EBISTA Nishinomiya

EBISTA Nishinomiya (エビスタ西宮) is a shopping center located beneath the elevated tracks of Hanshin Electric Railway's Nishinomiya Station in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It is anchored by a branch of Hanshin Department Store and comprises approximately 71 specialty shops. The name "EBISTA" is derived from "Ebessan," the familiar name of Nishinomiya Shrine, and the English word "station." The facility opened in 2003 with 31 specialty shops and has since expanded significantly. The center's core is the Hanshin Department Store food floor, known for its "depachika" (department store basement food hall) featuring freshly made delicatessen items and Japanese and Western confections. Benefiting from a local market with few large competing stores after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the store performed well, achieving first-year sales of approximately 5.7 billion yen, exceeding its target. Although it has not surpassed that first-year figure since, it remains the top-performing branch among Hanshin Department Store locations. In October 2018, EBISTA Nishinomiya underwent a major expansion, increasing its total floor area to approximately 25,000 square meters and growing to 71 specialty shops. The expansion included a new three-story steel-frame building on the north side facing the bus rotary, housing new stores and a food court called "STREET KITCHEN" on the first floor. The center also includes a variety of tenants such as McDonald's, Starbucks Coffee, Muji, Matsumoto Kiyoshi, and others. EBISTA Nishinomiya is directly accessible from Hanshin Nishinomiya Station and is served by Hanshin Bus routes. It remains an active shopping destination in the region, with ongoing events and promotions. The facility is managed by Hanshin Department Store, a subsidiary of the Hanshin Electric Railway group (now part of Hankyu Hanshin Holdings).

EBISTA Nishinomiya opened in 2003 beneath the elevated tracks of Hanshin Electric Railway's Nishinomiya Station in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. The name combines "Ebessan," the affectionate name for Nishinomiya Shrine, and "station." Initially, it housed 31 specialty shops alongside a Hanshin Department Store branch. The department store's food floor, known for its freshly prepared delicatessen items and Japanese and Western confections, became a key draw. Benefiting from a market with few large competitors after the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the center achieved first-year sales of approximately 5.7 billion yen, surpassing its target. While it has not exceeded that first-year figure since, it remains the top-performing Hanshin Department Store branch. In 2015, the center underwent a renovation, and talent Norikazu Hiruko was featured in promotional posters. A major expansion followed on October 29, 2018, increasing the total floor area to approximately 25,000 square meters and expanding the number of specialty shops to 71. The expansion included a new three-story steel-frame building on the north side facing the bus rotary, which introduced new stores and relocated some existing tenants. A food court named "STREET KITCHEN" was opened on the first floor facing the bus rotary. Prior to the expansion, the north exit area had featured a restaurant using a retired Hanshin Bus vehicle. The center continues to operate with a diverse tenant mix, including Hanshin Department Store, McDonald's, Starbucks Coffee, Muji, Matsumoto Kiyoshi, and many others. It remains directly accessible from Hanshin Nishinomiya Station and is served by Hanshin Bus routes. On December 13, 2022, a Hanshin Bus vehicle crashed into the food court bakery 'R-Baker' after the driver mistakenly pressed the accelerator, injuring three people. The driver was arrested, and the bus was removed later that day.

• 2022

  Hanshin Bus crashes into the food court bakery 'R-Baker' on December 13, injuring three people.

• 2018

  Major expansion on October 29; total floor area reaches approximately 25,000 m² and specialty shops increase to 71. Food court 'STREET KITCHEN' opens.

• 2015

  Renovation; talent Norikazu Hiruko featured in promotional posters.

• 2003

  EBISTA Nishinomiya opens with 31 specialty shops and a Hanshin Department Store branch.

A station-integrated shopping center anchored by Hanshin Department Store, serving the local community with a strong food hall and a wide range of specialty shops.

• Hanshin Department Store food floor (depachika)

  Known for freshly made delicatessen items and Japanese and Western confections.

• STREET KITCHEN food court

  Food court on the first floor facing the bus rotary, opened in the 2018 expansion.

1. 1エビスタ西宮 公式サイトebista.com
2. 2エビスタ西宮 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
3. 3EBISTA Nishinomiya - Wikidatawikidata.org