New stores and eateries opened Tuesday at Narita International Airport, signaling the end to renovations of the shopping area at Terminal 1.
According to Narita International Airport Corp., the airport's operating company, the large-scale refurbishment that started in early March was aimed at "bringing the mall up to date and make it more convenient for customers."
Opened in 1999, the mall, which is located on the fourth floor of the Central Building, now has 73 shops offering such merchandise as shoes, hats, and arts and crafts.
At one of the 27 new shops, customers can purchase special towels from Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, that are famous for their softness and absorbability.
To satisfy those with a sweet tooth, reopened cafes and restaurants have included desserts made from recipes created by a well-known chef of Italian cuisine.
According to the operator, two fountains and an escalator have been removed to make way for more shopping space, which was expanded from about 5,100 to 5,900 sq. meters.
Shops have been redesigned and relocated to make it easier for customers to find their way around and browse the shelves.
In addition to adding square meters, the floors themselves have been redesigned, as have the ceiling, lighting and signs.
The cost of the refurbishment was about ¥960 million.