCO Yokote Store (closed in 2001). Through the 1990s, it was the top-selling JUSCO store in the prefecture by sales per unit area, although it did not match the total sales of JUSCO Goshono Store (now AEON Style Goshono). The shopping center was known locally by the affectionate nickname "Saki Jus" (崎ジャス). It housed a mix of tenants, including banks, an ATM corner, a drugstore, a 100-yen shop, and other specialty retailers. Over the years, it adapted to changes in the retail environment, including the introduction of AEON Bank ATMs in 2007, a renovation in 2016, and the launch of Wolt delivery services in 2024. The center also engaged in community activities, such as disaster-relief agreements with Akita City and Akita Prefecture, and received recognition from local police for cooperation in traffic safety and support for elderly shoppers. On September 25, 2025, local newspaper reporting revealed that AEON Tsuchizakiminato Store would close on February 28, 2026. A clearance sale began on December 11, 2025. The store operated until 6:00 p.m. on its final day, with employees and the store manager offering closing greetings near the first-floor entrance. At the time of closure, it was the second-oldest AEON-branded store in the Tohoku region, after AEON Aomori Store, the core store of Sunroad Aomori. The site is planned for redevelopment, but as of January 29, 2026, the scale and details of the replacement had not been decided.
History
The Tsuchizaki district of Akita City had a traditional shopping street, but by the 1970s it faced declining customer traffic as shoppers increasingly traveled to central Akita City. In 1976, the prefecture, city, and chamber of commerce commissioned a commercial diagnosis of the Tsuchizaki area. The study found that many shopping streets, except for parts of Tsuchizaki Minato Chuo 1-chome and 3-chome, suffered from outdated management and delayed structural improvements, and that small retailers were at a significant disadvantage compared to stores near Akita Station and Hirokoji. The report recommended introducing a large-scale store in central Tsuchizaki while urging special consideration for existing shopping streets. Following this, Tohoku Seiko, which had operated in the area, relocated to Terauchi in Akita City, freeing up its former site. Nishiuwa JUSCO, a predecessor of MaxValu Tohoku, expressed interest in opening a store there. The project entity was later changed from Nishiuwa JUSCO to JUSCO. At the time, other large-scale stores, including Tsurumai, also announced plans for the Tsuchizaki area. After repeated consultations with local commercial stakeholders regarding sales floor area adjustments, Tsuchizaki Shopping Center opened on December 15, 1979, as the first large-scale shopping center in the Tsuchizaki district. Its core store was JUSCO Tsuchizakiminato Store. The center was nicknamed Sunport Tsuchizaki. Actor Yusuke Kawazu appeared as a one-day store manager on opening day. In November 1999, the store was expanded. As a JUSCO store in Akita Prefecture, it was the third to open, following JUSCO Akita Store (now Akita Opa) and JUSCO Yokote Store (closed in 2001). Through the 1990s, it was the top-selling JUSCO store in the prefecture by sales per unit area, though it did not match the total sales of JUSCO Goshono Store (now AEON Style Goshono). In the 1990s, there were discussions about relocating near Akita Port, and in the 2000s, about relocating to the Asahikawa area of Akita City, but these plans stalled due to concerns about maintaining sales after a move. In June 2000, the nearby Akita Kumiai General Hospital (now Akita Kosei Medical Center) relocated to Iijima in Akita City, raising concerns about reduced customer traffic, but the center's community-focused operations prevented a major sales decline. On December 15, 2009, the center celebrated its 30th anniversary. A commemorative ceremony was held, featuring the unveiling of a commemorative painting donated by manga artist Yoshimi Kurata, with local residents, AEON honorary chairman Takuya Okada, and Governor Norihisa Satake in attendance. At the time of its closure, it was the second-oldest AEON-branded store in the Tohoku region, after AEON Aomori Store, the core store of Sunroad Aomori. On September 25, 2025, local newspaper reporting revealed that AEON Tsuchizakiminato Store would close on February 28, 2026. A clearance sale began on December 11, 2025. On the closing day, February 28, 2026, the store operated until 6:00 p.m., and employees and the store manager offered closing greetings near the first-floor entrance. The site is planned for redevelopment, but as of January 29, 2026, the scale and details of the replacement had not been decided.
Tsuchizaki Shopping Center opens as the first large-scale shopping center in the Tsuchizaki district, with JUSCO Tsuchizakiminato Store as core tenant.
Store expanded.
About 230 cosmetic items worth approximately 1.14 million yen stolen from the first-floor cosmetics counter.
Akita City and JUSCO Tsuchizakiminato Store sign an agreement on the supply of emergency daily necessities during disasters.
First AEON Bank ATM in Akita Prefecture installed.
AEON Co., Ltd. transitions to a pure holding company; AEON Retail Co., Ltd. inherits the retail business.
30th anniversary ceremony held at Hotel Yamato.
Akita Prefecture and AEON Retail Tohoku Company sign an agreement on the supply of daily necessities during disasters.
JUSCO Tsuchizakiminato Store renamed AEON Tsuchizakiminato Store.
Akita Prefecture and AEON Co., Ltd. sign a comprehensive partnership agreement with 11 items.
Products and positioning
Regional community shopping center anchored by a general merchandise store, serving the Tsuchizaki port district of Akita City.
General merchandise
Groceries
Apparel
Household goods
Drugstore items
Banking services (ATM)
Specialty retail
Sources6 sources
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