Until about 10 years ago, the central shopping arcade around the Heiwa-dori street in Naha was deserted, with most stores closed and few visitors in sight, but in recent years the area has been transformed into one of the city's best dining spots.
Ryoma Arakaki, 35, who runs the Showamura Group izakaya (Japanese-style pub) chain stores on Heiwa-dori and other streets, says the area has become popular for its "Asian atmosphere" created by street stalls. “There is no information about vacant stores on real estate sites, as restaurant operators decide on the next tenants among themselves,” Arakaki says.
Rent prices per tsubo (3.3 square meters) have soared to two to three times what they were 10 years ago.