After WW2, the neighbourhood used to be a military base camp during the war, started redevelopment along with privatization of a military’s tramway close by. In 1958, a shop founder Katsuo Watanabe bought the land, renovated first floor of the building, and opened a small grocery shop “Watanabe Katsuo Market”. In the beginning, there were no supermarkets in this area. Later, the shop became locally known as the only market that people could buy groceries and daily necessities from.

With more customers, the shop carried a growing variety of products, extending the shop space. Then, the shop settled into “Watanabe Store”.

For providing fresh vegetables and seafood, the Watanabe Store has become known as the best grocery shop in the area.