Ito-Yokado closes store that inspired ‘Crayon Shin-chan’ supermarket

Kasukabe, Saitama Pref. –

Supermarket chain Ito-Yokado on Sunday closed its store in Kasukabe, Saitama Prefecture, which was known as the model for the “Sato-Kokonokado” store featured in the popular anime series “Crayon Shin-chan.”

Many customers and fans gathered and gave applause and words of gratitude when the store was closed.

“Sato-Kokonokado is still active in anime,” the studio that makes “Crayon Shin-chan” said in a statement.

The closure was part of efforts by Seven & I Holdings, Ito-Yokado’s parent company, to restructure its struggling supermarket business.

The Kasukabe store opened in 1972 and moved to its current location in 1996.

“I came to the store to say goodbye,” said a 53-year-old woman from Noda, Chiba Prefecture, who hails from Kasukabe, saying she had already shopped at the store before the move.

“The store appears in the anime. I didn’t want (the operator) to close it,” said a 26-year-old man from the city of Akishima in western Tokyo.

Seven & I Holdings announced a restructuring plan last month that will see the company focus on its supermarket business in an effort to counter a takeover bid from Canadian supermarket chain Alimentation Couche-Tard. The Japanese company is also considering a management buyout.