KAZUKIN likes AEON Mall.
Especially on rainy days, windy days, too-hot days and too-cold days.
In other words, the less you want to go outside, the more AEON Mall shines.
A giant town unaffected by weather
Park the car, step inside, and it's a giant town unaffected by weather.
No rain.
No wind.
Cool in summer, warm in winter.
This is what civilization means.
Everyone has made the same plan
On the last day of a long weekend, AEON Mall is also quite crowded.
Everyone is thinking the same thing, I suppose.
There's not enough energy left for a long trip.
But ending the day at home feels a bit lonely.
Then go to the nearby AEON Mall, play moderately, and be ready to withdraw quickly by evening.
A perfect plan.
And as a result of everyone making the same plan, the parking lot gets crowded.
The plan has been completely read.
A theme park for kids
Outlets are good too.
Just walking while looking at famous brands lifts your mood, and there's the fun of hunting for finds.
But in terms of handling families with small children, AEON Mall may take the prize.
There's a movie theater.
There's an arcade.
There are toys.
There's stationery.
There's a bookstore.
There's a food court.
A bit of a walk away, there's ice cream.
To a child, it's close to a theme park.
Even if they're bored beside a parent looking at clothes,
“Then let's go to the arcade next.”
With that one sentence, the negotiation is settled.
Having many options is strong.
If they tire of shopping, there's a movie.
If they're not interested in movies, there are games.
If they don't play games, there's stationery.
I don't know why choosing a single eraser takes so long.
But the kids look happy.
I can only be grateful to AEON for providing such a wonderful place all over the country.
Of course it's popular.
Of course visitors increase.
And when visitors increase, naturally, a battle begins.
Yes.
Grabbing a food court seat.
The food court's quiet war
The lunchtime food court is no longer a place to eat.
Those searching for empty seats.
Those carrying their food.
Those waiting for family.
Those who've secured a seat and are quietly savoring victory.
It is a giant battlefield where various intentions intersect.
Waiting customers stand near families who look about to finish.
At first they watch from a bit of distance.
But when the drink is half left, they step closer.
When they start gathering the trash on the tray, one more step.
The moment a child stands up, the distance closes at once.
They gradually close the gap.
...There was a game once called “Fruits Basket,” wasn't there.
That comes to mind.
In a game, you can laugh while fighting over seats.
But their eyes in the food court aren't laughing.
They're aiming.
Completely aiming for the next seat.
The people who finished eating notice that gaze too.
They don't say “we're leaving now...”
but hold their trays hesitantly and hurriedly give up the seats.
They may have wanted to rest a little more.
Maybe look at their phones.
Maybe linger in the afterglow of the meal.
Poor things...
The moment a seat opens, the waiting family slides in.
But don't relax.
Sometimes you meet eyes with another family aiming for the same seat.
A moment of silence.
And then begins a silent negotiation.
“We were waiting first, weren't we?”
“No, we were closer, weren't we?”
Nobody says it aloud.
But their eyes say everything.
KAZUKIN is bad at this seat-grabbing.
I'm bad at waiting beside a seat that might open.
Bad at competing with other families.
Bad at pressuring people who've finished eating.
As a result, I walk lap after lap.
Walking with udon in hand.
Walking with ramen in hand.
As I do, the food gradually cools.
I can't find a seat.
My arms get tired.
And I think.
“Maybe I'll just eat in the car...”
But the car is far.
AEON Mall is big.
Summary
Even so, KAZUKIN heads to AEON Mall again.
You can walk regardless of weather, shop, eat, and kids can have fun too.
Even if I buy nothing special, just one lap around the mall somehow makes me feel I've enjoyed my holiday.
AEON Mall.
An extremely reliable ally for holidays spent nearby.
Just, for the lunchtime food court, be ready.
KAZUKIN murmurs quietly again today while hunting for an empty seat.
AEON Mall is great, right?
KAZUKIN Rating
- ☔ All-roundness unaffected by weather — ★★★★★
- 🅿️ Parking-lot war on the last day of a long weekend — ★★☆☆☆
- 🎮 Theme-park level for kids — ★★★★★
- 🍽️ Difficulty of grabbing a food court seat — ★☆☆☆☆
- 👪 Handling of families (versus outlets) — ★★★★★
This article is a personal opinion. KAZUKIN LAB has no relationship with AEON Mall. I'm just a customer who loves AEON Mall. Store names and information are as of writing and may change. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
The illustration is an image based on KAZUKIN's experience. It may differ from real stores and dishes. It is not an official photo or advertisement.