Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens has won the Silver Award at the Japan SC Awards, chosen from among more than 3,000 shopping centers nationwide.
By the way, the Grand Prize went to LUCUA Osaka〜
So what exactly are the “Japan SC Awards”?
It’s basically the top showdown in the SC（shopping center） world, held every two years and judged on five criteria, including contribution to the local community, partnerships with tenants, and SDGs initiatives. In addition to Gold, Silver, and Bronze, there are also category awards, and this was the 10th edition.
The 3 Points That Earned Gardens High Marks
- A major renewal that improved walkability… A new kids’ space on the 5th floor of the main building and the renewal of 45 stores helped boost sales!
- Industry-academia collaboration involving the community and schools… They worked with Konan University and Shoin High School to hold the environmental event “Blue Earth Project.”
- Enhanced baby rooms and rooftop Sky Garden… With artificial turf installed, families have really been gathering there〜
There’s now artificial turf on the UNIQLO side of the Sky Garden〜
And there’s a Starbucks in the T building〜
The hugely talked-about “BAKERY RESTAURANT C,” where kids can enjoy all-you-can-eat bread, has also opened〜.
They’ve Actually Been a Regular Winner Before
| Edition | Year | Award |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 2013 | Gold Award🏆 |
| 10th | 2025 | Silver Award🥈 |
On top of that, in the tenant-selected “Developer Award,” they won the Grand Prize for four years in a row, so they’re truly a seasoned award-winning powerhouse. This year they got the runner-up prize〜
On May 1 and 2, dinosaurs will also be coming to Sky Gardens!! Maybe the title of “theme park of the shopping mall world” is right within reach?!
Final Thoughts
Gardens isn’t just a place with tons of stores. It has rooftop fountains, live performances, stargazing events, and student-led events too. The way it blends a strong local feel with a polished, professional atmosphere is really impressive. And it’s right here in Nishinomiya, which makes me happy〜〜
