Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens

Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens is one of western Japan’s largest shopping malls, created through the redevelopment of the former Hankyu Nishinomiya Stadium (the old Hankyu Nishinomiya baseball park) site in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. Anchored by a Hankyu Department Store, TOHO Cinemas Nishinomiya OS, and Izumiya, it also features about 270 specialty shops. Nishinomiya is a consistent top-ranked city in “most desirable places to live in Kansai,” and neighboring Ashiya is known as an upscale residential area. Reflecting the demand for quality in the region, the mall includes select shops that open only in high-end neighborhoods and stores that rarely open in shopping centers. Access is about a 3-minute walk from Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi Station on the Hankyu Kobe Line. On the 4th floor of the main building is the symbol zone: the rooftop garden “Sky Garden,” landscaped with trees native to the Rokko mountain range as well as cherry and fruit trees, serving as a relaxing space for the community. Live performances and events are also frequently held on the rooftop stage, especially on weekends, drawing large crowds.