Perhaps you have noticed the blend of modern architecture. It merges seamlessly with the bustling atmosphere around Nishinomiya Kitaguchi Station. We are standing before ACTA Nishinomiya East. It is more than just a building. It is a symbol of resilience and reinvention.
ACTA Nishinomiya East is a redevelopment marvel. It stands proudly in Nishinomiya. This area was once a traditional commercial district. It thrived with about 230 shops including the Kita-guchi Market.
However, the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995 devastated this vibrant hub. The disaster inflicted catastrophic damage. Shops were ruined. The community was shaken.
In the aftermath, the community sought temporary refuge. They temporarily borrowed land from Hankyu Railway. This led to the creation of a temporary shopping center named “Pontelica Kitaguchi”. About 50 shops reopened their businesses there.
Simultaneously, discussions began to redevelop the area. After six years of urban planning and three years of construction, ACTA Nishinomiya East was inaugurated on April 20, 2001. The name ACTA comes from “Active Town Nishinomiya”.
The opening of ACTA Nishinomiya significantly improved the area. It facilitated the completion of the Nishinomiya Kitaguchi Station underpass. It greatly improved the traffic situation.
However, the reconstruction was not without challenges. Most shops in the pre-earthquake era were tenants. They needed to secure funds to purchase space in the new development. The cost of rent was high. Of the original 230 shops only about 70 moved into ACTA Nishinomiya East.
In 2008, the opening of Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens brought competition. This led to struggles for ACTA Nishinomiya East.
Let us explore what ACTA Nishinomiya East offers. ACTA Nishinomiya is divided into West and East buildings. ACTA Nishinomiya East has shops and the COOP Kobe supermarket. It also houses Akachan Honpo and Seria. You can also find the Yotsuya Gakuin educational institution here. It also houses the Nishinomiya City Kitaguchi Library and Gallery. It also features the Nishinomiya City University Exchange Center.
Originally, a large color video screen was installed on the south end. Now, that display is gone. It has been replaced with simple decoration.
Events often take place in the central open space on the second floor. On weekends, concerts called “ACTA Stage” take place here. In June 2020, a street piano was installed. It was the first in Nishinomiya.
As we conclude our visit to ACTA Nishinomiya East remember its story. It is a story of destruction and renewal. ACTA Nishinomiya East stands as a testament to the spirit of Nishinomiya.