Travel

usonian

(27,543 posts) Mon Jul 13, 2026, 11:06 AM Yesterday

The magic of zakkyo buildings Japan has found a better way to build a downtown.

https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/a-better-way-to-build-a-downtown

I hang around with a lot of urbanists, and pretty much all urbanists love mixed-use development — shops and restaurants coexisting alongside houses and apartments. But mixed-use development comes in different forms, and Japan does things a bit differently from most of the world’s large, dense cities.

In this post I’m going to distinguish between two types of mixed-use development. Shop-top development, which is common in dense cities all over the world, puts apartment buildings on top of restaurants and stores. Zakkyo buildings, which are a kind of development seen mostly in Japan, have stores on all the floors.

A similar building in San Francisco, the San Francisco Centre, aka Westfield Mall, flopped, and was just sold to developers.

6 replies

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The magic of zakkyo buildings Japan has found a better way to build a downtown. (Original Post) usonian Yesterday OP

With my luck, the restaurant owner below me Ilsa Yesterday #1

Well, if all occupants of the building are merchants, they all collect fire insurance as well. (hopefully, not life ins) usonian Yesterday #2

If it makes you feel better Old Crank Yesterday #4

They also have all your daily amenities available in shops around train stations jmbar2 Yesterday #3

Here in Munich most Subway stations have stores next to them of various types. Old Crank Yesterday #5

I envy those who live in walkable cities. jmbar2 23 hrs ago #6

Ilsa

(64,844 posts)

1. With my luck, the restaurant owner below me

Reply to usonian (Original post)

Mon Jul 13, 2026, 11:23 AM

Yesterday

would decide to burn his cafe down for the insurance money.

usonian

(27,543 posts)

2. Well, if all occupants of the building are merchants, they all collect fire insurance as well. (hopefully, not life ins)

Reply to Ilsa (Reply #1)

Mon Jul 13, 2026, 11:27 AM

Yesterday

Good reason for the insurance companies to hire and station a firefighter at each building!

Old Crank

(7,497 posts)

4. If it makes you feel better

Reply to Ilsa (Reply #1)

Mon Jul 13, 2026, 01:43 PM

Yesterday

Multistory buildings are usually sprinklered. Plus there would be a greater fire separation between the commercial and residential floors. Now smoke and or water damage...

jmbar2

(8,315 posts)

3. They also have all your daily amenities available in shops around train stations

Reply to usonian (Original post)

Mon Jul 13, 2026, 11:43 AM

Yesterday

Makes it so easy to pick up dinner, or run errands on your walk home. I loved that about living in Japan.

Old Crank

(7,497 posts)

5. Here in Munich most Subway stations have stores next to them of various types.

Reply to jmbar2 (Reply #3)

Mon Jul 13, 2026, 01:49 PM

Yesterday

Except on Sunday or holidays when they are closed. Bakeries, mostly, are open. You can also break up your trip to shop. For me I can take the U6 from downtown, get off at Harras, hit the Turkish market, then get on the bus that stops 100 meters from my house. One one way ticket. The bus stop I would use has a market right there also and the next stop down too.

jmbar2

(8,315 posts)

6. I envy those who live in walkable cities.

Reply to Old Crank (Reply #5)

Mon Jul 13, 2026, 03:27 PM

23 hrs ago

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