What is Lumine in Japan? Exploring the Multifaceted World of Lumine
Lumine in Japan is a multifaceted entity, primarily known for its chain of fashion-forward shopping malls directly connected to major railway stations around Tokyo. However, the name “Lumine” also pops up in completely different contexts, including a popular video game character, a webtoon series, and even a business group. This article delves into the diverse aspects of “Lumine” in Japan, and aims to clarify each of them, with a focus on its presence as a shopping destination.
Lumine as a Shopping Mall: A Retail Powerhouse
The most prominent meaning of “Lumine” in Japan is its role as a retail brand owned by LUMINE Co., Ltd., a group company of East Japan Railway Company (JR East), the nation’s largest railway operator. This strategic connection to JR East allows Lumine malls to enjoy prime locations, usually directly integrated with major train stations. This means incredible foot traffic and a direct link to daily commuters and travelers, creating a very successful retail environment.
Lumine malls are known for their curated selection of shops, focusing on fashion, accessories, cosmetics, and lifestyle products. These malls aren’t just places to buy things; they are lifestyle destinations, often incorporating restaurants, cafes, and even entertainment options. With about 15 malls situated around the bustling Tokyo metropolitan area, Lumine has become a ubiquitous part of the city’s shopping landscape.
Lumine Shinjuku: A Case Study
One of the most notable Lumine locations is Lumine Shinjuku, which serves as a great example of what the Lumine experience is all about. Located just a minute’s walk from the busy Shinjuku Station South Exit, it provides convenient access for shoppers. This complex features around 230 shops, filled with fashion goods, beauty products, and gourmet dining spots. The shopping experience is highly valued, and a visit to Lumine Shinjuku is on many shopping lists while in Tokyo.
Lumine Est: The Largest in Shinjuku
Within the Shinjuku area, there are actually three separate Lumine malls. Lumine Est stands out as the largest. With 10 floors, including two basements, Lumine Est boasts nearly 300 shops, primarily focused on women’s fashion, accessories, shoes, and dining options. This huge variety in shops and options caters to a broad range of tastes and spending power, making Lumine Est a popular choice for both locals and tourists.
Beyond Shopping: Other Meanings of “Lumine”
While the shopping mall aspect is a major facet of Lumine’s identity in Japan, the name appears in other, seemingly unrelated areas, leading to some common confusions.
Lumine in Gaming and Webtoons
The name “Lumine” is also known in gaming circles, specifically as the name of one of the main playable characters in the incredibly popular game Genshin Impact. In this role, Lumine is the female twin sibling that players can choose to play as. The gender and name of the character can be selected, and if you play as the male character, Aether, then Lumine becomes the Princess of the Abyss. The popularity of this character has also lead to many shipping fans, especially when combined with the character Childe. In fact, “Lumine + Childe” has become a well-known ship within the community.
The name also has roots in a successful webtoon called simply “Lumine” created by Emma Krogell. This story follows the story of a young werewolf boy named Lumine, and is incredibly popular, with over 359 million views to date.
Lumine as a Verb and Business Name
In a completely different context, the word “lumine” is an obsolete Latin verb that means “to illuminate”. Furthermore, there’s the Lumine Group, a company that acquires and grows vertical market software companies. It’s an indirect subsidiary of Constellation Software Inc. and is publicly listed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lumine in Japan
To further clarify the different aspects of “Lumine,” here are some frequently asked questions:
1. What exactly are Lumine malls known for?
Lumine malls are renowned for their focus on fashionable apparel, cosmetics, and lifestyle products, along with a curated mix of restaurants and cafes. They typically house flagship stores of major brands. The strategic locations at major train stations make them highly accessible.
2. How many Lumine malls are there in Tokyo?
There are around 15 Lumine malls directly connected to major stations around Tokyo.
3. Are Lumine malls only for women?
While many shops within Lumine focus on women’s fashion, there are also stores offering men’s apparel, accessories, and lifestyle goods, and therefore caters to both genders.
4. Can foreign visitors enjoy tax-free shopping at Lumine?
Yes, Lumine Shinjuku and many other Lumine locations offer tax-free shopping to foreign tourists. Many shops inside a Lumine mall will be tax-free.
5. Is Lumine Est the only Lumine at Shinjuku Station?
No, there are three Lumine malls within Shinjuku Station: Lumine 1, Lumine 2, and Lumine Est. Lumine Est is the largest.
6. How is Lumine related to JR East?
LUMINE Co., Ltd. is a group company of East Japan Railway Company (JR East). This relationship is why Lumine malls are strategically located at major train stations.
7. What is the “Lumine” of Genshin Impact?
In Genshin Impact, Lumine is the female protagonist and the sister of the male protagonist, Aether. She can be selected as the main player character or become the Princess of the Abyss if you play as her brother.
8. Who created the Webtoon “Lumine”?
The webtoon “Lumine” was created by Emma Krogell.
9. Is the Lumine Group the same company as the Lumine malls?
No, the Lumine Group, which acquires software companies, is an entirely different entity from LUMINE Co., Ltd., which operates the shopping malls.
10. What does the name “Lumine” mean in Latin?
In Latin, “lumine” is an obsolete verb meaning “to illuminate.” It is related to the noun “lumen”, meaning “light”.
11. Is Lumine a popular “waifu” in gaming?
Yes, due to her role as a main character in Genshin Impact, Lumine is often seen as a “waifu” by many fans of the game, indicating a popular female character that they adore.
12. What does Lumine mean in Chinese?
The Chinese name for Lumine (荧, yíng) literally translates to “glow” or “to give off light without burning”.
13. Is Lumine a male or female character in the Webtoon “Lumine”?
In the webtoon “Lumine,” Lumine is a young male werewolf.
14. Is Lumine Group a public company?
Yes, Lumine Group is an indirect subsidiary of Constellation Software Inc. (TSX:CSU), which is a multi-billion dollar global public company. The Lumine Group shares also trade on the TSX Venture Exchange.
15. What is the most popular “ship” involving Lumine?
In the Genshin Impact fandom, the ship involving Lumine and Childe, known as “Lumine + Childe”, is extremely popular due to their interactions within the game.
Conclusion
The name “Lumine” represents a range of different entities in Japan. While Lumine primarily stands for the successful chain of shopping malls strategically located in and around Tokyo, particularly the major hubs like Shinjuku, it also refers to a beloved video game character, a popular webtoon, a Latin verb, and a public software company. Understanding these distinct meanings is essential to navigating the diverse world of “Lumine.” This article should provide a comprehensive guide to help you better understand what Lumine means when you encounter it in Japan.