[September 2020] Akihabara store closures: Jiro, Peking Chinese, and more

It's September!!
There are more and more days with low temperatures.
When I think about it, there are only three months left in this year.
I feel like each year passes by faster and faster.
Well, I've put together a list of store closures from last month, August.
※If you have any omissions or corrections, please contact us via Twitter (@akihabara_bc) or let us know in the comments.

Akihabara store closures in May 2020 (in chronological order)

closed:7 stores

Abura Soba Specialty Store Burabura Akihabara

Opening date: Wednesday, November 19, 2018
Closing date: Sunday, June 13, 2020

A yakisoba specialty restaurant located next to the entrance of the APA Hotel in the Suehirocho area.
I went there a few times during the opening sale.

https://akihabara-bc.jp/akihabara-aburasoba-burabura/

Dospara Akihabara Annex

Opening date: Friday, June 20, 2015
Closing date: Sunday, June 13, 2020

The annex was closed due to the merger of the Dospara Akihabara main store and annex.

Taiwanese Tapioca Specialty Shop Hi Cha Akihabara Branch

Opening date: Friday, June 20, 2019
Closing date: Tuesday, May 22, 2020

A Taiwanese tapioca specialty store that opened on the site of the former "Menya Kiwami."
There is a strong impression that stores across from Akihabara UDX tend to close within a year of opening.

Seafood Misaki Port Akihabara Branch

Opening date: Monday, April 2, 2019
Closing date: Saturday, May 26, 2020

A conveyor belt sushi restaurant located on the street opposite Lashinbang Akihabara New Building.
There is also a store nearby in Okachimachi.

Beijing Hotel Akihabara

Closing date: Tuesday, May 29, 2020

This Chinese restaurant was located on the basement floor of the building that housed the bankrupt game center "Kirakira Asobox."
The restaurant was cheap and had large portions, making it especially popular with office workers.

Kitchen Jiro Sotokanda store

Opening date: 1983
Closing date: Wednesday, May 30, 2020

The long-established Western food chain Kitchen Jiro has seen a decline in sales due to the effects of the coronavirus, forcing it to close 13 stores.
Among them, the Sotokanda store is the oldest, having opened in 58.
Going forward, it appears that the company will operate two stores: the Kudanshita store in Tokyo and a store in Osaka.
I hope they will return to Akihabara once their finances recover.

Hinomoto Hinai-ya Akihabara store

Opening date: Thursday, March 8, 2012
Closing date: Wednesday, May 30, 2020

An izakaya that served chicken dishes.
The "Hinaji Chicken Oyakodon" was especially popular and delicious.

Kamugen

Opening date: Friday, June 8, 2016
Closing date: Wednesday, May 30, 2020

It was a soba restaurant, but also sold rice balls.
One of the most popular rice balls is "Roast Beef Rice," which often sells out.

My Feelings, Then and Now

The shop that left the biggest impression on me was,Kitchen Jiro.
I often see these stores when I'm out and about in Tokyo, and I've always felt a sense of familiarity with them. That's why I was so surprised by the sudden news that 13 stores are closing. I hope they'll come back to Akihabara someday. It's also a shame as Peking Chinese Restaurant was a beloved restaurant.
Hi Cha and Kaisen Misaki Port closed quickly. Due to the effects of COVID-19 and the end of the tapioca boom, it seems that many restaurants will be closing from now until the end of the year.