This is a shopping center. It’s also a window into the past.
It’s a place where you can still see traces of the American-ruled Okinawa. This is where Japan came face-to-face with another culture.
It’s a place with a rich variety of shops and restaurants, and a large parking lot to welcome you.
This is Plaza House, the first shopping center in Japan.
Company Outline
| Location | 3-1-12 Kubota Okinawa city Okinawa |
|---|---|
| Tel. | 81-98-932-4480 |
| Fax. | 81-98-933-7511 |
| Capital | 30,000,000YEN |
| President | Yoshino Taira |
| Employee | 120 |
| Business | Retails, Wholesale, Restaurant, Import/Export, Hotel, Development of Shopping Center |
| Wholesale to | The Terrace Hotels/ Department RYUBO |
| Line of Goods | Garments, bags and shoes imported from Europe and the US. Watch, Liquor and Wine, Cosmetics, Hand crafts. |
| Special Agent | GUERLAIN, BALLY, OLEA ESSENCE, HAWAIIAN HOST, CHLOE,CATHERINE ANDRE ,PARKER |
| Affiliate | A&W Okinawa.inc, Ivano.inc, Asia Paint, Royal Trading.itd |
Company History
| 1953 | Established ROYAL TRADING.co.ltd, in Hong Kong, as a basis of Plaza House inc. |
|---|---|
| 1954 | Opened international department store in Okinawa city, which selected choice articles from all over the world. Specially authorized by the Government of Ryukyu Islands, mainly for army civilian employees and their families. |
| 1956 | Established Rogers.inc for an import fashion business, and RC Williams.inc for the real estate business. |
| 1960 | Tourists from mainland Japan traveled Okinawa for the first time in the era of American possession. From then, Plaza House attracted the tourists attention as one of the most unique import shops in all over Japan. |
| 1997 | At the year of 45th Anniversary, RC Williams.inc , Rogers. Inc and Royal trading co. was merged into Plaza House.inc to develop and open a new building “ FAIR MALL”, as expansion of Plaza House Shopping Center. |
| 1999 | Awarded “ System Competition” by Ministry of International trade and industry, highly acclaimed its architectural advantage to fell and enjoy nature of Okinawa. Held “Bali Fair” in August, to cerebrate and enjoy the Balinese Culture which has so many common points with those of Okinawa. For the event, Plaza House invited more than 50 balinese artist, dancers and chefs from Indonesia and succeeded to promote cultural exchanges between the two islands. |
| 2009 | Yoshino Taira was inaugurated as a president of Plaza House.inc |
| 2014 | As an anniversary of 60th, held “ Welcome! Rycom! Plaza House Summer Bingo！” with all the tenants. More than 1500 people joined the Bingo game for 2 days,. |
| 2015 | Project supported by the Ministry of Economy and Industry, “ GATE WAY TO RYCOM ANTHROPOLOGY” has launched. Set a big digital signage at the gate of shopping center, and opened photo gallery “ Rycom Anthropology” which exhibit the monochrome photos of energetic and livery peoples, back in the era of Okinawa under American possessions. |
| 2016 | Awarded “Habataku- Shotengai 30” as highly acclaimed one of the best 30 shopping center/street in all over the Japan, its uniqueness and incentive challenges to promote local business and cultures. |
Founder Charles Shi Shon
（1924〜1977）
He arrived in Okinawa in 1947. He operated a restaurant and Sanguwa tailor within the military base with special permission. The next year, in 1948, he opened Shon’s bakery under the brand name “JO-TO-PAN” under a special contract with the military. Further, in 1950, he established Bireleys California Oranges Okinawa together with Mr. D.E. McGuire. Later, in July 1954, he opened Plaza House. He worked for 23 years as CEO, until May 1977, throughout which he strove to develop the company, and made enormous contributions both to the current Plaza House and to Okinawan tourism as a whole.