On the 18th, a preview was held for "MARK IS Minatomirai" (3-5-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture), a commercial facility operated by Mitsubishi Estate that will open in Yokohama's Minatomirai district on the 21st.

The facility is the second in the "MARK IS" series, which opened in Shizuoka in April. It is directly connected to Yokohama Minatomirai Station on the Yokohama Minatomirai Line and is an eight-minute walk from JR Sakuragicho Station via a moving walkway. The facility will have a floor area of approximately 43,000 square meters and will house 189 stores. Of these, 13 will be new business formats, 42 will be opening in the prefecture for the first time, and seven will be opening in a commercial facility for the first time. It will be the largest commercial facility in the Minatomirai 21 district. The goal is annual sales of 25 billion yen. "Based on the concept of a 'life entertainment mall,' the mall's merchandising is centered around three-generation families, from young families raising children to their parents, and targets everyone from Yokohama's uptown neighborhoods to couples," said Toma Susumu, the mall's director. "More than 70% of the stores are opening in Minato Mirai for the first time, differentiating it from surrounding facilities. We aimed for a tenant mix that is somewhere between the suburbs and the city center. The commercial area is set within a 5-10km radius on weekdays, and within a 20km radius on weekends, including areas like Kohoku Ward, Fujisawa, Shonan, and the Miura Peninsula, as well as areas north of Futako-Tamagawa." Regarding the surrounding area, he explained, "The spatial concept is a 'multi-level urban park.' We've set up a 1,000-square-meter orchard on the fifth floor, planted with Shonan Gold grapes bred in Kanagawa Prefecture, and are planning events such as harvesting experiences. We also aim for a relaxing space with more than 30 seating areas." Mitsubishi Estate, which has been developing the Minato Mirai area, aims to create a place of relaxation for local residents by complementing and coordinating with existing facilities such as Yokohama Landmark Tower, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary this July, and M.M. Towers, the area's first. Notable stores include RHC Ron Herman, a new store format from California-based select shop Ron Herman; HUMOR MARKET by A-net, a select shop stocking A-net brands; Journal Standard's first three-category combined shop offering apparel, furniture, and food and beverage; and WEST END RULE by Maker's Shirt Kamakura, a new store format produced by Maker's Shirt Kamakura.

In addition, in August, the world's first experiential entertainment facility using the latest digital technology will open on the 5th and 6th floors, in collaboration with SEGA and BBC Worldwide Limited.