Rakuse-nu

Rakuse-nu (ラクセーヌ) is a shopping center located in Oharano Higashisakaidani-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It opened in April 1982 as the commercial component of the "Town Center" integrated with the Rakusai New Town, alongside a bus terminal, government office complex, cultural center, banks, and post office. The facility was originally operated by the Rakusai New Town Management Public Corporation, a third-sector entity funded by Kyoto City. In April 2009, following administrative reforms, it was succeeded by the Rakusai Division of the Kyoto City Housing Supply Corporation. The name "Rakuse-nu" is a coined term combining "Rakusai" (洛西), the local area name, with the Seine River (セーヌ川) in Paris, likening the nearby Ogura River to the Seine; the nickname was chosen through a public competition. The center primarily serves residents of Rakusai New Town and surrounding areas. It faces challenges such as limited trade area and holiday customer attraction, partly due to chronic traffic congestion on National Route 9 connecting Kyoto and Kameoka. In recent years, it has faced competition from AEON Mall Kyoto Katsura, which opened about 3 km east in October 2014. Major tenants have included Takashimaya Rakusai Store, which operated for 44 years until closing on August 3, 2026, and Nitori Rakusai Rakuse-nu Store, which opened on November 20, 2015. The center underwent seismic retrofitting and renovation, temporarily closing from July 20, 2023, with partial reopening on November 1, 2023, and full reopening on December 15, 2023. This renovation was part of Kyoto City's "Rakusai SAIKO Project." After Takashimaya's closure, a satellite shop "Takashimaya Rose Shop Rakusai" opened on September 1, 2026, in a section of Rakuse-nu. The former Takashimaya site was sold to a developer planning condominiums for the elderly, with occupancy expected in autumn 2029.

Rakuse-nu opened in April 1982 as a shopping center operated by the Rakusai New Town Management Public Corporation, a third-sector entity funded by Kyoto City. It was developed as the commercial core of the "Town Center" of Rakusai New Town, integrated with a bus terminal, joint government office building, cultural center, banks, and a post office. The name "Rakuse-nu" was chosen through a public competition and is a coined term combining "Rakusai" (洛西), the local area name, with the Seine River (セーヌ川) in Paris, likening the nearby Ogura River to the Seine. In March 2006, Takashimaya underwent a renovation, strengthening high-end products to appeal to the baby boomer generation. On April 1, 2009, as part of reforms of external organizations, the facility's ownership and management were succeeded by the Rakusai Division of the Kyoto City Housing Supply Corporation. In May 2014, the vegetable specialty store "Kyoto Yaoichi" opened in Takashimaya Rakusai Store. On November 20, 2015, Nitori Rakusai Rakuse-nu Store opened, and the store area was expanded. In response to the opening of AEON Mall Kyoto Katsura about 3 km east on October 17, 2014, countermeasures were taken, including the renovation of the vegetable section and the opening of Nitori. From July 20, 2023, the center temporarily closed for seismic retrofitting and renovation. A partial area including a supermarket opened on November 1, 2023, and the entire facility reopened on December 15, 2023, with a ceremony held on December 13. This initiative was part of Kyoto City's "Rakusai SAIKO Project." On October 14, 2025, Takashimaya announced that its Rakusai Store would close on August 3, 2026. The store closed as scheduled on August 3, 2026, after 44 years of operation. A satellite shop, "Takashimaya Rose Shop Rakusai," opened on September 1, 2026, in a section of Rakuse-nu. The former Takashimaya site was sold to a developer of condominiums for the elderly, with occupancy expected to begin in autumn 2029.

• Opened as a shopping center operated by the Rakusai New Town Management Public Corporation.

• Takashimaya underwent renovation, strengthening high-end products for the baby boomer generation.

• Ownership and management succeeded by the Rakusai Division of the Kyoto City Housing Supply Corporation.

• Vegetable specialty store "Kyoto Yaoichi" opened in Takashimaya Rakusai Store.

• Nitori Rakusai Rakuse-nu Store opened; store area expanded.

• Temporarily closed for seismic retrofitting and renovation.

• Partial area including supermarket reopened ahead of full reopening.

• Full renovation reopening; ceremony held on December 13.

• Takashimaya announced closure of its Rakusai Store on August 3, 2026.

• Takashimaya Rakusai Store closed after 44 years.

• Takashimaya Rose Shop Rakusai opened as a satellite shop in Rakuse-nu.

Community shopping center serving Rakusai New Town and surrounding areas

• Nitori Rakusai Rakuse-nu Store

  Home furnishings store, opened November 20, 2015.

• Takashimaya Rakusai Store

  Department store, operated until August 3, 2026.

• Rakusai Dining

  Food court on the first floor, includes McDonald's.

1. 1ラクセーヌ 京都市西京区 自然に囲まれた洛西にあるショッピングセンターrakuseinu.com
2. 2ラクセーヌ - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
3. 3Rakuse-nu - Wikidatawikidata.org