Until about 10 years ago, the central shopping arcade around the Heiwa-dori street in Naha was deserted, with most stores closed and few visitors in sight, but in recent years the area has been transformed into one of the city¡¯s best dining spots.
Ryoma Arakaki, 35, who runs the Showamura Group izakaya (Japanese-style pub) chain stores on Heiwa-dori and other streets, says the area has become popular for its ¡°Asian atmosphere¡± created by street stalls. ¡°There is no information about vacant stores on real estate sites, as restaurant operators decide on the next tenants among themselves,¡± Arakaki says.
Rent prices per tsubo (3.3 square meters) have soared to two to three times what they were 10 years ago.
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